Hide and Seek

by Velvet Vaughn

  “Peanut butter and jelly?”

  “Yes.”

  Normally he loved PB&J sandwiches, but after this nightmare experience, he didn’t think he’d ever be able to stomach one again. He twisted the tie off the loaf of bread and started to pull a piece out when a low rumble shook the ground.

  “What’s happening?” Grace asked in a panicked whisper.

  “I don’t know.” The sound grew louder. Kai tossed the bread aside and crawled to the peephole. Something big and black blocked his view. Several doors slammed.

  “Oh, no. Is he back?”

  Kai wasn’t sure, but if he was, he brought a whole parade of friends with him. That couldn’t be good. What if they fanned out to look for Grace and discovered their hiding place? The engines were so loud, he couldn’t hear anything. Or maybe that was his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

  Something clawed at the plank covering the opening.

  “Oh no, is it a bear?” Grace grabbed his arm, her eyes were wide with fear.

  If it was a bear, at the rate it was scratching, it’d bust right through the rotten wood in no time. Kai was trying to decide if he could tempt a bear to ignore the two small humans in favor of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when a loud “woof, woof” jerked him from his thoughts. Wait a minute…bears didn’t bark. And he recognized that sound. He dove for the opening, pushed the plank aside and was greeted with a sloppy wet tongue. “Midas!”

  “Kai?”

  “Dad!” Kai scrambled out of the hole, which was hard to do with Midas yelping and jumping all over him. He spotted his dad and he launched himself at him. His dad caught him, tears pouring down his face. Kai heard loud sobs and realized they were coming from him. His dad was squeezing him so tight it was hard to breathe, but he didn’t care. Midas was going crazy, leaping up on them, trying to wedge his way into the embrace.

  He knew he was too old to cry but he didn’t care. His dad was bawling, so it had to be okay. Besides, he was so happy, he couldn’t keep it all inside. His dad kept telling him how much he loved him and how he was so proud of him.

  “I knew you’d find me, Dad.”

  #

  “Midas!” Taylor experienced a burst of panic when the dog shot out of the truck. At first she thought he just needed to relieve himself, but then he lifted his nose in the air and took off running. Now he was pawing the ground and barking. She shot a glance at Dante and terror unlike anything she’d ever felt enveloped her. He looked destroyed. All the color had leached from his face. She didn’t even realize she was shaking her head and wailing “no” at the top of her lungs.

  And then, all of a sudden, a dark head appeared from the ground. Kai! He was alive. He took a running leap for his dad. She gasped and charged to the rock. Another dark head popped up. This one also had short, dark hair and it was sticking up in several places. Was there another child with them? Then the child turned around. “Mommy!”

  “Grace!” She skidded to the ground like she was sliding into home plate, her arms gathering her baby close. She was sobbing so hard, she couldn’t talk. Grace’s hands were locked around her neck, dangerously close to cutting off her oxygen supply. She rocked her daughter back and forth. When she could finally manage words, she repeated, “Thank you, God,” over and over. She pulled back and ran a hand over her daughter’s short, raggedy hair.

  “I’m sorry, Mommy,” she wailed. “He made the woman cut it off. It’s ugly.”

  “No, it’s not. You’re still the most beautiful girl in the world,” Taylor sobbed.

  “I have something for you.” Grace handed her a crushed purple flower, the bloom hanging off a broken stem. Several petals were missing.

  “I’ll treasure it always.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Dante wasn’t ready to let Kai go, but his friends were gathered around, anxiously awaiting to hug and congratulate his hero son. He reluctantly let Dorian tug Kai out of his arms.

  While they were fawning over his son, he glanced over at Taylor. She sat cross-legged on the ground, Grace on her lap, her arms and legs wrapped around Taylor’s torso. They were both crying and rocking. Tears pricked his eyes again and to cover, he padded to the hole in the ground where Kai emerged. A crumbling plank of wood covered with twigs was shoved off to the side. He knelt down and examined the opening. It was too small for him to fit, but he wedged himself in as far as possible. A flashlight was lying on a blanket so he reached in and flicked it on. He shined the beam around the space, impressed. Kai had made a nice cocoon for them. There were blankets and pillows and a big box packed full of food and water.

  A lump formed in his throat and it was hard to swallow. He was so damn proud of his son. That he managed to do all of this and outwit a murderer at his age was inconceivable. He inched back out of the hole and called out to his teammates. “Guys, come look at this.” They took turns sticking their heads inside to inspect Kai’s hiding space. When Sawyer backed out, he turned to Dante with a look of awe. “I really want to sign your kid up right now. I’m dead serious.”

  “Get in line,” Logan demanded. “He’s ours first.”

  Dan sauntered over with Kai on his shoulders. “That’s right, Oldham, he’s our snakelet.” They all stared at him in confusion. “It’s a baby snake…COBRA Securities…get it?” They all groaned and rolled their eyes but Dante couldn’t stop the delighted smile.

