They left early the next morning. Sienna and Payton had sat together for most of the day, alternating between watching out for Cole, and then working on Sienna’s power when he was resting. That was how Jace was going to think of it, anyway. He was sure the big guy was going through far worse, but the girls didn’t need to know any more about it than they were already seeing through the connection. Cole would hold up. Any one of these men would die for their woman. That was obvious from the moment Jace laid eyes on them. He saw the same look on his face in the mirror, every morning since he’d met Sienna. There was something different about each of them, more than just their powers. They drew themselves to you. Even Keila, with her abrasive personality. He’d walk into battle willingly for every one of them, but he’d die for Sienna. It was an easy choice.

The sun wasn’t yet cresting the hills at the edge of the ranch when Jace pulled his truck out from the drive and onto the highway. Sienna rode shotgun, the rest of his truck filled with a small armory of “essentials.” The other couples each followed behind with a similar stash and short-wave radios to keep in touch, Payton riding with Lainey and Aaron. She was closest to both of them, and for now she seemed to be holding her own with Cole’s flashes of memory. Either that, or she still had some help. He glanced over at Sienna. The look of dogged concentration hadn’t left her face for hours. Fuck. She’d already learned how to spread her power way beyond right next to her, apparently all the way back to the other truck. His heart warmed even as worry surrounded him. She was one tough woman.

“I should go in alone.”

“Fuck that,” he said. “We’re going together.”

She turned to face him. “I can’t put anyone else in danger, Jace. Even you. I can feel Cole, too, but I’m not as . . . attached . . . as Payton is.” She swallowed. “I can find him without letting the pain get to me. I can do it.”

He shifted gears, shooting her an angry glance. “I’m not sitting on the sidelines and watching you rush in and disappear. For fuck’s sake, Sienna, you won’t get out of there alive.”

“Then I’ll take Isobel with me.”

There was exactly zero chance he was going to risk her life. If Sienna died, then it would be the end of him, too. “I’m not losing you, Sienna. I’ve only just found you and I’ll be damned if you’re going to just jump off that damn cliff again.”

He turned a corner, the tail end of the truck swinging out. Damn it. He had to get himself under control before they attracted any unwanted attention. Law enforcement around town knew him, and he’d got away with a lot of things. A small arsenal in the back of his truck probably wasn’t one of them.

Payton and Sienna had watched carefully whenever Cole was transported somewhere, taking note of the surroundings, building materials, anything that would pinpoint his exact location. Reece had then spent most of the previous afternoon on the phone, calling in favors, until they found it. Now, he was hauling ass down the highway at nearly eighty miles an hour, toward a dirt road that would lead them to Isobel’s hideout. Just like Payton had seen, she’d been close the entire time, running her operations out of an old warehouse complex that sat at a summit of the mountains to the north.

From the main road, all that would be visible was a simple dirt road, a sign banning trespassing flitting through Cole’s mind early on. That’s what they were looking for first, then a single-wire fence at the 135 mile marker. It was discreet enough that you’d miss it entirely if you weren’t watching closely. Looking ahead, the road was empty and clear. Jace turned to Sienna again, to make sure she was okay. She’d flattened a little from just moments before, her fiery attitude fading. She was resting against the window, her eyes red and her mouth set in a thin line. He reached over, grabbing her hand, but she swatted him away, rubbing her hand over her forehead. “Is it Cole? Is he getting to you? Pull it back, Sienna. Please.”

“No. I’ve got it controlled.” She looked over at him. “This ends today, Jace. Why wait?” The shaking was back. “Cole’s not doing so well.”

“And if you run in, and you’re surrounded, then what’ll you do?”

“I have to do this.” She was still wobbly, but there was fire in her eyes again. There was his girl.

He rubbed her arm, then picked up her hand, kissing her palm. “I understand that. Just as I need you to understand that I’ll be running right alongside you. This is it for me, Babe. This is where I need to be, too.”

She smiled at him before turning to look back at the road, the tension and confusion back on her face. Maybe if he kept her talking, her mind would stay with him in the car. As much as he felt for Cole—the guy had to be going through hell—he’d done it for his woman. Jace would have done exactly the same thing. He had to trust that Cole was strong enough to hold his own for a little longer. He needed to make sure Sienna didn’t wilt away before the battle even began.

“What’s the room that Cole’s in like? Tell me about it.”

“It’s concrete,” she said, her eyes fluttering closed for just a moment, before opening again and staring back out to the road. “They’re smooth, though, like they’re covered in some sort of lacquer or paint. There’s a light with a wire running over the ceiling and out the door. I think it’s connected to the system somehow, because the hallway lights flicker on whenever someone opens the door.”

He nodded. “So the place might not have an independent power system. They’re bringing it in from somewhere. That means she’s not there long term. Sienna, what if she only came here to follow you? What if she knows all about you? I know your mom didn’t tell you every detail, but if Isobel is half as crazy as you all think . . . there’s gotta be a reason for that.”

She ignored him, pointing out in front of them. “There it is. One hundred thirty-five miles.”

Jace pulled the truck over, turning onto the dirt road and then cutting the engine. “So what are we doing? You going to run in with me on your heels, or should we sit for a bit, watch the place?”

She took a deep breath and her mouth opened to reply, but before she could get the words out, his radio burst to life. Static filled the air, followed by Emily’s voice. “Whatever you just did, you better change your damn mind, because I just saw you both dead.”

She looked at him, eyes wide.

“Where are you?” Keila’s voice was next.

Sienna’s gaze locked onto his. She was so damn beautiful, and so damned scared. She was scared out of her mind, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. It was time to stop letting the fear of losing her go and trust her to take her power back. His woman was fierce, and together, there wasn’t anything they couldn’t do.

“I’m still going in, Jace.”

“I know, Darling. I’m not going to stop you. But you’re taking me along for the ride.”