“Small price to pay.” Grady laughed quietly. “How was work?”
“Good. We found a young woman who had been held captive for the last five years.”
“How is she?”
“Physically, she’s fine. Mentally, she has a long road ahead of her, filled with years of counseling, but she’s got a lot of people who love her. She’ll be okay.”
“Sounds like one hell of a win, babe.”
“How about your mission?”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” he said.
There was something in his voice though. Not fear, but something. Worry? “What aren’t you telling me?”
Grady was quiet for a long moment before he answered. “The rescue mission involves pissing off a very dangerous family. They’re well connected, and not just in Mexico, but in the United States, too.”
I nodded to myself. “You’re worried about blowback.”
“We all are. The last time we took on a job this serious, we didn’t have families. That’s changed. It’s making us look at things differently.”
“Who’s the victim?”
“Our intel tells us that two women and a DEA agent are being held in one of the buildings on the compound.”
“Can you get them out and stay whole?”
“The mission itself isn’t a problem. We can go in tonight.”
“Then do it.”
“And if there is blowback?”
“It won’t be the first time we’ve had bad guys at our doorstep. We’ll keep the family safe. If we don’t keep fighting for the victims, though, who will?”
Grady was quiet again.
“What do you need?”
“I need you to ramp up security. I’d also like to tell Nick goodnight.”
“I’ll talk to Tech, Tyler, and Wayne about security.” I turned toward the dining room. Tyler had just returned and heard me say his name. Tech also looked up. “Hattie will take the phone to Nick so you can say goodnight.”
Hattie nodded, walking over to me.
“I love you,” Grady whispered.
“I love you, too, but I’m going to be really pissed if you don’t get your ass home safely, Mr. Tanner.”
Grady chuckled, but it didn’t hold his usual carefree tone. “Yes, ma’am.”
I handed the phone to Hattie, and she greeted Grady as she walked down the hall.
“What’s wrong?” Katie asked.
Tweedle grabbed Bridget’s hand. Bridget squeezed hers back just as tight.
“They’re okay,” I said, joining them back at the table. “The mission itself isn’t the issue.”
“Then what is?” Lisa asked, holding baby Abigail against her chest.
“The cartel has connections in the U.S. If they find out who rescued the prisoners, they’ll come after all of us.”
“You’re rattled,” Tyler said, laying a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve been down this road before—more than once. We can handle it. So why are you rattled?”
“I don’t know.” I ran a shaking hand through my hair. “It was something in Grady’s voice. He sounded… spooked? Like he was expecting something bad to happen.”
“Then we take precautions,” Lisa said. “We go on red alert. We keep the kids close.”
“Lisa’s right,” Anne said. “We don’t cower. We don’t back down.”
“I’ll alert the security team,” Tyler said, heading toward the front door.
“I’ll call my uncle and warn everyone at home to be on the lookout for trouble,” Tweedle said, nodding.
“I’ll call Headquarters,” Wayne said.
“I’ll call Haley and Kemp,” Bridget said.
“Alex is on a date tonight, but I’ll call him anyway,” Lisa said.
“With who?” I asked Lisa.
“He wouldn’t say, but I’ll find out one way or another,” Lisa said, winking as she handed Abigail off to Beth. Beth’s dog Storm sat up and sniffed Abigail, making her squeal and spit bubbles.
“Everyone needs to be moved to one of the houses. We can’t have people scattered all over town and unprotected. That includes you, Beth. Either we cancel school for a couple of weeks, or you’ll need to stay here.”
“Storm will protect me.”
“They’ll shoot him,” Whiskey said, shaking his head. “No. Kelsey’s right. Either you stay away or you stay under our roof until we have this sorted.”
“Where on earth would I sleep? This house is packed to the rafters.”
“You’d be surprised how many people we can cram into the houses,” Katie said.
“And Storm?”
“He’s welcome, too,” Katie assured her.