  “Kai, you are amazing,” Luke boasted.

  “Good on ya, mate,” Wyatt added.

  The local authorities were astounded at Kai’s resourcefulness and they took turns shaking his hand. A woman who introduced herself at Sergeant Suzette Hardy and her partner Chip Brown expressed their dismay that they didn’t find Kai and Grace last night when they checked out the property. More emergency personnel poured in until the drive was packed with vehicles. Kai showed them where Sweeney shot Lois, and Dante was distressed to find out he not only witnessed that murder, but the aftermath of Sweeney killing Julie Stone as well. The camper had been taped off as a crime scene, and personnel bustled around the area snapping pictures and collecting soil samples for blood analysis.

  Dante glanced at his son again, who was basking in the adoration of his teammates, a huge smile on his face. His heart felt as it might burst from his chest with a mixture of love and pride. Reality came crashing down when he thought of Sweeney still out there, hunting Taylor. Sweeney boasted of his genius IQ…when he learned he’d been bested by a child, he’d be irate. Would he come gunning for Kai? Dante wouldn’t let that happen. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

  #

  Kai was so wired he was practically flying. He was embarrassed he’d bawled like a big baby, but then he saw his dad crying, too so he guessed it was cool. Even his bro Dorian had tears in his eyes. When he pulled Kai away from his dad to hug him, Kai was afraid he’d crack a rib. All of the guys took turns congratulating him. He felt like he’d just hit the winning three pointer with no time left on the clock of the NCAA finals. These men were the toughest of the tough and they thought he’d done a good job. Man, he was stoked!

  “Kai?”

  He spun around to see Grace’s mom standing there, her smile wavering. She burst into tears and reached for him, pulling him tightly to her embrace. Oh crap, he was crying again. The only words he could understand were thank you, over and over and over. She rocked him gently from side to side and he sunk into her embrace. He didn’t remember his mom...he’d been too young when she died. His grandma was awesome and he loved her something fierce. But this felt like a motherly embrace…or what he thought it might feel like. He liked it…a lot.

  She pulled back and framed his face in her hands. Her voice was watery and trembling. “I can never thank you for what you did. You’re my—” Her breath hitched. “You’re my hero. It takes a special person to risk their life for someone else. That you recognized the danger to my child and acted on it, without regard to your safety…” Her face crumpled and she gathered him close again. He looked to his d
ad but he wasn’t getting any help there. Grace was wrapped around him and tears were running down his face, too.

  #

  Dante glanced down at Kai, soaking up his son’s features as he slept. He had so much of Leilani in him, from his tan skin to the long eyelashes fanning his cheeks. He was stretched out in the seat next to him with his head against his shoulder and Midas draped across his body. The dog was protecting him, not letting anyone get to him again. A little smile curled Kai’s lips. He’d fallen asleep as soon as they boarded the plane. It was the first time he’d felt safe in almost a week.

  Across the aisle in facing seats, Grace was passed out on Taylor’s lap, a hank of her chopped off hair clutched in her hand. Apparently Kai discovered the newly shorn locks in the trash and saved it for her. His kid was so thoughtful. Sensitive, too, memorizing jokes to make others laugh when they were sad. Kai didn’t have to worry about repeating any today…everyone was overjoyed with happiness.

  He turned to peer out the window into the dark night. They were finally able to get away after the kids had been questioned for hours, first by the local authorities then the feds when Sawyer’s colleagues showed up. They gathered all of the organizations together and agreed not to leak the information that Grace and Kai had been found. They didn’t want it to get back to Sweeney. They’d announce that they located the trailer where Sweeney had holed up for a few days and discovered the body of his accomplice, Lois Quinlen, but no mention of the kids.

  The investigation was still in the initial stages, but it appeared that Lois stole her ex-step-father’s credit card to finance her part in Sweeney’s folly. Not only had she charged the Airstream to the card, but the car and all of the supplies as well. Morris Milburn was out over a hundred thousand dollars. He would get a chunk back when the camper was sold, but the car was a total loss. Dante felt it was his responsibility to let the older man know. He’d called to fill him in on all that had transpired. Milburn scoffed away the money, all he cared about was that the children had been found safe. Dante appreciated his concern and vowed to find a way to brighten the man’s lonely existence once Sweeney was behind bars again. Or six feet under.

  He swung his gaze back to Taylor. She was watching him, her face glowing with contentment. He’d only known her a short time and he’d never seen her this happy. Mired in grief, she’d still been gorgeous. Now she was absolutely stunning. A smiled teased her lips. “What?”

  He shook his head, not wanting her to see how much she affected him. He could look into those sky blue eyes for the rest of his life. He cleared his throat and brought up the topic he’d been avoiding most of the flight. “Since we don’t have any idea where Sweeney is,” he said softly, “and he doesn’t know the kids are safe, we need to make sure they stay that way. If he finds out Grace escaped, he may try to come after her again.”

