Page 6 of Renegade
“Gemma, shut the fuck up or I’m going to put a gag on you,” I say mildly. “I’ll tell you everything, but stop interrupting.” I fix her with a pointed stare, and she gives me an impish grin and then pretends to zip her lips, tossing the invisible key over her shoulder before sitting back and looking at me expectantly.
“I was convinced Noah was just using McKenzie to get to the guns and might hurt her, so when they docked in Borneo, I kidnapped her from the ladies’ restroom and took her to my hotel and explained everything. Then I made the mistake of going down to get her something to eat.” I pause and shake my head. I’m still pissed at myself for making such a stupid-ass mistake. I should have known better.
“Someone, I don’t know who—she described him as cold, military-taught, and pretty much a trained killer—came to the door, held her at gunpoint, and took her down to his car.” My voice hardens at the memory. “Luckily, Noah had been looking for her and got to her before the asshole could hurt her. Noah’s actually NCIS, working undercover for El Gato, investigating potential illegal activity by military personnel, specifically illegal arms dealing.”
Gemma is looking at me wide-eyed, but she doesn’t say anything.
“He’s one of the good guys, and he and I are going to get to the bottom of this. Because McKenzie is in trouble; we’re just not sure why. All I know is that there’s a missing shipment of guns, and Liam’s bucket list somehow holds the clues to where they are. But we don’t know how, so we’ve got to follow the list and see where it leads us.
“I’m on leave for the next six weeks, so I’m going to chase down the things on the list that are in the States, while Kenzie and Noah dive in Malaysia and then move on to the other things on the list on that side of the world. No one knows I’m involved, so while whoever it is keeps an eye on them, I can pretty much operate under the radar here.”
Once she’s satisfied that I’m finished, Gemma says, “You’re sure McKenzie’s safe?”
I nod. “As safe as we can keep her. Noah was an outstanding SEAL. She’s probably safer with him than she could be with anyone else. But Jesse said he’d keep watch from a distance if they need backup.”
Gemma smiles at the mention of the outspoken SEAL with a Southern drawl who has been on plenty of missions with both me and Liam. I’d trust him with my life.
“That’s good then.” Gemma polishes off the last few fries and then licks her fingers. “You know you can stay with me as long as you want.”
“Thanks, Gem. I just may do that. Until I know who’s after McKenzie and why, we can’t be too careful. I want to make sure you and Charlotte are okay, too.” The thought of someone hurting Gemma has my fist clenching. “I protect what’s mine.”