“Beth,” I said, gaining her attention. “I need you to understand how dangerous this is. We are talking about a Mexican cartel. They’re ruthless. If you stay, you could be putting yourself in danger.”
“A month ago, I would’ve run,” she admitted. “I’ve seen and heard enough since then, though, to understand the danger your family faces because you protect strangers. I’m in. I might not be a soldier or a profiler, but I know self-defense and I own a gun. If someone’s coming after this family, I’ll be one of the people they’ll have to go through to get to those kids.”
A single tear slipped past my guard. I couldn’t believe how incredibly strong this woman in front of me was.
“Welcome to the family,” Hattie said to Beth from the end of the hallway, nodding in approval. “Now, let’s get to work, everyone. Katie, call the club and get the rest of the bunk beds out of storage. Tech and Whiskey, check the windows and doors and set the alarm. Carl, check to make sure your new heat sensors are working to monitor the woods. Bridget and Tweedle, make a grocery list. I’m calling Texas to warn them.” Hattie handed me my phone as she started for the stairs. “And, sunshine, stop the waterworks. There’ll be time for crying later.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, laughing as I wiped another tear away.
Chapter Nine
It was a long night. By nine we had warned everyone we could think of calling. Even the local police were on alert. By midnight, we had all the bunk beds put together and ready when needed. Beth was settled in the upstairs spare bedroom. Bridget, Haley, and Kemp were staying at Alex’s house. Tweedle had moved into Lisa’s house. James and Wayne agreed to stay at Lisa’s house to protect them until Donovan and Ryan returned. Trigger, Nightcrawler, and Tyler had claimed bunk beds in the basement. Security patrols were doubled. The tunnels were opened to move people between the houses if needed. We were ready. Or at least, I was praying we were.
“You should get some sleep,” Tyler said. “You barely slept last night.”
“You only know that because you were up half the night too.”
“You both need to go to bed,” Wayne said, refilling his coffee cup in the kitchen before joining us at the dining room table. “There’s no threat tonight. If there’s blowback, it will be after the mission. Sleep while you can. I need you both to be ready in the days ahead.”
“What wasn’t Grady telling me, Wayne?” I asked. “I know him. He was holding something back.”
Wayne watched me, reaching a hand out to grasp mine. “The DEA agent. He knows her. They used to be close. She’s a bitch, but she’s good at her job. Likely Grady’s thinking that if they got to her, they can get to anyone.”
“How was she taken?”
“That’s the freakiest part. They took her from her home. Somehow they surprised her and had her across the border before anyone knew she was missing.”
“Holy crap,” Tyler said.
“What’s her name?” I asked Wayne.
“Sebrina.”
I remembered seeing the name on Grady’s phone about a month ago. I thought she was an employee of Aces who I’d never met. “He still talks to her,” I said, looking up at Wayne. “Are they still close?”
“Sometimes.” Wayne nodded. “Sometimes they’re friends. Sometimes they hate each other. They’ve been circling like that nea
r as long as I can remember.” Wayne took another drink of his coffee before sighing. “Sebrina’s what they call a handful, and I’m not talking about her cleavage.”
“He still loves her,” I whispered.
“He’s afraid for her,” Wayne argued. “He doesn’t know if she’s still alive, and if she is, what they’ve done to her. And on top of that, he’s afraid they’ll come after you and the kids next.”
I nodded, standing up and turning toward my bedroom.
“He loves you, Kelsey,” Wayne called out. “Don’t ever forget that.”
“I know he loves me, Wayne,” I answered, stopping to look back at him. “But we both know you can love more than one person.”
I thought about Grady as I made my way down the hall. Was I jealous? I shook my head, closing my bedroom door behind me.
I understood still loving someone from your past. A part of me would always love Eric, may he rest in peace. He was the truest of friends and had a generous soul. Another part of me would always love Wild Card, too. A woman couldn’t wish for a better fake husband.
