Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5)(94)

But despite the fact that everyone knew the secret that wasn't a secret, that Dane's word was law when it came to DSS and Caleb and Beau were mere figureheads who deferred to him as having the final say in every situation, Dane didn't act as though he wielded that kind of power or influence. Yes, he wanted to be kept apprised of all his men's comings and goings, but he was never on a power trip, and he didn't insist on taking charge and inserting himself into every situation. Only the ones he had a personal stake in. Like Lizzie's going rogue and vigilante without her teammates, and most importantly her partner and the person she was closest to at DSS-Dane.

Even then, to Dane's frustration, he hadn't been able to take the lead and had to defer to Wade Sterling, whom Dane had himself called in and unleashed on Lizzie when he knew she wasn't being completely forthcoming with him. But for Lizzie, and what he knew to be best for her, he allowed Wade to dictate the plan of action, and Dane and the rest of DSS acted in a support capacity, something that likely still ate at Dane to this day.

Isaac waited impatiently. With every minute that passed, he died a little more as he imagined what his angel was enduring right now. What was that cocky, victorious little bastard doing to show her what he thought of her having the audacity to bargain with him and not back down in the face of his threats? Hell, she threw his threats right back in his face like she didn't give two fucks what he did to her, and that was what made Isaac break out into a cold sweat and panic eat holes in his gut. Because he knew the kind of man Jesus was and he knew he'd make Jenna pay for every one of those insults.

He glanced helplessly at Ramie, who was pale and looked as though she was going to be sick. Caleb was hovering over her, holding her, kissing her, trying his best to comfort her in any way. As if feeling Isaac's gaze, Ramie looked up, raw regret terrible in her eyes. He pleaded silently with her, knowing he was baring himself to anyone and everyone in the room in a way that a month ago would have made him crawl out of his skin in discomfort. Hell, never would he have allowed anyone to see anything but the stony stoicism he always brought to the job. But that was before Jenna. He had no pride when it came to her. There was nothing he wouldn't do or say to have her back in his arms, safe and loved. He'd vowed not to ever ask God for another thing, but wasn't this merely a continuation of that same prayer? That he'd never ask for more than for her to be back in his arms so he could spend the rest of his life loving her so damn much that she never had another dark cloud so much as pass over her.

Caleb looked at Isaac, sympathy bright in his eyes. "It's not me holding her back. It's not even Ramie. She's ready to go as soon as she gets the go-ahead. But there's little point in having Ramie give us information we can't act on. We have to have every man, every source of firepower we can pull in, be ready to go the minute Ramie gives us what we need. If we wait even a little while after she's found Jenna, she could end up giving us faulty intel, because the bastard could move her again before we make our move and then not only are we fucked, but we tip our hand, and then we stand zero chance of having the element of surprise on our side."



       
         
       
        

Isaac swallowed back the knot that threatened to choke him. He wanted to scream that he knew. God damn it, he knew! But just because he knew the right way to handle the mission-any mission-it didn't make it any fucking easier to sit here on his ass while the reason for him to live was out there, terrified, hurting, wondering if she'd ever be safe again.

Everyone looked up when the door opened to admit Ari and a haggard-looking Beau along with Ari's parents, Gavin and Ginger Rochester. Thankfully, Ari showed no signs that she'd ever been shot, and she smiled at the greetings and relieved hugs she received.

Gavin's sharp glance, however, immediately found Isaac in the throng of DSS agents, and he strode directly to where Isaac was leaning against a wall, his heart sick and every nerve, muscle and instinct ready for action. Anything but this terrible waiting game where every minute that passed meant another minute Jenna was in the hands of a twisted, sick maniac who had no qualms about making her life hell.

"Mr. Washington, I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Gavin Rochester, Ari's father."

"Of course I remember you, sir," Isaac said politely.

"I never got to thank you personally for taking part in the mission to retrieve my precious daughter and save her from the monsters who killed her birth parents."

"I was doing my job," Isaac said from behind clenched teeth.