“What's that?” she asked.
Seth lifted a cap on the black circle, revealing a small red button. “It's GPS. Hale Security can track me by satellite. When I push this button, that signals I'm ready to be picked up. We need to find a place a helicopter can land, though.”
“You thought of everything.”
“It's a standard Executive Personal Emergency device, apparently.”
“Won't I still need a passport?” Jenny asked.
“Not with these guys. They're experts on how the American government works. They'll know how to slip us between the cracks. I've got it all taken care of.”
Jenny smiled. “I'm so glad you came.”
“I could tell by the way you were torturing me.”
“I'm sorry! That's what he wanted me to do. I did save your life a little.”
“A little.”
“As soon as I saw it was you, when they pulled you out of the helicopter...I could start to feel something was wrong. You upset me, bringing up all these feelings of love, when Alexander had convinced me our relationship was probably a scheme by the charmer. By Ashleigh, I mean.”
“And you believed him?”
“It made sense, looking back on all the past lives. You were allied with her more often than not. I was allied with him. Our factions have made war on each other forever. He knows that you and I getting together means I won't be his, and so his power stays limited. And Ashleigh hated me for drawing you away from her over the last few lifetimes—she hated me from the beginning of this life, even if she didn't know why.”
“It's weird that our lives are shaped by so many things we don't even remember,” Seth said.
“But they're not,” Jenny said. “That's what I really learned. More important than remembering all the ancient stuff was understanding that this new thing, between you and me, is what really matters. I love you, Seth. I hope you still love me.”
“Does this mean I should take my pants all the way off?”
She laughed and shook her head.
“We're going to need a plan,” Jenny said. “How to deal with Alexander when he comes back for me. And how to deal with Homeland Security.”
“I can help a little there. That CDC doctor, the one who came to your house? She's on our side now. She sort of figured us out.”
“I don't think we can trust somebody like that.”
“I healed her daughter from cancer.”
Jenny nodded. “Okay. So let's figure something out.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The Hale rescue helicopter refueled in Cancun, so Jenny and Seth ate lunch in an open-air restaurant on the beach while one of the Hale guys kept an eye on them from the bar. They had swordfish, shrimp and oysters, along with rice and beans and Mexican wine. Jenny watched Seth's burn wounds disappear as he ate. Then he took her hand and looked quietly into her eyes while her gunshot wounds healed, underneath the bandaging the Hale men had applied.
Seth had to explain to the Hale men that none of the extraction team had survived, which made the mood in the helicopter quiet and somber. The helicopter pilot, in turn, explained that Seth's father had tracked the stolen money through Seth's account to Hale Security Group, so they would be landing in Florida instead of South Carolina.
Jenny and Seth stayed quiet for most of the ride, since the things they were eager to discuss couldn't be said in front of strangers. Jenny lay her head on Seth's shoulder as they flew north along the Florida coastline, while the sun set over the land to their left.
They dropped low just outside St. Augustine, landing on a helipad inside the gated community where Seth's parents lived. Seth's parents were already waiting for them. Seth's dad seemed to have a lot more gray hair than Jenny remembered.
“This is going to be fun,” Seth said, as the pilot opened the door for them. “If they kill me, say hi to Rocky for me.” He stepped out of the helicopter and offered Jenny his hand. She took it, though she didn't really need it. It was nice to touch him again.
Seth shook hands with the two Hale men that had picked them up, then he and Jenny ducked low as they walked under the whirling blades towards Seth's parents. It was growing dark, and a few streetlamps flickered to life.
“Jonathan Seth Barrett,” his mother said. She looked him over. “Where have you been?”
“I had to rescue Jenny,” Seth said. He looked at his dad, but the man was just glowering at him, flexing his jaw.
“Get in the car,” Seth's dad said. He turned away and walked over to the parking slots by the helipad, where his black Lexus SUV was waiting.
Seth's mother was scowling at Jenny, a look of pure hate in her eyes. Seth grabbed Jenny's hand and led her toward the car.