I had to admit, I’d never been in a situation where I had to save the life of one of my exes. I couldn’t imagine the raw feelings that would surface in that scenario. If Wild Card were in danger, I’d risk everything to save him. I had no doubt. Just like I had no doubt that even though Grady would hate it, he’d understand. He’d support my decision, even if it hurt. That meant I had to be strong for Grady. I had to find a way to help him through this. He would do the same for me.
I slid my boots off, tossing them toward the closet. Opening my nightstand, I checked the clip on my Glock, setting it beside the lamp. I lay back on the bed, forcing myself to slow my breathing and close my eyes. It felt like an hour before I stopped hearing the ticking of the clock in the atrium.
~*~*~
I had been dreaming, but I couldn’t remember about what. Everything in my mind faded and wisps of fog and blackness surrounded me. I stood, fully dressed, reaching a hand into the fog. It felt hot to the touch. More like steam.
“I’ve been here before,” I said to myself, “but it was cold last time.”
I stepped forward, the melting fog coating my skin like sweat.
Leaves rustled to my right as everything around me came to life. I was in a road. A woman sat slumped in a Jeep next to me. The heavy forest rustled again and three men carrying guns rushed out. The gun in my hands started firing in their direction as they started shooting back. My gun was still throwing bullets when a hot stabbing pain ripped through my right shoulder.
I screamed. I threw a hand over my mouth, stifling my own scream as I realized I was sitting up in bed, awake.
Wayne ran into my bedroom, turning on the light. I saw he had his handgun out as he searched the room. When he realized I was alone, he holstered his weapon and pulled me into his arms. “You’re okay. It was just a dream.”
I felt my tears running down the back of my throat. “Grady was shot,” I whispered.
“He’s fine. It was just a dream.”
Gripping the sides of his face, I stared at him. “No, Wayne. Grady was shot! I saw it. I don’t know what happened next.”
Wayne stared back at me. “Fuck.”
~*~*~
There wasn’t a safe way to contact the guys. They’d have a satellite phone, but even if they had it turned on, it wasn’t safe to call them. To distract them. My scream had woken the whole house, including Katie and Tech from their apartment above the garage. Hattie and Tech managed to convince the kids I’d had a nightmare and settled them back into bed. The adults knew, just by looking at me, that it was more than that.
Whiskey made a pot of coffee while Anne loaded a plate of leftover muffins. James escorted Lisa, Abigail, and Tweedle up the basement stairs. Both Lisa and Tweedle were shaking. Bridget and Tyler entered through the garage door.
“We heard you scream. What is it? What happened?” Lisa asked.
I sat at the dining room table and looked at Bridget first. “We need better soundproofing in the houses if I woke everyone at Alex’s house.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Bridget joined me at the table. “I was patrolling with Tyler.”
“We don’t have the details, yet,” Wayne said, helping Lisa into a chair. “Kelsey thinks Grady was shot.”
“The voodoo witch thing?” Anne asked.
I nodded, watching my hands tremble.
“Voodoo?” James asked. “Have you all been smoking whacky weed?”
“You don’t have to believe it, man,” Wayne said. “I’ve seen Grady and Kelsey go through this shit too many times, though.”
“What happened?” Tweedle asked, still standing near the basement doorway.
“Come sit down, dear,” Hattie said, guiding her toward the table.
Everyone found a seat at either the oversized dining room table or one of the stools at the breakfast bar. Only Tyler remained standing, leaning against the wall between the dining room and kitchen. For a crowded room, it was quiet. They watched me, patiently waiting for me to explain.
“I don’t know anything. Not really. I know Grady was shot in the shoulder. I don’t know what happened after that.”
“Do you know where they were?” Wayne asked.
I shook my head. “A woman was lying in the Jeep. I think it may have been Sebrina. I didn’t see anyone else except the three men who were shooting at Grady.”
“Tech?” Wayne said. “I need satellite images. I have the coordinates of the compound.”
Tech grabbed his laptop off the credenza and booted it up, nodding.
