Was this a bad idea? Ian peered down the aisle of the Boeing 737 that was carrying them to Miami, after a connecting flight in Denver.
Even if it was the absolute worst path they could have taken, what could Ian do to stop Jonna? She’d go to Miami on her own—exactly what his uncle had been afraid she would do. Uncle Gil hadn’t wanted Jonna to get back into the middle of a perilous situation. But Uncle Gil hadn’t known how widespread the firestorm would be. Staying in Washington wouldn’t keep her safe.
The only option left to Ian was to stay by her side.
And protect her. We’ll protect each other, she’d said. While he trusted her on that, it wasn’t her job to look out for him. And she was making his job all the more difficult. Still, they’d worked well together from the beginning, and maybe they could continue to work well together.
He released a resigned sigh.
He’d called Gil’s supervisors, who’d located him within hours of learning he was missing. Fortunately, they already understood the need for a guard next to his hospital room. But Uncle Gil was in bad shape. If only it wouldn’t take Ian and Jonna a day to get to Florida from Washington with the connection and time change.
The flight was completely full. He’d set the air above him to blow directly on him and push away the stuffiness. He sipped iced water from a plastic cup. Next to him, Jonna sat quietly reading an airline magazine, but he suspected she was busy strategizing in her head what they would do once they arrived in Florida.
Go see Uncle Gil first. That was a given.
Except if Gil was being watched; then in doing that, the person who wanted her dead would know she was back in town.
Was it Mayor Hendrix? Jonna had said the dying man acted like he meant to say more. What if he hadn’t been blaming the mayor at all? They couldn’t just waltz in and accuse the man.
Somehow, though, they’d have to find out if he was in it up to his ears or if he knew something that could help them. Ian’s uncle would have been the best person to discuss the details with, but the man had been badly beaten. He remained in a coma for who could say how long.
God, thank You that Gil is in the hospital and not lying in some ditch somewhere to die alone. But please, help him get better.
He took a sip of his water.
Jonna flipped the magazine closed and stuck it into the seat flap. “So, Ian. Tell me about the woman you fell in love with.”
He choked, sucking water down the wrong way. He could have spewed it over the seat back.
“Are you okay?”
He shook his head, unable to speak yet. Why in the world was she asking that question? And now, of all times. He’d assumed she was thinking about what came next. What they would do once they got to Miami. But she was thinking about Serena?
He pinched his nose.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. You don’t have to answer if the subject is too sensitive.”
“No. It’s okay. You just surprised me. Why do you want to know?”
“Forget it. It was a stupid question.”
“Not stupid, just surprising. That’s all. Let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you about Serena if you tell me about the last guy you were involved with.”
She shoved her long hair behind her ears and grabbed the magazine again. She’d already looked through it twice. “You know, this conversation is off-limits. It’s too...personal. Again, I apologize for asking to begin with.”
Ian closed his eyes and pictured Serena. Unfortunately, the image elicited a massive explosion of pain—taking an interest in her had resulted in a tragic domino effect on many lives. Deep-seated regrets over his mistakes could throw off his game when it came to protecting Jonna.
“I imagine she was very beautiful,” she said, her voice a soft whisper.
So they weren’t done with this yet. Keeping his eyes closed, an image of the woman he’d cared deeply about appeared. “Yes. She was.” But not as beautiful as you, Jonna. He shouldn’t tell her that. They shouldn’t take their attraction, their connection any further. She was not as strong as you are. Or skilled. Not as smart or as self-sufficient. Still, there were similarities. Both had tender hearts that they fiercely protected.
He never would have believed that caring for someone could bring so much death and tragedy. He couldn’t do that again to anyone.
Jonna pressed her hand over his on the armrest. Behind the softness, he felt the strength in her touch. Why was she doing this to him?
But that wasn’t on her. His reaction to her was on him.
She was simply being herself—a caring, sensitive woman. Once they arrived in Miami, Ian had to remain focused on one thing—protecting Jonna.
You’re the only one I trust with the job.
He hoped she wasn’t making a mistake.
* * *
As the plane descended for a landing at Miami International Airport, Jonna stared out the window, her old stomping grounds rushing at her both physically and metaphorically. Her mouth went dry as her pulse kicked up.
What would it feel like to step foot in Miami again?
Unwanted memories came flooding back with more clarity than ever before.
She tried to slow her breathing. Maybe coming back was a mistake. But what choice did she have? Someone—Mayor Hendrix, possibly—had targeted her. Did he think she knew something, or had evidence against him? If she did, she would have come forward long ago.
She had only suspected someone in authority was involved in the human-trafficking ring, and she’d believed the culprit to be Senator Shelby. Her informant had been trying to tell her something. Had she misunderstood? Maybe that was it—they thought her informant had told her. That’s why she’d been targeted. Apparently Danny had told them he’d finished the job and killed her. But someone had obviously ratted on him that Jonna was very much alive and well. Jonna was a loose end.
No, she was much more than a loose end—she was more like a loose cannon.
A loaded weapon.
I’m coming for you...
First she had to find out if Mayor Hendrix really was the man behind targeting her. If not, then who?
As they exited the plane into the terminal, dizziness swept over her.
Ian grabbed her hand. Tugged her over into a corner and out of the flow of people. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I just never thought I’d be back here.”
He gently gripped her arms. Peered into her eyes. “Listen, Jonna. We can leave. You don’t have to do this. In fact, I’d prefer you didn’t. I’m ready to go with you anywhere you want to go.”
“And forget about your uncle? My old boss whose only crime was to try to protect me?” She leaned against the wall and drew in a breath. “I have to do this. But you’re the one who doesn’t have to. This isn’t your fight. You don’t have to go into this with me.”
Was that hurt flickering in his gaze?
She offered a tenuous grin, then gently took his hand and squeezed. “You know I want you with me. I just don’t know if I could live with myself if something happened to you.” She pressed her finger into his chest. “So don’t get hurt, Ian. Don’t die to save me just because your uncle or the sheriff made you think you had to.” Did she even hear herself? She was the one putting him in danger by being here. “Come on. Let’s go see Gil.”
They hurried through the terminal with their carry-on bags, Ian holding her arm, keeping her close. Both of them watching the crowd for anyone suspicious who might be tracking them. The one thing they had going for them was that whoever wanted Jonna silenced wanted it done discreetly. They would likely continue to try to kill her without witnesses, and in such a way that it wouldn’t be traceable back to them.
Half an hour later, Jonna followed Ian through the white, sterile hallway of the hospital where his uncle—her former boss—was recovering from his injuries. He’d been abducted from a conference in Georgia, and too many hours had passed before anyone realized he was no longer there. During that time, thugs had beaten him for information. He was fortunate to have made it out alive.
Ian faced two police officers stationed outside Gil’s hospital room. “Ian Brady here to see my uncle.”
“Can I see some ID, sir?”
Ian showed the man his ID. Jonna did too. The officers allowed them into the room.
“Gil, you’re awake!” Jonna rushed to the bed ahead of Ian.
Gil’s face was black-and-blue. His eyes and lips swollen. It reminded Jonna of her own face, only his was much worse. Gil looked at her and anger flashed in his eyes.
He ground out the next words, directing them at Ian. “What is she doing here?”