“House can’t be saved,” Jackson said. His voice stayed steady, but Avery caught the faint edge of something under it. Loss. Anger. “Tell Cal and Garrett to focus on getting my horses out.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Noah said without hesitation.
The SUV jolted as the trail opened up into a narrow strip of pavement. Jackson slowed, eyes scanning both directions. The tires crunched over some loose rocks, and the engine’s low rumble filled the silence.
Avery looked out the window, her heart pounding. The road was empty, nothing but sun-bleached asphalt and a long line of mesquite trees stretching into the distance. She didn’t see anyone, no vehicles, no movement.
Jackson leaned forward slightly, checking the mirrors one more time before easing the SUV onto the road. The tires gripped the pavement, the sudden smoothness making the silence feel heavier.
“Are you bringing Avery to Crossfire Ops headquarters?” Noah asked, his question cutting through the silence. Cutting through her.
Before Jackson could answer, Avery’s breath caught. Panic whipped through her, and she shook her head hard, reaching out to touch his arm. “No,” she whispered.
He glanced at her, eyes narrowing.
She kept shaking her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not sure I can trust everyone there.”
Jackson didn’t respond right away. His expression didn’t change a whole lot, but she could see the tension building in the line of his jaw. He looked back at the road, driving faster now, the trees blurring past.
Noah’s voice came again. “Jackson, talk to me. What’s your plan?”
Avery’s pulse hammered as she waited for his answer, unsure what he’d say or where they were heading next.
Jackson muttered a curse under his breath, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. For a few seconds, he said nothing, just kept his eyes on the road, the muscle in his jaw ticking.
Finally, he spoke. “I’ve got a safe place,” he told Noah. “I’ll take Avery there. I’ll be in touch once we’re settled.”
There was a pause on the line, and Avery could almost feel Noah wanting to argue. He didn’t, though. “Fine,” he said, his voice tight. “But I’m putting every tech resource we have on finding out who leaked her identity.”
Avery frowned. “How can you do that?”
“I’ve got a source I can trust,” Noah said. “Someone inside the Brotherhood. A tech who’s been keeping tabs on them.”
Avery’s chest tightened. It shouldn’t have surprised her. Evan had worked for Noah, and the Brotherhood had taken his life. Of course Noah would have someone inside, watching them, waiting for a moment like this.
Jackson kept his eyes on the road. “Thanks. Keep me updated,” he told his boss.
“Will do,” Noah said.
Jackson reached forward and ended the call. The SUV fell silent again except for the steady hum of the engine and the faint rattle of the tires on the road.
Avery leaned back in her seat, her pulse finally starting to slow. For the first time since the explosion, she let herself breathe. But deep down, she knew this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
But at least they weren’t walking into a compound where she wasn’t sure they’d be safe. She trusted Jackson, but only him.
Avery sat up in her seat, ignoring the tight pull in her stomach. She needed to help him keep watch. Her eyes swept over the open land on either side of the road, searching for any sign of movement, any flash of sunlight off metal or the dust of another vehicle trailing behind them.
They drove for miles, winding through the back roads that cut deep into the Texas Hill Country. The terrain shifted between rolling hills and stretches of scrub, dotted with mesquite and cedar trees that glowed gold in the fading light. The sky was wide and endless, the kind of view that usually calmed her, but today it felt too open, too exposed.
Jackson took turn after turn, changing direction so often she lost track of where they were. The roads were narrow, some gravel, some paved, most deserted. Every mile they put between themselves and Crossfire Creek eased the tension in her chest just a little, but not enough.
She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.
Jackson’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Don’t,” he said. “Nothing that’s happened is your fault.”
She wanted to believe him, but she couldn’t. “You lost your home because of me.”