“Uh, Kel?” Tyler said, holding a hand up to his ear com. “I hate to interrupt, but while they dig through maps or whatever, do you mind stepping outside? Nightcrawler’s currently holding a shotgun on a vehicle of unknown visitors, threatening to blow their heads off.”
I glanced up at the clock. It was four in the morning. “Katie, give me your gun. Mine is still in my bedroom.”
“Locked and loaded,” she said, handing hers over. “I’ll get yours along with a holster.”
Tyler stepped out the front door first, nodding for me to follow after he looked around. A dark sedan was stopped fifty yards from my driveway. Nightcrawler stood centered between the car’s headlights with a shotgun aimed at the windshield.
“Baby girl,” Pops yelled from the passenger side window, “call your dog off!”
“Let him through!” I yelled loud enough for the guards lurking in the shadows to hear.
Nightcrawler lowered the shotgun and stepped to the side to let the vehicle pass. The headlights were turned off as the vehicle pulled into the driveway. Not only had Pops come, but Jackson was driving.
I greeted Pops first, comforted by his strong arms holding me. I barely turned before Jackson lifted me into a tight hug. Tyler grabbed their overnight bags from the trunk.
“Who you calling a dog, old man,” Nightcrawler said as he approached.
“Nightcrawler,” I said, pointing my finger at him, “if you take one more step toward my Pops with that attitude, I’ll shoot a kneecap off.”
Nightcrawler smirked before walking into the blackness around the side of the garage.
“That’s the name he goes by? Nightcrawler?” Jackson whispered. “Really?”
“Careful. He’s not someone you want to piss off.”
I heard an evil chuckle from somewhere in the darkness.
“Why are the lights on?” Pops asked, completely at ease.
“Let’s head inside. It’s not safe out here.”
“Where’s Reggie?” Jackson asked.
“Shit,” I said, looking at Tyler. “Is he still sleeping on the gym floor?”
Tyler shrugged.
“Was he drunk?” Jackson asked, looking between Tyler and me.
I shook my head. “He was interfering with my case. I ordered Trigger to shoot him with a tranquilizer gun.”
Jackson looked away, placing his fisted hands on his hips a
s he gritted his teeth in frustration.
Pops chuckled, steering me toward the front door. “Sounds about right.” Pops opened the door, stepping back to let me enter first. “That boy’s been a handful since the day he was born.”
“I’m going to Headquarters to check on him,” Jackson called out.
I waved a hand over my shoulder, indicating that I didn’t care, before stepping inside.
“So? Why is everyone up this early?” Pops asked, walking in behind me.
“Pops!” Hattie said, running over to hug him. “I wasn’t expecting you until late morning.”
“Jackson chartered a plane. Three more men who work with Aces flew back with us.”
“That’s good,” Wayne said from the dining room. “If we need to organize a rescue mission, I might need more men to run security here. Kelsey, come look at this satellite image.”
I joined him and Tech at the table and looked over Tech’s shoulder. They had satellite images of a large house surrounded by several outbuildings and what appeared to be a tall metal fence.
“Anything look familiar?”
“No. I could only see a dirt road and the forest. I didn’t see any buildings.”
“How wide was the road?” Wayne asked.
“Barely a car width wide. It was definitely a back road.”
Tech zoomed out, but the forest was too thick to see anything for miles. Two small cities, distanced about the same radius from the guys’ last known location, were possible options to the east.
“I can send two teams,” Wayne said, looking up at me. “I can have them scout both cities.”
“No.” I stepped over to Tweedle and placed a hand on her shoulder. “This is the part where we have to have faith. Sending more men will only complicate their situation.”
Tweedle wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Someone needs to run to the store. I need more flour. The best thing for me to do right now is to bake.”
“I sent some guys to the store earlier,” Tyler said. “We have enough flour to start a cookie factory.”
Tweedle smiled at him as she moved into the kitchen. “Any requests?”
“Chocolate chip cookies!” Katie said.
Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Page 8
