Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5)(47)

There was grim acceptance on the faces of everyone gathered as Dane's words settled over them. Caleb turned away, resignation clearly etched on his features, but pain and fear haunted his eyes. Beau and Zack exchanged uncomfortable glances, knowing Dane was right. Without the girls, Lizzie would have died in that fucking warehouse where she'd been tortured by the men who'd made Ari's and Gracie's lives a living hell. Isaac knew the sacrifice Ramie was making, and he hated it, but what other choice did they have? Would he ever forbid Jenna from using her gift to save a single one of his teammates-his family? Even knowing what it did to her? No. He wouldn't, and now he understood Caleb's terror and his fierce protectiveness toward Ramie much more than he had before.

"Zack and I will take the east exit," Beau said, glancing at his wife, his stare a silent command for her to remain without argument. Ari rolled her eyes while Gracie followed suit when she received the same pointed look from Zack.

"You stay too, Tori," Caleb said in a gentler tone to his younger sister.

Ari and Gracie immediately flanked Tori, each wrapping an arm around her slim waist, sending a silent message to Caleb and Beau that they would take care of the men's younger sister. Caleb sent them both grateful looks before he turned back to his wife, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly, as if he already knew that she would do what she must to find Jenna.

Everyone quickly headed out in their search, leaving Isaac alone with Ramie, Caleb, Ari, Gracie and Tori.

Isaac waited, chest tight and heart hammering, as he watched the silent interaction between husband and wife. Then his attention focused solely on Ramie, knowing how selflessly she'd offered her talents time and time again, but also knowing the tension it caused between her and Caleb. She was watching her husband, determination in every line of her body, while understanding and love for Caleb's concern clearly shone in her eyes.

"Caleb, I can do this. I'll be okay. I can't live with knowing I didn't help Jenna. I have to do this and I need you to understand," Ramie whispered. 

Caleb drew in a deep breath, but he looked at his wife with so much love and worry that it made Isaac's chest ache. He watched Ramie with every single emotion that Isaac was feeling for Jenna.

"I know you do, baby. I know."

There was a hint of helpless frustration in Caleb's voice even as he conceded that Ramie had no choice.

"But if anything goes wrong, anything at all, I'm pulling the plug immediately," he said with steely determination. "I won't risk you. Don't ever ask me to risk losing you. I won't even hesitate."

He sent Isaac a look of apology, though his words were directed at Ramie, and Isaac got it. He did. He had no right to ask another man to risk his wife's life for the woman Isaac loved, no matter how badly he feared Caleb's interference and Ramie being unable to locate Jenna.

"Do you want us to step away?" Ari asked, nodding toward Gracie and Tori as well.

"No."

The response came simultaneously from Caleb and Ramie.

"Just the usual instructions," Ramie said wanly. "Don't interfere and remain quiet. Listen to everything I say and for any useful information."

Left unsaid was that if it was bad, Ramie not only would have little recollection of specific details, but she would be completely incapacitated. She could even die, and that was what scared Caleb to death every time she called upon her talents.

The women moved toward Isaac, their intention not lost on him. Gracie looped her arm through his while Ari wrapped her arm around his waist in a hug.

"We'll get her back, Isaac," Ari whispered. "You can't give up hope. Ramie will find her."

But at what cost? And the million-dollar question, what would she see? Would she be too late to save Jenna's life if the worst had happened? He shook his head because he knew it did no good to entertain such hopeless thoughts. But hope was a vicious bitch as it clawed at his chest, warring with the worst-case scenarios that haunted his every thought.

This might not even work. Ramie might not be able to connect with her at all because it was too late. Or Ramie might connect with her only to find out Jenna really had betrayed him. Isaac slammed his mind shut to that possibility and fought for control. Once he'd found a shred of it and was reasonably sure he could speak without his voice breaking, he asked Ramie, "What do you need?"

"Whatever the last item was she touched that you know of," she replied, her eyes hopeful.

Isaac hurried to the bedroom he'd given Jenna, frantically trying to think. What could Ramie use? Jenna had come to him with only the clothes on her back. And those were with Lizzie. Fuck. He spun slowly, trying to find anything that might work. His gaze fell on the shirt she'd worn last night-his shirt. A night she'd spent in his arms before she'd disappeared. He snatched it up. It would have to do. If it didn't . . . He couldn't go there. It had to work or his only option would be to hunt down a cult in an unknown location, break in, and try to find something that belonged to Jenna and steal it. Jesus, this was a total clusterfuck.