Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(88)

Her captor dragged her to her feet. “Your son doesn’t matter. All I want is Zane Morgan. We finish this now,” Farzam said. He shoved her into the chair and secured a rope tight around her bloody wrists down to her ankles. “You won’t get away this time,”

She moaned, tears burned her eyes, but she didn’t care. Sam was free.

With an evil smile Farzam picked up the bent paperclip. “You’re more worthy a warrior than I expected an American woman to be, but this will soon be over. Your fate is decided. You wish to say a last prayer?”

Jenna sucked in a deep breath, not resigned, never resigned. She’d fight until her heart stopped beating and her lungs stopped breathing. She’d learned one thing from Zach. There was always a way. She gritted her teeth and tested her wrists through the pain. With Sam out of this hell, she could take the risk. She would take the risk, because unlike before, she had Zach to back her up. No matter what happened to her, Sam had escaped. Zach would take care of her son. She had faith in Zach Montgomery. He loved Sam. He would protect him.

He would find her.

“You might want to save yourself. Zach will come after you,” Jenna taunted. “Whether I’m dead or not.”

Farzam smiled. “Yes. He will. I want him to. Zane Morgan will pay for his crimes today.”

Several clicks sounded. The video camera whirred.

“You will give him your last words. Speak.”

“It’s a trap,” she screamed. “Save Sam.”

The man slapped her face. Hard. She couldn’t stop the cry.

Metal pressed against her temple.

“She’s dead, Montgomery. An eye for an eye.”




The camera went dark.

“How far are we?” Zach asked, leaning forward, studying the streetlights that whizzed past the vehicle.

A beep sounded from the laptop. Luke snatched it. “Got him,” his brother said. “Two blocks down.” He glared at Brad. “That’s a half mile away from where you told us.”

Zach pointed his 1911 at the assassin’s temple.

“Don’t believe the signal,” Brad said. “It’s a decoy.”

Zach met Luke’s gaze and could see the uncertainty in his brother’s eyes. Zach knew it was his call.

“We’re one block away from the triangulated position,” Gabe added, from the driver’s seat. “Where do I go?”

“How far from Walters’s location?”

“Two minutes.”

“My son could be dead in two minutes,” Brad spat. “Trust me. You guys think I’d lie to you with Sam’s life at stake?”

Zach’s gut twisted. “If you’re wrong, Walters—”

“I’m dead. I know, but so is my son.” Brad glared at Gabe. “Don’t stop. I’m telling you, I’m right.”

The beeping grew louder. They passed an abandoned house. The windows looked very similar to the video. Nausea rose within Zach. If he was wrong, Jenna and Sam could pay the ultimate price.

He couldn’t lose them, not like this. Not because of his choices, his decisions, his life.

Thirty seconds.

One minute.

The only sound within the car were magazines snapping into Seth’s Sig and Luke’s Glock. Zach checked his father’s 1911. The .45 caliber had never let him down. Help me, Dad. He sent up a silent prayer. Help me save them.

Ninety seconds.

The tires squealed as Gabe rounded the corner.

“We’re one block away,” Luke said.

“Pull over, out of sight,” Zach ordered.

In seconds, Gabe maneuvered the car behind a group of pines trees.

Zach turned to Brad. “You’re staying here.”

“I can help. I’m better than good with a weapon.”

Zach ignored him. “Seth, Luke, cuff each hand to a different door, then zip-tie his ankles apart. Make it quick.”

In seconds the brothers had Brad spread-eagled in the backseat.

“You’ll die for this.”

“Heard that before,” Zach said, and closed the door on the assassin, flicking the key fob to lock the vehicle. “Let’s move.”

The four of them peered through the trees at the foreclosed house, its windows boarded up.

“You want Farzam alive?” Seth asked. “For interrogation?”

Zach’s expression went cold. “I don’t give a shit as long as Jenna and Sam get out alive. Do what you have to.” With a scan of the layout, Zach let out a stream of air. The plan could work. “Seth, you and Gabe round to the back. Grab whoever’s the closest—Jenna or Sam. Luke and I will hit the front and do the same.”

“No way,” Seth shook his head. “Farzam wants you dead.”

“If—” Zach’s throat choked. “If Sam and Jenna are still alive, he wants me to watch them die. Otherwise he wouldn’t have hurt them the way he did. Besides, he hates me the most. I go in the front. I’m the distraction.” Zach grabbed Seth’s collar. “You make sure they stay alive. I won’t let anyone else die because of me. You understand?”

“None of us is dying today,” Luke said quietly. “Mom would be really pissed.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Zach’s mouth. “That she would.” His smile faded. “Let’s do this.”