She looked as if she were about to argue so Ethan stepped up to her. “I’ll make it worth your while,” he whispered. “You can have your choice of assignments next time.”

  A cat-that-ate-the-canary smile slid across her face, and she gave a clipped nod before turning to Wes. “Ready to go?”

  He nodded. “Sorry I was so lame tonight, Jen. Guess it’s the change in time zones. I’ll be more help tomorrow, and we can get going on that article.”

  “Sounds good,” Jennie answered.

  “I have a rental car. Should I just come back here in the morning, then?”

  “No,” Ethan said, so forcefully it made Wes jump. “It’s better if one of us picks you up. We can’t risk anyone following you here.”

  Wes saluted. “Got it.”

  Ethan waited for Wes to try to hug Jennie good-night, but the guy headed out with Dani. Maybe Ethan had been too hard on him. If Jennie had once dated him, he had to have some redeeming qualities.

  After the door closed, Jennie faced Ethan. “I’m sorry he’s an additional concern for you when you already have so much on your plate.”

  Ethan opened his mouth to say “no problem,” but he’d be lying so he closed it.

  “The last few years have really been hard on him,” Jennie went on while she sliced the corners of a blue mat. “He was in a motorcycle accident and sustained a head injury. He lost all ability to filter his emotions and ended up turning into an adrenaline junkie. He didn’t want a boring, predictable life, so that’s why we broke up.” She smiled and flipped the mat. “Sounds like he’s finally realized he was throwing his life away, and with counseling, he’s back on track.”

  Ethan felt like a heel for being so tough on the guy.

  Kat returned, a broad smile on her face. “They’ve found Munoz. He admitted to destroying the gallery, tailing Jennie on the train and trashing her house. But he denies having anything to do with the attempt on Ashley’s life or the incident at the photo shoot.”

  “Typical move,” Ethan said. “Cop to the lesser charges to make them think he’s cooperating.”

  “Actually, Tilden thinks Munoz is on the up-and-up.”

  “He say why?” Ethan pulled out a chair and straddled it.

  Kat sat next to him. “Munoz claims someone from the Sotos organization contacted him and told him Sotos wanted a picture destroyed. He didn’t say what was in the picture, just to retrieve it along with the negatives and digital copies.” She looked at Jennie. “You’re not going to like this part, but once he was sure he had everything, he was supposed to kill you.”

  Jennie shrugged. “It’s not like it’s a surprise, but I don’t like having it confirmed.”

  “Here’s where it gets interesting,” Kat added. “Munoz says after he took the negatives from your house, he had the pictures printed. He figured if Sotos was so desperate for the pictures, he had something big to hide. When he saw the one of Sotos, he sent it to Caldera, who identified the other man in the picture.”

  “Who is he?” Jennie sounded breathless with anticipation.

  “Antonio Maceno, a high-ranking Mexican law-enforcement official. Munoz thinks the guy’s on Sotos’s payroll and Sotos didn’t want anyone to find out or he’d lose a valuable asset.”

  Finally, they knew what this was about. Ethan felt the excitement build in his gut. “A great motive for wanting to keep Jennie from displaying the picture.”

  “So how was Munoz going to use the photo?” Jennie asked as she dropped onto a chair.

  “If the alliance between Sotos and Maceno didn’t come out in the gallery opening, he’d give the negatives to the DEA, hoping they’d bring down Sotos, thus avenging his cousin’s death.”

  “Finally, we know what this is all about.” Jennie’s words echoed Ethan’s thoughts.

  “One thing I can’t figure out, though,” Kat said. “How did Sotos know about the picture in the first place? I mean, the exhibit hasn’t opened yet and it’s not like you know him.”

  “Good question,” Jennie agreed. “I suppose he could have seen me that day, but if he did, why wait so long to try to get the picture back?”

