Free Still The One (Family Stone #4 Jack) (Family Stone Romantic Suspense) by Lisa Hughey Page A

employees as well. “I’m worried about Ava’s safety.” If the order to observe and acquire was for his brother, Con could take care of himself, but Ava....
    “It’s slim.”
    “But if I know about Maria and Ava, it’s a very strong possibility that Fernandez does too.”
    “True.”
    “I need to call Connor.”
    “Absolutely not.” Bliss didn’t say anything else.
    Shit. She wasn’t going to let him call. Well fuck that. What had happened to the compassionate woman he’d been in love with years ago?
    “I need to warn them.”
    “We can’t take the chance that Fernandez has somehow been alerted to the fact that we had a tap on that phone.”
    “What about the chance that Ava is in danger?”
    “Maria is more important that Ava Sanchez.” Her face was a cold mask as she shut him down. Her fingers were clenched white around her biceps.
    “Seriously?”
    “It’s for the greater good,” Bliss insisted stubbornly.
    Fuck. That.
    Jack knew from the look on her face, the same look she’d worn when she’d kicked him out years ago that she wasn’t going to budge. He couldn’t call from the plane anyway, they’d chosen to go unplugged for the corporate jet, so he’d have to wait until they landed.
    “Let’s focus on what we’re going to do once we get to Monterey.”
    They hammered out a plan, both kept the conversation tight, discussing how they were going to tail Fernandez, and when would be a good time to visit the house where Maria was kept captive. And how they were going to stay away from Jack’s office and his siblings.
    Jack appreciated her ordered plan and her insight on tracking down Maria. But he had no intention of leaving Con and Ava in the dark.
    Hours later they landed in California. Shane brought them down with a smooth as butter landing. As they taxied off the runway and toward their private storage hanger, Jack itched to pull out his phone.
    Jack’s worry had grown proportionally with every minute they were in the air. He needed to talk to Connor. Wanted to make sure Ava was okay. She was like another sister to him.
    While Bliss went to the bathroom, Jack made an executive decision and dialed Connor. “Con?” Jack barked.
    “Jack, it really isn’t a good time.” Con’s voice was tense.
    Jack could hear sirens and shouting in the background. It sounded like complete chaos.
    “Ava is in danger,” Jack spit out.
    Con said, “Jess, get down here now.”
    Jess? Jack actually took his phone away from his ear and stared at it for a second.
    Con spoke rapidly, “I know. I was trying to fix it.”
    “I’m worried she’s going to be abducted,” Jack continued.
    “I stopped it.”
    “Oh, thank God.” Jack let a swell of relief roll over him. If Con had taken care of it, everything was good.
    “But Jack,” Con said. “I’m about to mess up GHR’s good name.”
    Fuck GHR. “Ava’s safe?”
    “You aren’t listening to me. I fucked up and GHR is going to be all over the news.”
    Jack ignored whatever Con thought he’d done. The most important issues were Ava and Con’s safety. “Ava’s okay? You’re okay?”
    “Yes.”
    “Thank you, Con, I’m proud of you. You did a good job.”
    Bliss burst out of the head and ran toward him, a look of pure panic on her face. “Who are you talking to?”
    “Shit,” Jack blurted out. “Got to run.”
    Bliss grabbed for his cell phone. “Get off that phone now.”
    She managed to curl her fingers around his phone and yanked, but since Jack had relayed the message he didn’t care.
    “You’re going to ruin.” She jabbed the end button on his cell. “Everything.”
    He’d protected his family.
    Bliss shouted. “Jesus, Jack. Are you trying to send up a spotlight letting Fernandez know we’re onto him and that we’ve lost Maria? And that we’re in California?”
    “First of all, I didn’t mention Maria at all,” Jack spoke calmly, quietly. He’d warned his brother and Con was on top of it. That was all he cared about