Chapter 906 Chapter 906
Foster wanted to look at her, which he could do now that she was beside him, but seeing as he was driving, he couldn’t. Neither of them had said much since they left her clan. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, and that was unexpected.
“Sorry if I’m bad company. My animal is finally quiet, so I’m just enjoying that.”
He nodded and kept his eyes on the road. “I understand that. When I was driving—” He smiled at her. “—before, mine would not give me a break.” He looked at the sign as they drove past it. “We’re back where I left off.”
“You turned around here?”
“Yes.” He decided to keep the phone call with Gia to himself. Even if she hadn’t of told him to turn around, he would have ended up doing. After she’d hung up, he had continued for twenty minutes and then stopped in the middle of the lane and turned around. In hindsight, he probably should have made sure no cars were behind him.
“I can’t believe you did.”
He glanced at her, reached over, and took her hand. “I don’t think I had a choice. My coyote wouldn’t quit, my brain wouldn’t shut up, and my gut was in so many knots I wouldn’t have been able to eat my lunch.”
She smiled at him, and he wanted to sigh. Every time she did that, joy filled his heart. It was corny but still true.
“You keep looking at me like that.” Her eyes were sparkling.
“I’m just happy you’re here and a little surprised you’re really here.” His phone lit up. Foster looked to see it was Zain. He answered it and put it on speaker.
“I’ve just done a few circles,” Zain said.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve been trying to call Ena Clarke but couldn’t reach her, so I called Jesse.”
He looked to see her take her phone out of her pocket.
“First, congratulations to both of you. Second, if you’re listening, Ena, turn on your phone. An alpha needs to be reachable.
Foster grinned and watched her turn it on.
“Why have you been trying to call me?” Ena leaned closer to the dash.
Foster realized he was going to have to catch her up on technology.
“Hello. I’m Zain. I’m the coordinator for the team Foster is on.”
Foster snorted, “Also runs the new US headquarters.”
“Right. That too. Jesse gave Illias a list of members from your clan that have gone missing in the last thirty years and he’s found a few that have been rescued in the last year.”
Ena moved even closer and looked at the phone. His coyote was anxious. He realized she was probably thinking about her mother. Holding out his hand, he gave her an encouraging look when she put hers in it.
“You’re sure they’re from mine?”
“One was pretty young when he was taken, but he remembers Alpha Best, so that’s your clan.”
Ena nodded. “He’s all right?”
Zain sighed. “As much as he can be. He has stated he’d like to go home. I wasn’t sure with all the construction if you were prepared for more.”
Ena gave the phone a wide-eyed look. “Ah—who is it Zain?”
“Elliot Marshall”
Ena sucked in a breath. “That’s Savan’s brother. I don’t remember him really, but he’s Savan’s older brother.” She looked at Foster with shock on her face and then turned back to the phone. “I’ll talk to Savan, but I know he has room.”
“All right. I’ll wait to hear back from you before I call Rick Sumner and set up transport.
“Who is the other one?” She squeezed his hand.
“Elise Donnovan.”
Ena grabbed the phone out of the holder. “That’s Betty’s niece. Is she all right?”
“Health-wise, she’s okay now. There’s something else, though.”
“What?”
“She has a six-year-old son.”
Ena put her hand over her mouth. When Foster saw her eyes tear up, he almost slammed on the brakes. He kept driving, but if her emotions wound up any further, he would have to stop.
She dropped her hand. “Is he—healthy?”
“He is. I will let you discuss it with Betty Donnovan and get back to me.”
Ena nodded. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
“Ena, there’s more.”
“More people? You said two…”
“We have several records and ledgers; some we’re still climbing through. Four of the names from your clan are in some of the journals.”
“What does that mean?”
“They’re sales and shipping records.”
Ena looked at Foster, and he responded by checking no one was behind them and then pulled over.
“Do you know where they are, Zain?” He gently gook the phone out of Ena’s hand and held it.
“Locations we haven’t been to or ones out of the country.”
Foster nodded. “What about Taggart’s contacts? Are any near where they are?”
“Unsure. Taggart and Deva are on radio silence right now, but as soon as I know something, I’ll let you know.”
Ena nodded.
“Thanks, Zain. Can you send me the names?”
“Yeah, I’ll text them to you. I need to go, you be careful. Both of you.”
“We will, thanks.” Foster held the phone for a second, put it back in the holder, and took her other hand. “Are you all right?”
She shook her head. “I knew there was a chance some of them hadn’t just taken off, but—” she looked out the window. “I just need a second.” Releasing his hand, she opened the door and got out.
His phone lit up. He opened Zain’s message and then cursed inside his head. No wonder Zain hadn’t said the names to Ena. He didn’t know about three of them, but one of them was Laura Clarke. Ena’s mother. “Shit.” He got out and went around to her. She was just standing there, taking slow, easy breaths.
“I need to talk to Savan and Betty.” She said in a soft voice. “As soon as I wrap my head around it, I’ll call them.”
He nodded and pulled her toward him. He hugged her.
She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, resting her head against him. “I knew it was a long shot, but I never thought it would happen.” She looked up at him. “Betty is going to be over the moon happy.”
Foster smiled, “I need to give Jesse a heads-up; we need to ramp up construction.”
She nodded. Excitement was clear in her voice. “Did he send the names?” She let go of him. “I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach.”
Foster sighed. “He did. There’s a Laura Clarke on the list, Ena.”
She looked at him; her expression didn’t change, and he wondered if she had heard him. She closed her eyes for a second. “My mother.” When she opened them, there was such sadness in them that he felt pains in his chest.
“She didn’t leave me.” She let out a breath and then nodded. “Who else?”
Foster moved around her and reached in the door. Grabbing the phone, he opened the message and handed her the phone.
She stared at it. “I don’t know two of these, but Myers is Orson’s family name.” She held out the phone to him. “Do I tell them? Or is this something an alpha would keep to themself?”
Foster opened his mouth and then shrugged. “I do know we can ask Jesse’s opinion.”
“I don’t want to give them false hope.”
“All right.” He put his hands on her shoulders and bent his knees, so they were face to face. “We can start by telling Savan and Betty about their kin.”
She exhaled. “Yes, I will talk to Orson about the others. I don’t know if it’s what you do with a second, but I have no secrets from Orson.”
“That’s a good thing.” He wanted to crush her against his chest and just hold her, but they needed to get back on the road. If her emotions broke free, that wasn’t going to happen because he wouldn’t be able to function. He kissed her mouth quickly. “Hop in. We’ll call them as we drive.”
Her eyes rounded. “Right. We need to go find that clan.”