Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(87)

Jazz gave Zach, Seth, and Gabe a stern stare. “Find that little boy and his mother, but I’m warning you. If my husband returns with one scratch, I’ll come after you. And I’m handy with more than just my rifle.”

She gave them a nod and raced out of the house, leaving Zach and his brothers facing each other. Zach could barely breathe. He hadn’t been there for them in five years, and they’d stepped in. Just like his father would have. They accepted the challenge; they accepted him. How could he have doubted them—but he knew his own guilt had driven his actions. He’d hurt not only himself, but his family. “Let’s move.”

They stashed the gear into the back of the SUV then jumped into the vehicle. Seth held his Sig on a handcuffed Brad as Gabe gunned the SUV. The motor roared and the car raced through the Denver streets.

Zach palmed his father’s 1911 and stared at Brad. He wanted to kill the bastard. He couldn’t believe he sat a few feet away from him and the man still breathed. But he’d do anything to save Jenna’s life, even make a deal with the devil.

Brad sucked in a shuddering breath. “I loved her the only way I knew.”

“You had a choice. We all have a choice on how we treat the people we love.”

He stared at each of his brothers.

Seth’s brow rose. Luke blinked in acknowledgment.

“Damn straight,” Gabe muttered. He twisted the steering wheel. The tires barely hugged the street on the tight turn. The vehicle leapt forward.

Zach nodded his own agreement. He hadn’t understood the truth of his words until today. His choices had been selfish, protecting himself and his emotions. He’d been afraid to love Jenna and Sam. He’d never even told them. What a fool.

Seth grabbed Zach’s shoulder. “Glad to have you back, brother.”

“I’m at the edge of the grid,” Gabe interrupted. “Which way?”

“Go west of Golden, into the hills.”

“Damn. On the very border of our grid. We would never have found them in time.”

A beeping noise sounded in the vehicle. Luke cursed. “Link just went live again.”

Zach stilled. The third showing of a prisoner. He met Seth’s gaze, and his brother’s eyes had gone deadly. They both knew what this could mean.

“Open it,” Zach said, his entire body rigid. “I have to know.”

Luke clicked the link and gasped.




Jenna couldn’t breathe. Pain speared through her side with every small movement. He’d broken her ribs. Her arms ached, her wrists were on fire, and her hands had gone numb from the cuffs.

Blood streamed down her face, warm against her cold skin.

She couldn’t see, but she heard Sam’s quiet sobs.

“Silence!” her captor yelled. “You shame yourself.”

A sharp slap sounded and Sam cried out.

She struggled but couldn’t help her son.

A door slammed opened, then closed, leaving her doused in the dark. Oh, God, had he taken Sam?

A small whimper brought her heart back to life.

“Mommy?” Sam whispered. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” she said through swollen lips.

“The man left,” Sam cried. “I’m scared. I want Zach.”

“Me too, baby. Can you run away?”

“I’m tied up.”

Jenna shifted her hands and the cuffs clinked together. If only she could get at the lock, she might—

The paperclip. The one from her father’s file. She’d shoved it in her pants. Her father’s lies might come in handy after all.

She bent her wrists, working to reach her back pocket. She bit her lip against the agony.

“Mommy?”

“Quiet, honey.”

Success.

She dug into the jeans. She felt for the small bit of metal and used her fingernail to scrape it closer. Seconds later, she grasped it in her hand. She bent the metal and went to work on the lock. She had no idea how much time she had.

“Come on, come on.” Every lesson from her life on the streets after her father had left her returned in a rush. The lock clicked. Her hand slipped free. Jenna let out a sob. Should she thank her father for letting her fend for herself? If it saved her son, no question. Yes.

She worked the ropes free from her legs and staggered over to Sam, feeling her way around the ties. He latched onto her. “He hit you, Mommy. I couldn’t stop him. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, baby. He’s a bad man.”

Jenna kissed Sam’s cheek. “We have to hurry.”

She took his hand and stumbled to the door, trying desperately not to cry out. She grabbed the latch, but before she could open it, Farzam pushed in.

His eyes widened, then narrowed in fury. “I will kill you.”

Jenna’s heart raced. She folded her hand at the second knuckle. She could do this. One blow to the throat.

“You’re bad,” Sam yelled. He slugged the guy in the crotch. Farzam doubled over. Jenna struck, but the terrorist knocked her off balance and they crashed to the ground. The man clutched her throat, squeezing.

“Run. Get help,” she gasped.

Sam didn’t hesitate—just like Zach had taught him. He raced out the door.

She sagged with relief. Thank God.