He scanned his torso, frowned as he tugged his shirt down. “Looks like you used a whole roll.”
“Not quite. If Rowan can’t do the honors, I’ll peel the tape for you.”
Brent prayed Rowan would be available to help because that would mean she was free. “Update?” he asked Jon.
“Still moving into less populated areas of Warren County.” He frowned.
“What is it?”
“She’s slowing.” He paused. “Stopped.” His fingers flew over the keys. “Got it.” Jon programmed the address into the SUV’s navigation system for Eli.
Brent called Cal with Rowan’s location.
“I’ll send law enforcement to contain them. It will take a few minutes for them to mobilize and reach the coordinates, Brent. Phillips is out in the boonies.”
“Understood. Tell them not to engage unless they try to leave with Rowan and Alexa. No one goes in but Fortress.”
“I’ll try. I can’t guarantee they’ll listen. Most law enforcement thinks we’re overpaid cowboys with a death wish.”
Jake grabbed one of the ice packs and pressed it to the back of Brent’s head as he made the necessary call to President Martin. “Mr. President, I have information.”
“I have two minutes. Go.”
Brent laid out what he’d learned about the connection between the Volunteer militia along with the other militias on the list, and the Navarro cartel.
“Is your team in place?”
“Yes, sir. Their area is heating up. Not sure the cartel or the federales are making a move.”
Martin was silent a moment. “How large is the team on the ground?”
“Not large enough.”
“Remedy that. I want this taken care of.”
“Yes, sir. Mr. President, I may not be the best person to carry out your orders right now.”
“Explain.”
“The woman I love has been taken hostage by the Volunteer militia leader. Sir, my priority is saving Rowan Scott and her niece.”
“I expect you to take care of your missions, Commander.” Martin ended the call.
Eli whistled. “The president doesn’t ask much, does he?”
Right. Save the woman he’d die for in a heartbeat as well as her niece, rescue the ambassador’s family, and shut down the Navarro cartel. He sent a text to Josh Cahill, leader of the Durango team, activating his unit, then fired off another text to Zane to notify the other units that they may be called upon to assist in the efforts to suppress Navarro.
The miles passed in tense silence except for Brent coordinating the plan of attack with the other SUVs. Jon split his screen. One half had the flashing red dot showing Rowan’s location. The other half showed the buildings at the coordinates. Phillips’ compound was laid out well for his purpose.
Zane called. “Brent, the Volunteer militia purchased a Lear jet in the past month. A small, private landing strip isn’t far from the coordinates you texted me.”
Would Brent reach Rowan in time?
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Hard Hands hurried into the living room where Rowan sat on the couch, arms wrapped around her sleeping niece. The girl must not have slept much in the past few nights. As precarious as their situation was, Alexa had fallen asleep on Rowan’s lap as soon as Invisible Man ordered them to sit and keep quiet. That Alexa had so much faith in her ability to protect them both thrilled and terrified Rowan. She didn’t want to let her niece down.
“Boss, Merrick’s been listening to the police scanner. The cops are headed this way.”
More swearing from the boss.
“What do we do, Keith?” one of the other men asked.
Satisfaction rolled through Rowan. Confirmation of her captor’s identity. Small comfort if Brent didn’t know who kidnapped them or where they were taken.
Rowan glanced at her watch. Was the tracker working? Would help arrive in time to keep them from being taken to some faraway place or before they were hurt?
“Call the airfield. See if the plane is ready.” He glared in Rowan and Alexa’s direction.
She maintained steady breathing, hoping her niece wouldn’t wake yet.
A hushed conversation later, the other man said, “Plane’s ready.”
Phillips tipped his chin. “Get my bags.” After his underling left, Phillips glanced at Hard Hands. “Can Walters hold off the cops and anyone else who might try to interfere?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, sir. Why?”
“You’re coming with me.” He swung his hate-filled gaze toward Rowan again though he still spoke to Hard Hands. “Keep them under control until we reach to our destination.”
Oh, no. Rowan rested her chin on her niece’s head. She needed to stall. Surely Brent was the one who called the police. “You don’t want to take us with you.”
He gave a harsh bark of laughter. “On the contrary, Ms. Scott, I don’t have a choice. If I leave you here, I won’t have leverage.”
“If my boyfriend is dead, his employees won’t give you what you want. My niece and I are extra baggage you don’t need unless you want even more trouble.”
“And if I let you go?”
“I don’t want the records. Tell me where to send them or I can burn them. I’ll do either option you choose if you and your men stay away from Alexa.” Would he take the bargain?
Phillips snorted and pulled his gun. “Get up, Ms. Scott.”
Taking as long as she dared, Rowan shifted Alexa’s weight so she could stand. Her niece mumbled something in her sleep and slipped back into steady breathing. Thank goodness. She didn’t want Alexa to be afraid. Rowan was plenty afraid for both of them.
If Phillips flew them out of the country, Rowan didn’t have her passport or Alexa’s. She had the will proving she was Alexa’s legal guardian, but nothing else. If Phillips flew them to another location inside the country, all Rowan had to do was escape and find the nearest phone to call Fortress. Hard Hands or one of his buddies had taken her cell phone.
Rowan rose and, after being prodded in the back with the gun, followed Phillips through the hallway and out the back door where an SUV waited, a driver behind the wheel.
She got into the backseat, Hard Hands climbing