  Ethan was just as curious, but he wasn’t going to waste any time searching out an answer right now. His number one priority was to make sure Jennie stayed safe. And now that they were certain a ruthless killer like Sotos was behind these attacks, they needed to make sure Sotos didn’t find Jennie and end her life.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Yawning, Jennie reached for her pajamas draped across the bed in Kat’s guest room. She couldn’t wait to change clothes and sink into the softness of the pillow-top mattress. She switched off the overhead lamp and crossed the room. As she passed the window, a rustling sound outside caught her attention. She peeked through the blinds.

  The inky-black night thick with clouds gave her little to see. Not that there was likely anything to see. It’d been so quiet since everyone had gone home that each creak and groan sent her imagination into overdrive.

  She held her breath and listened. There it was again. A sound as if someone was sneaking through the shrubs alongside the house. Could be a cat or dog, but they wouldn’t make this much noise, would they?

  Fear inching up her back, she ran to the hallway and toward Kat’s room to wake her. Kat was already standing there, gun drawn and eyes watchful.

  “I think someone’s outside.” Jennie ran her hands up and down her arms as if she could still her fear.

  “I’m on my way to check it out.” Kat motioned down the hall. “You go back to your room and call Ethan. Tell him what’s going on.”

  That meant she’d be alone. “But I—”

  “No buts, Jennie. Do as I say.” Kat used her cop stare, and Jennie knew better than to argue.

  Heading down the hall, she tried to stem her anxiety. Though not Ethan’s blood relative, Kat had sounded just like him. In control and prepared.

  She’d take care of her, wouldn’t she?

  Jennie stopped outside her door and watched Kat descend the stairs. Gun outstretched, she inched down them like a stalking cat. When she disappeared from view, Jennie went into the bedroom. She grabbed her cell off the nightstand and dialed Ethan.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice was both sleepy and alert at the same time.

  She went to the window and peeked out. “There’s someone prowling around outside.”

  He hissed out a breath. “Where are you?”

  “In my room.”

  “And Kat?”

  “She went outside to check.”

  “Stay where you are until I get there.” She could hear him rushing around, maybe getting dressed. “Stay away from the window. Understand?”

  “Yes.” She backed away and leaned against the wall.

  “Jen?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Promise me you won’t go outside.”

  “I just said I understand.”

  “Yeah, but that was me telling you what to do, and sometimes you balk at being told what to do, so this is me asking.”

  Despite the tension, she laughed. “I’ll stay inside.”

  “And away from the window,” he added. “Call 9-1-1 when we hang up, okay?”

  “Okay.” Just hearing his voice was easing her fear, and knowing he’d soon be here helped even more.

  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes tops.” He disconnected.

  Twenty minutes? A lot could happen in twenty minutes. A member of the Sotos Cartel could easily kill her and Kat in twenty minutes. Or if not kill, seriously maim them.

  Terror took a firm hold and she backed toward the bed. She sat and dialed.

  “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

  “Someone’s outside the house. I think he’s trying to get in. I’m staying at a friend’s house. Oh, my gosh! What’s the address?” Panic raced up her spine.

  “Calm down and think.”

  Jennie tried to picture the bright silver numbers on the blue siding that she’d passed several times. She rattled off the address.

  “Good,” the operator said.

  A crash then a thump sounded outside.

  “Kat. Oh, no!”

  Please, God. Please!

  “Ma’am, is someone hurt?”

  “I’m not sure. My friend went out to check. She used to be a cop.”

  “How about you? Are you someplace safe?”

  Was she safe? Not if Kat was incapacitated, she wasn’t. But she wasn’t sure anyone had gotten to Kat.

  The front door smashed against the wall. She heard someone rushing through the downstairs. Moving at a fast clip. Maybe more than one person. Racing. No regard for anything in their path, if the crashing sounds were any indication.

  What should she do? Ethan didn’t say what to do if someone came into the house.

  Oh, God. Oh, God. Please help me.

