Page 36 of What Remains

“I think we are,” I finally answer.

“Good.” Carter pauses. “But what I don’t understand is why Jezebel let you work for her if she already knew who you two are.”

“Still processing that myself,” I say. “I’m sure word has already gotten out to Jezebel’s boss about what happened, though.”

“They’ll send someone to clean up the mess before you all can get here. We’ll lose our leads.” Is Zoey trying to suggest she goes back?

“Getting to you all is our priority. Don’t do any lone-wolf shit and head back there. Am I clear?” Carter orders, catching on to her motives fast.

“The only people who can identify that woman”—Zoey looks at the two of us—“are in this safe house. We have no images of her. No video. If I don’t go back there and try and find something, we can’t even⁠—”

“No.” Carter has no choice in shutting her down, but I get where Zoey’s coming from. We were never allowed to have phones or cameras at the compound. Jezebel had us thoroughly checked multiple times a day when on-site. Hell, I had to sneak into town and use a landline to leave messages with my sister. We have nothing on Jezebel outside what we saw and heard with our own eyes and ears.

“Zoey’s right, though. How’s Julian supposed to run her face through our software to find her location without an actual face?” Is Gwen seriously joining Zoey’s side? So help me if she suggests we all go back there. I’ll fucking lose it.

“I don’t want you worrying about this,” Wyatt speaks up again, his voice still rough. “You hear me?”

Hopefully she’ll listen to her father, because I doubt she’ll listen to me. And after what those monsters did to her, I can’t exactly tie her down to keep her safe. I’d have to be more creative in ensuring she stays put.

“Who else is on the flight with you?” I need to divert this conversation in a new direction when it comes to these two stubborn women.

“Julian and his brother were wrapping up an op in Cairo when I reached out for help, so Gideon’s with us as well,” Carter answers. “Jesse was in Dubai with me at the time Gwen was taken, but I asked him to stay at my skyrise with our wives and kids. And my security team is helping protect everyone there. We had to move fast on the lead. No time to pull in anyone else.”

“Juliette was a little out of it after getting hit, but she thinks she overheard the men say they were only after Gwen,” Constantine adds, and he must be off the call with my sister now. “She’s relieved to hear you’re both okay. I promised her I’d get you back here soon.”

I nod as if he can see me. I’m clearly out of it.

“I, uh, need to make some calls. I’ll be in touch again before we land.” Carter pauses, then issues the directive, “And, Zoey, don’t piss me off and go back there.”

Zoey quietly hands me the phone and stands. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a minute.”

“Dad,” Gwen whispers, “are you still there?”

“Of course.”

“I love you.” The words hang heavy, almost sacred. Too bad they’ll never be meant for me. “I’m so glad I have a chance to tell you that again.”

He’s sniffling, the poor guy. “I—I love you, too,” he finally gets out, his voice hoarse. “And, Easton?”

“Yeah?”

“Saying thank you isn’t close to being enough, but⁠—”

“I did what any of us would’ve done,” I cut him off before I start shedding liquid emotion from my eyes, too. “No thanks needed.”

“Please just”—Wyatt pauses, another static-filled breath reaching through the phone—“don’t take your eyes off her until I’m there.”

Gwen lifts her chin and looks at me. Her glossy blue-grays wreck me again.

Keeping my eyes on her won’t be the problem.

It’s how the hell will I ever take them off her?

CHAPTER 12

Easton

I don’t know what I’m doing. No clue what to say, either. The call ended a few minutes ago and we’re both still on the floor, not moving a muscle. Not a word has passed between us, and if she doesn’t talk soon, I’m gonna lose my mind.