Frey was in Julian’s face yelling, “This is not your fault.”
“But it is! It was my security system Hagen bypassed allowing the Unholy to get to our homes. It’s my computer system that has been breached. What good am I if I can’t keep my family safe?”
“Katherine is safe. Thanks to the pod you designed for the jet. All our mates are safe because of you.”
“Yeah? Tell that to Rafael.”
“Brother, Kaya is alive. She’s going to be—”
“Scarred for the rest of her life! Every time Rafael looks at her, he’s going to remember it was me who let her down. Fuck!” Julian phased fully and launched into the sky.
“Godsdamnit, Julian!” Frey yelled at the retreating form of his brother. He tapped his phone and put it to his ear. “Remy, we have a situation. I need you to put Lachlan back in his cell for the time being. If he asks why, tell him… Fuck, tell him it’s on my orders, and that’s all you know. Tell Hunter and Carter they’re welcome to stay at my home for the time being. Have one of them call me after you get Lachlan in his cell, and I’ll explain it to them. Just so you are aware, Julian believes Lachlan is somehow responsible for the Clan jet having engine failure. The mates are safe, but… You know what? I want you to tell Lachlan and the others the plane went down and there were no survivors other than the pilot and his brother. Watch Lachlan for his reaction. I’m on my way to the airport, but call me back once he’s in his cell. Thanks, Brother.”
“What about Julian?” Jasper asked.
“I can’t worry about him right now. Dane? Marley will understand if you stay here. I have Lorenzo and Paxton to monitor the situation with the Unholy.”
“Yes, but what about the computers? If Lachlan did have something to do with the jet, who’s to say he’s not working with Drago? If that’s the case, we need Julian more than ever. Fuck! Is this shit ever going to end?”
“Fuck.” Frey grabbed his hair with both hands and blew out a breath. “I’ll stay and find my brother. The rest of you head to the airport so Nikolas doesn’t leave without you. Tell Abbi I will be there as soon as possible. I’m calling Sixx and have him reserve a resort for the mates. They’re going to need some down time once they’re rescued.”
Kai didn’t like that idea. “I’m still taking Josie to Manono. Behind bars or not, I don’t trust Drago or Lachlan or whoever not to have someone watching our movements. I’d advise you to do the same. An island of Gargoyles will be safer than a resort. My brother, Pono, and my tamu are on their way to Hawaii to stay with Josie until I get there.”
“Your tamu?”
“My father,” Kai clarified. “They’ll be able to help guard the others too. Dane, if you stay here, I promise on my honor I’ll watch over Marley.”
Dane sighed. “If we only knew whether or not Lachlan was working against us.”
Gregor, who had been silent up to that point, spoke up. “I’ve communicated with Tessa. Frey, you need to get to your family. Abbi’s fine, and so is Amelia, but Abbi’s pregnant. Dante, Isabelle said to tell you to stay here and do what you need to on this end. Dane, Marley said the same thing. Drago’s plan is to separate us, of that I have no doubt, but we can’t leave the city unprotected. Tessa knows this, and she demanded I stay here to watch over Rafael and Kaya, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
It was obvious Dane was still torn. He dragged a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends. “Someone needs to find Julian.”
Dante gripped Dane’s shoulder “I’ll do that. Isabelle and Connor will help look after the others until you get there. Kai, if you don’t mind, I’d like for you to take them on to Samoa with you. I’ll feel safer knowing they’re on your family’s island.”
“Of course.” Kai fisted his heart and bowed his head. “I’m going, and I suggest anyone going to our mates leaves now.” Kai walked off, leaving the others to make their decisions. He knew the mates were safe for the moment, but he didn’t know who was watching their movements. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his Clan to safeguard Josie, but he trusted his family more. The island was secure. The safest place for his love to be.
When Kai arrived at the airport and located Nikolas and Mason, Nik had a plane and pilot ready to go. The pilot turned out to be Lawton. Kai didn’t know all the Clan members as well as some, but he did know they each had pasts where one or more would have had the opportunity to learn to fly a plane. By the time they boarded, Frey and Jasper were the only ones to come with them. It took an hour before they were added to the queue for takeoff. While they were waiting, Kai asked Frey, “Did you hear back from Remy?”
Frey scrubbed a hand over his face. “Yes. He said Lachlan was as visibly shaken as were Hunter and Carter. Either he had nothing to do with the plane going down, or he’s an excellent actor. I called Julian and left him a message, telling him to get his ass to work. Since he didn’t answer, and I don’t know where his head is, we need someone watching the Unholy. I told Remy to leave Lachlan out of his cell for now.” Kai prayed Frey had made the