  She kept her eyes on the door. Heard a whooshing sound then saw a flash of light in the space below. The caustic smell of smoke mixed with gasoline followed. She ran to the door. Cracked it open and peered into the hallway. A dark figure darted out the front door, illuminated by bright orange flames licking greedily up the stairs.

  She had to get out of there, but how? The stairs weren’t an option. The window. But what if that’s what they wanted—to smoke her out and shoot her? Did it matter? She’d die if she stayed in the house. At least she stood a chance with the window.

  “Ma’am, are you still there?” the operator asked, but Jennie couldn’t focus on her.

  Ethan, where are you? I need you now!

  “Ma’am?”

  “There’s a fire. He set the house on fire. I have to go.” She disconnected and ran across the room. She slipped into her jacket then shoved her phone into her pocket.

  Sick with fear, she headed for the bed and ripped off the sheets, then with trembling hands tried to tie them together.

  The room felt like an inferno. Sweat dripped down her forehead. She wanted to yank off her jacket but she’d need it when she went out the window. Smoke rolled under the door, filling the room. Her throat felt as if she’d swallowed razor blades and her chest begged for relief.

  A loud crash sounded in the hallway as if the stairs had collapsed. She glanced at the door. Flames curled up under it, seeking fresh wood.

  She had no time to finish the sheets. She had to move now or die.

  The world in slow motion, she ripped down the blinds and lifted the window. She searched the area, expecting to see a man from the Sotos Cartel with gun drawn and aimed her way. She found only blackness lit with flames from the windows on the first floor.

  She crashed a chair through the screen then ducked back inside before a bullet flew through the air.

  God, please be with me and keep me safe.

  She climbed onto the sill, eyeing the ground below and jumped, hoping, praying, pleading she wasn’t leaping to her death.

  * * *

  Phone to his ear, Ethan grabbed his weapon and keys then headed to the door.

  The phone rang for the fourth time.

  “C’mon, Cole. Answer.” He took a deep breath to keep his frustration over his brother not answering from getting to him.

  The call went to voice mail. He hung up then hit Redial and tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder. He slipped his key into the lock and twisted the dead bolt. As if outside his body, he noted his trembling hands and heart beating double, maybe triple, time.

  He’d never been so worried in his life. Except maybe when the police came to the door to notify him of his parents’ murder. The officers had been waiting for him as he’d pulled into his driveway. Their posture and expressions told him they’d come for a death notification. Ethan just hadn’t known who had died.

  Third ring.

  “What?” Cole grumbled.

  “We have an incident. I need you to get back to Kat’s house ASAP.” Ethan clicked the remote to unlock his truck.

  “What happened?” Cole sounded more alert.

  “There’s someone prowling around the outside of the house.”

  “Aw, man, you woke me for that? It’s probably just the neighbor’s dog again. You know how it likes to dig up Kat’s prize roses.”

  “And if it’s the cartel? Do you want to be responsible for what happens to Kat and Jennie if it’s more of Sotos’s men?” Ethan slid into his truck and revved the engine.

  Cole groaned. “I’m on my way, but if it’s a false alarm, you owe me.”

  Ethan chose to ignore the “owing” bit. His gut said this wasn’t a false alarm. “If you haul yourself out of bed at a decent speed, you’ll easily beat me there.”

  “I’m already up.”

  “Good. Call me the minute, and I mean the minute, you arrive.”

  Ethan disconnected and backed out of his parking space at the town-house complex. He raced through the streets, thankful it was so late at night and the usually thick traffic was all but nonexistent. He should gain at least five minutes on the twenty he’d promised Jennie.

  He concentrated on driving, weaving around the few cars he did find, pressing the truck to the upper end of safe limits and looking at the clock every few minutes.

  Five had passed since he’d hopped into the truck.

  God, please keep Kat and Jennie safe. Please. If anyone has to die tonight, let it be me. Don’t take another member of my family or the woman I love. Please.

