“The plumbing backed up in one of the cabins. He’s working on it while I brought this to you,” Jameson said, letting the adrenaline flow through him. He spent months searching for the woman who captured his heart and never left his dreams. This lead seemed the most promising he’d found in months, and he felt it in his gut.
Matthew rose and collected the papers on the table. “I’ll search for the blueprints and let Rachel know we’re spinning up. Jameson, grab Garrett’s go bag and then tell him to assign a couple of hands to clean up the shit. By the time we get there, it’ll be close to dark. I want to observe it during the light.”
Jameson ran upstairs to the mini armory, grabbing his and Garrett’s bag. He checked the weapons and slid an extra handgun in his waistband. The door closed behind him, and he turned to see Rebecca.
“I hoped to catch you alone,” she said softly.
Jameson arched a brow and grinned. “You’d better hope Julio doesn’t find out.”
Rebecca giggled. “You’re incorrigible. I want to speak with you before we leave. Can you spare me a minute?”
Jameson sat down in one of the chairs in the middle of the room where they cleaned their guns. She sat next to him and placed her hands on the small table.
“I can’t explain it, but I think you’re right about this place. We don’t know what Caroline has gone through since you left. It’s important you remember this if we find her. We don’t know if they punished her for your involvement,” Rebecca said, taking his hand. “She may not be the same woman you saw the last time.”
Jameson sighed. “Do you think I don’t know this? Every time I close my eyes, I worry about what they might’ve done to her if they figured out she gave me information. Last night, I dreamed she cried out, asking me where I was,” he said quietly. “I’m scared of what we might find, but it’s better than not knowing.”
“I understand. Let me assure you, we will get her whatever she needs to heal from this. I owe her my life. Hopefully, tonight we’ll bring Caroline home,” Rebecca rose, taking her go bag and Julio’s. Like him, she checked the weapons and grabbed a couple of knives and another gun.
“Rebecca,” Jameson said. “Thanks for letting me run with this all these months. Once we find her, I’m committed to this team.”
Rebecca appeared confused. “You’re already part of our family. You’re one of us, Jameson. When one of us hurts, we all do. You’ve seen me at my worst, and you helped us locate Megan. Never once did I doubt your loyalty to us.” She closed the door behind her, leaving him alone.
Jameson breathed deeply, thinking about Caroline. His last words to her were, “No matter what, this won’t be the last time you see me.” He prayed he spoke the truth. Night after night, he watched those poor women get abused, he heard their screams, and he tended to their wounds. The team put a huge dent in the trafficking ring’s organization. Yet, for every bust, his disappointment grew at not finding the one woman who haunted his dreams.
Garrett, his best friend, entered and gave him a chin lift.
“You ready to get your girl?” he asked.
Jameson crinkled his nose and then plugged it. “Dude, did you bother to shower? You smell like shit, literally.”
“It’s a new plan of attack. I’m infiltrating the farm smelling like this. They’re bound to clear out of the house,” he joked. “Riley’s bringing me fresh clothes. I’ll be ready to spin up. I’m asking about you.”
“I don’t know if I can handle anymore dead ends. We have to find her,” he said desperately.
“We’re not stopping until we do,” Garrett promised. “Your team won’t let you down.”
“What if they…killed her?” Jameson said the words he feared the most out loud.
“Then we’ll bring her home and give her a proper burial. She deserves to rest among people who cared for her. I may not have met her, but I know she means a lot to you. Therefore, she’s part of our family. Get your ass up and get moving. Matthew’s found the farmhouse blueprints, and Julio will want to review the plan while we’re in the air.”
Jameson grabbed his bag and patted his buddy on the shoulder. “Let’s go. I promised Caroline I’d come for her. Let’s go get my girl.”
Garrett grabbed his arm before he walked out of the room.
“Once we bring her here, what do you plan on doing? You’ve seen the survivors we’ve saved. Will you be content if she doesn’t feel the same way as you? Don’t glare at me. Think about it. She’s suffered years of abuse. Will you settle for staying as her friend?”
Jameson rubbed his chest, feeling it ache at Garrett’s words. Of course, he knew what Caroline endured, but in the short time he knew her, Jameson fell hard for her. It would kill him if she didn’t feel the same way, but he’d settle for her friendship if it’s all she wanted.
He walked to his truck and added the supplies. He counted down the minutes until he saw her big blue eyes. Then, maybe his heart would start beating again.
“I’m coming, Caroline,” he murmured. “Don’t give up on me.”
CHAPTER THREE
Jameson crept through the mountain laurel and waited for everyone to get into position. His heart thumped in his chest, and he heard it in his ears like a sign telling him he found her. The rain came down in droves, and thunder rumbled overhead, making the task of going unseen harder with his feet slipping in the mud. Jameson kept reminding himself to take it slow. Each step brought him closer to her.
“Hummingbird in position,” Rebecca said over the coms. “I have one guard at the front. He’s playing a game on his phone.”
