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He held my gaze for a long, intense moment. Drumming a few taps with his fingers on the table, he turned toward Jake. “Since McGregor is on the road to recovery, and we have the key, can we get on with my debriefing so I can head out?”
“Hey, does your nurse have a sister?” Gerry asked.
“You’re disgusting,” Tina said to Gerry. “So did General Potts approve the transporters to travel alongside their defenders?” she asked Jake.
Tina didn’t like being left behind either.
“He’s giving me an answer based on this travel,” Jake said.
Tina looked hopeful; Ace did, too. I couldn’t decide which situation General Potts would deem accountable. Me saving Caiyan because I was there, or the fact Ace was available to save him because he didn’t travel with his defender. The outlook wasn’t good in my opinion.
Jake’s phone pinged, and he frowned at the screen.
“What is it?” Ace asked. “Problems with the new girlfriend?”
“The Mafusos want a trade.”
Brodie and Gertie returned to their seats, and we waited for the details.
“The Victory key in exchange for the seer.”
“Why would we give up a key?” I asked. “She chose to go with them.”
“She may be in danger,” Brodie said. “When the Mafusos figured out she didn’t have the key, she was of no use to them.”
“I agree with Brodie,” Jake said, “They would have had her killed if she had kept the key, so it was good she tossed it at Caiyan.”
“Maybe she did it on purpose,” Gerry said.
I huffed, and Gertie cleared her throat at me.
“How do we know she’s not working with them?” Tina asked.
“Yeah,” I said.
“What if she reveals our location to the Mafusos?” Ace chimed in. “I mean, she did leave with them on her own accord.”
Yes, Ace. Make Jake see it’s a dangerous move. I couldn’t bear to watch Caiyan and Victory work with my team, not to mention baby McGregor’s impending arrival. My inner voice held up a pair of knitted booties, and I cursed out loud.
Jake’s phone pinged again. Saved by the bell.
“They want Jennifer to meet them, with the puzzle box.”
“Me?”
“They think you’re the weak link, cupcake.” Gerry said.
Jake texted back.
“What did you say?” I asked him.
“I told them, I’m not sending you alone. We will match our defenders to whatever muscle Gian-Carlo brings.”
We sat in silence, everyone waiting for the next ping. When it arrived, Jake read aloud.
“She can bring three people. Only WTF, no goons, no guns, and if Marco is present, he’s not allowed to wear his key.”
“Why the fuck not?” Marco fussed.