  His phone rang from its holder on the dash. Cole.

  “What’s going on?” Ethan asked, breathless with concern.

  “You were right. It’s not a false alarm. Someone torched the house and it’s completely engulfed in flames.”

  “What about Jen and Kat?” Ethan asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

  “No sign of either of them yet. But hang on, I’m circling the house now. I can’t get very close.” He sounded out of breath. Ethan knew he was moving fast.

  Still, Ethan wanted to push his brother as he was now pushing his gas pedal to the floor, not caring about safe limits anymore.

  “Wait,” Cole said. “I see someone up ahead.”

  “And?”

  “Can’t tell anything from here. I need to put the phone in my pocket now. I have to move some debris to get to whoever it is.”

  “Get back on the phone as soon as you know anything.” Ethan slammed a hand on the wheel.

  He was still five minutes out. It was going to be the longest five minutes of his life.

  * * *

  Pain pulled Jennie from darkness. Her skull threatened to explode. Nausea twisted her stomach. She wanted to open her eyes to see where she was but couldn’t make the effort. She sensed a steady rhythm of tires rolling over pavement, but that was impossible, wasn’t it? She’d just jumped from the bedroom and couldn’t be in a car.

  Maybe Ethan had arrived, found her injured and arranged for an ambulance. No, she was sitting up, not lying on her back. Was she with Ethan in his truck?

  She tried to lift her eyelids again. Heavy. Too heavy. She tried to speak. Her lips wouldn’t move.

  Lord, You obviously saved me from death in the fall. Thank You. Now please help me.

  She listened to the wheels thrumming over the asphalt and waited for the strength to move. She should be jubilant over making it out of the inferno alive and pumped up with adrenaline. Inferno. Poor Kat. Her house was toast.

  Wait! Kat. How was Kat? Jennie had to know.

  She bore down and forced her mouth to open. “Kat? How’s Kat?”

  “I don’t know, Jen. I didn’t see her.”

  “Wes?” she croaked out through cracked lips. Her throat felt as if she’d swallowed shards of glass, but she forced her head to roll toward the voice then pried her eyes open. “Why…” She couldn’t manage any more.

  He glanced at her. “I guess you want to know why you’re with me.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “I left my cell phone at Kat’s place. I didn’t have her phone number, so I came back to see if anyone was still awake and pick it up.” He let out a low whistle. “The house was on fire, and I found you lying on the ground. I scooped you up before the smoke got to you.”

  “Oh.” She thought she said the word, but maybe her mouth just formed it.

  “You were unconscious. I wanted to call 9-1-1 and wait for paramedics to arrive, but like I said, I didn’t have my phone to call them, so I’m taking you to the E.R.” He patted her knee. “You don’t know how glad I am that you’re moving. I thought maybe you were a goner.”

  “Kat? Did you find Kat?”

  “Ah, no. Sorry. There was no one else around.”

  Jennie’s heart constricted and she wanted to sink back into oblivion. But maybe Kat was all right and Wes just didn’t see her.

  “Call her,” Jennie said.

  “I don’t have her number.”

  “My phone. Jacket pocket.”

  “I really think we should just keep going. I’ll call her when we get to the hospital.”

  “Now!” Jennie shouted, surprised she managed to get the word out so forcefully.

  “Okay, relax. I’ll pull over and call.”

  Exhausted, she closed her eyes and felt the car slowing to a stop then Wes retrieving her phone.

  “Is she in the directory?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “There she is.” He hummed and Jennie figured he was waiting for Kat to answer. But how odd to be so calm and humming in a situation that would normally make Wes jumpy.

  “Hello, Kat,” Wes said then fell silent for a few moments. “Yeah, she’s with me. I’m taking her to the E.R.” He paused and then Jennie heard him explain about coming by for his phone. “She’s pretty out of it, but we can try.” He touched her shoulder. “Jen, she wants to talk to you.”