“You don’t get to object. That’s just how it works, and you were on the list.” Bear lifted a hand and shrugged. “None of us can stop it.”
“So they’d have killed me if I refused?”
“No, that would have harmed the baby,” Bear said. “They’d have killed Jax.”
Kenna stared at him, her lips pressed tight together.
“None of us asked to be a part of this. That’s why my team left you out of it. We didn’t want you anywhere near them or any of their operatives. We were trying to keep you safe, Kenna. To let you live your life.”
By giving her a constructed “test” to keep her occupied? Of course, they’d think that would satisfy her.
She had more questions. “Where are Bruce and Amara?”
Bear said, “They’re supposed to be witnesses at the wedding. That way, they can put their collective vote toward the president and Lief.”
“This entire situation is insane.” She wanted to shake some sense into him and all of them.
“Give me the tech you got from the software company. I’ll let the family out of their car, and we’ll leave. You don’t need to have anything to do with it.”
Jax folded his arms. “We’re supposed to sit here and wait for you to get Maizie back from the people who were your team? There’s no way we’re going to do nothing.”
“As soon as I’m able, I’ll find them. I’ll get her back for you.”
Stairns shook his head. “Not good enough. Not after what she’s been through. We’re not waiting for you to make this deal with the president and get yourselves in a position of power so you can think you’re controllingDominatus. You’re all cracked if you think they’re going to listen to you. That having your pick in power will change anything.”
Bear said, “I get that you care about Maizie. I care about Maizie. We all do. But this is about the whole world. We can’t let them choose their leader. Wehaveto make sure the choice is the right one.”
“You can have the tech. You give us Ellayna and her family, and I suppose we owe you for saving their lives. But you’re going to send Ramon, Amara, and Bruce home. You’re going to give us what we need to find Maizie, and then you’re never going to contact us again.”
Jax glanced at her.
Kenna wasn’t going to back down. “You and I”—she motioned between herself and Bear—“we’re done.”
“Bruce and Amara?—”
“I don’t care what you have planned or who you’ve forced to be involved.” Kenna lifted her chin, wanting them back with her but knowing they could take care of themselves. “I only want my family back, and you’re going to make that happen. Maizie. Ramon. Amara and Bruce. Send them all home, Bear.”
Bear turned his head and stared at the line of vehicles. Chewing over what she’d said? It wasn’t that complicated. And she wassodone with this. He’d made the wrong choice, and now Maizie was caught in the middle.
Kenna wasnotgoing to allow her to become collateral damage.
“People are getting killed. Lives are being destroyed because of these people. Because of theirtests. Because they think they can do whatever they want.” She took a breath. “Now you have my people in danger, right in the middle of this insane plan. Maizie is in danger. Amara and Bruce have to stand up in front of people who’ve been trying to kill them for years. Ramon is a guy trying to do the right thing, and what do you have him doing?”
“He would have stopped us.”
“What does that tell you about what you’re doing? Ramon is a guy who chose integrity instead of descending into the depths of what life could have turned him into. He chose to protect people and work every day to bring justice and make the world a better place,” she said. “The fact that what you’re doing put you on opposite sides of this war should be a huge red flag that what you’re doing isnotthe right thing.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Chicago, Illinois
Ramon sat in the middle row of the vehicle but knew for a fact that he couldn’t get out. The doors were locked, and he’d only be exiting this vehicle when it stopped, and someone opened the door for him. The rest of the seats were filled with Bear’s men, including Hollace, who sat on the seat beside him.
Another identical vehicle behind had Amara and Bruce in it. The one in front held more men.
The convoy turned down State Street, driving between the towering high-rise buildings that blocked out any view of stars he might have had.
Hollace shifted and pulled out his phone, answering it with a snapped, “Hollace.” His attention shifted toward Ramon just a fraction. “Is that a good idea?” Whatever the answer to his question, he responded, “Understood.”
