SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,21
a tail, which I doubt, the tracker is a liability.”
“Her father won’t agree. You know her history.”
A slight nod. “I think I have a solution to satisfy her father and shut down his tracker. Use ours.”
Kristi scowled. “I’m not exchanging one tracker for another one. I’ll still be vulnerable.”
“The only people with access to the tracker frequency are Brent, Zane Murphy, our tech wizard, and my team. Zane has so many firewalls in place that no one outside our circle can access the information.”
“You said the tracker is under the skin at my lower back. Will the Fortress tracker be in the same place?”
“I can do that,” Jackson said. “However, we also have jewelry or watches with a tracker embedded in the design.”
She breathed easier. “I like that idea much better.”
“Rafe?” Brent looked at him. “Preference?”
He glanced at Kristi. “Might be overkill, but I want you to wear the jewelry and the watch.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. Will I have to return to the hospital to have Dad’s tracker removed?”
“I’ll take care of it before we leave PSI,” Jackson said.
“That’s another source of concern,” Rafe said. “By now, whoever is behind Kristi’s kidnapping knows she’s at PSI. If he digs deep enough, he’ll connect PSI to Fortress.”
Brent folded his arms. “In other words, our anonymity is shot.” He scowled. “Not what I wanted to hear, Torres.”
“I’m not a fan myself, sir.”
“I’ll send an operative to Otter Creek with the jewelry and watch. You should have it by this afternoon. In the meantime, Eli, stay at PSI. Since we don’t know how many men are involved in this plot, you need to cover your bases before you leave the compound.”
“Yes, sir.” Eli glanced at Rafe before returning his attention to his boss. “You’re assigning Wolf Pack as Kristi’s protection detail?”
“That’s right. Problem?”
“Nope. You mind checking on Brenna and Dana?”
A slow smile formed on Brent’s mouth. “I’ll be happy to. Alexa and Rowan would love to spend time with them.”
Kristi noticed that Jon seemed to relax at those words. Interesting. What was his connection to the women? The other Wolf Pack member, Cal, looked as though he wanted to say something, but didn’t speak up.
Brent looked at Cal and said, “I’ve already checked on your woman. Rachelle is fine.”
Rafe’s teammate smiled and saluted Brent.
“Do you need to tell me anything else before I bring in Stewart?”
“I’ll contact Marcus and ask him to talk with Kristi,” Rafe said.
A slight nod. “Good. Kristi?”
“Yes, sir?”
“If you need anything, tell Rafe or another member of Wolf Pack. If we don’t have it, we’ll arrange to get it for you.”
“The only thing I need is to find out who’s behind the kidnapping. I want my life back.”
“We won’t stop until we’ve unmasked the culprit.” He studied her a moment. “What else?”
Good grief. Brent Maddox was observant. “I need to be in Bakerhill on Monday.”
“Unless we have the kidnapper wrapped up, that’s not a good idea.”
“I have a design consult that can’t wait. The bride is marrying a Marine in two weeks, and he’s deploying a week after the wedding. I promised to design and make her dress. I can’t let her down.”
“We’ll handle the security arrangements,” Eli said. “This is important, Brent.”
On the table, Rafe’s hand fisted.
Kristi glanced at him, flinching at the anger sparking in his eyes, before turning back to Brent. “I can’t hide. I have a business to run with deadlines that can’t be moved. I’ll fully cooperate with Wolf Pack, but I have to return.”
A slow nod from Brent. “We’ll work it out. I’ll bring in your father now.”
A minute later, Alan Stewart appeared on the screen. “Kristi! Sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re safe.” He stopped speaking abruptly, a scowl forming on his face. “Turn your face to the side. Is that a bruise?”
Kristi turned her face to let him see her jaw. “I’m fine, Dad. The doctor said I’ll recover in a few days.”
“Where else are you hurt?”
“I’m not showing you my ribs or the back of my head.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Positive. Stop worrying. Rafe and his teammates are taking great care of me.”
Alan turned his attention to Rafe. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to repay you for saving my daughter.”
“I didn’t do it alone, sir. Several people were involved.”
“Still, I owe you. Brent tells me that you risked your life going after Kristi before the others arrived.” A grim expression settled on his face. “I shudder to think what might have happened to my daughter if