  That wiped the pleasure right off her lovely face. Worry tightened her features.

  He spoke quickly to reassure her. “I talked to my parents earlier. They’re going to take Kai for a trip in their RV…keep moving until it’s safe, probably hit up Disney. Their motorhome is huge and sleeps eight comfortably. They’ve offered to take Grace and your parents along as well. Dad’s former military so he knows how to handle a weapon. He’ll keep them safe.”

  She exhaled in obvious relief and ran a hand down her daughter’s back. “I hate to let her go so soon after I just got her back. But the thought of Sweeney coming after her again is more than I can bear.” She shuddered. “Plus, she would love it. My parents would, too.”

  “You should go with them.”

  Her eyes rounded. “It would be pointless to run…he’ll never stop looking for me. I won’t let him intimidate me or drive me from my home.”

  “Just for a few days until we can smoke him out of hiding?”

  “If I suddenly disappeared, he’d go to ground and we’d never find him.” She shook her head decisively. “This has to end. I don’t to want to worry every time Grace is out of my sight. I trust you to keep me safe.”

  Her complete faith in him made his heart lurch. He would give anything to make sure she stayed safe…even his life. “Alright. Why don’t you give your folks a call? I’ll text my dad and let him know to make room for three more.”

  She rummaged around in her purse for her cell. “Are you sure they won’t mind?”

  “They suggested it. I’ll supply them with an untraceable phone so there’s no way Sweeney will be able to track them down. We can rest comfortably knowing they’re safe until we nail the bastard.” Dante fired off a text to his dad to meet them at the landing strip at COBRA Securities Headquarters and make room for Grace and her grandparents. Then he texted Ed, the head of the compound security team, to alert him to their arrival.

  Taylor spoke with her parents who were overjoyed to take a trip with their granddaughter. They were worried about Cassie but Taylor promised she’d keep them updated when she had any news. Dante fired off another text asking his parents to swing by and pick up Taylor’s mom and dad at their house. He then sent another to Ed to let him know Taylor’s parents would be along as well.

  Wyatt’s voice cracked over the intercom, announcing that they would be landing in fifteen minutes. Dante shook Kai’s shoulder to wake him. Taylor did the same to Grace. Kai’s eyes blinked open.

  “Dad?”

  “Right here.”

  Kai whooshed out a breath and hugged him. “I thought it was a dream.”

  He clasped his son tightly. “You’re safe now. You don’t have to worry anymore. But, Kai?” He eased back to look into his eyes. “The man who did this…he’s still out there.”

  Kai sighed, resigned. “I know, Dad.”

  “I will never let him get close to you again.”

  “I’m not worried about myself,” Kai said in true hero form, “but he’s fixated on hurting Grace’s mom and I fear he’ll go after her again.”

  “I won’t let that happen, either.” Here came the hard part. “In order to keep you both safe, I need to send you away for a little while.”

  Kai’s eyes widened in alarm. “No, Dad, I don’t want to leave you.”

  Dante felt tears sting the back of his eyes. His voice was gravelly. “I don’t want you to, either, Kai, but I need to know that you are safe and secure so I can focus on hunting Sweeney down.” He ran a hand over his son’s soft hair. “You are the most important thing in the world to me. When you were gone…” Emotion clogged his throat and he couldn’t finish the sentence. “Grandma and Grandpa drove their RV down. They can’t wait to see you. They want to take you on a road trip.”

  That did the trick. Kai’s eyes lit with excitement. He loved his grandparents and cruising in the motor home. “What about Grace?”

  “She’s coming with you. Her grandparents, too.”

  “Midas?” The dog raised his head as if to say, “Yeah, what about me?”

  Dante grinned. “He’s going, too.” He scratched the dog behind the ears.

  Kai’s brows pinched. “What about you, Dad? You’ll be all alone.”

  “Grace’s mom will be with me.” Kai’s smile was knowing. Dante narrowed his gaze. “I’m watching over her until Sweeney’s caught.” This time his smile clearly conveyed, “Sure, Dad, whatever you say.” The kid was too smart for his own good.

  “It’s not the same as being with you, but I guess it’ll be okay.” Kai hugged him again and he savored the embrace. “Can I call you?”

  “Every single day,” Dante insisted. “Text often. I want to know what you’re doing every hour of the day.”

  Kai pulled back and flopped against the seat. He rolled his eyes with exaggerated exasperation. “Every hour? Jeez, Dad, I’m not a baby.”

  Love engulfed him and he ran a hand over his hair again. “No, you’re definitely not a baby. You are a capable young man and I’m so damn proud of you.”

  “Please don’t make me cry again.” Kai’s voice trembled as he glanced around the cabin at Dante’s t
eammates and the FBI agent. “I earned a reputation as a bad-ass today…I don’t want to erase it blubbering like a girl all the time.”

  Dante chuckled. “You are a bad-ass…and don’t say ass,” he scolded.

  “Bad-butt just doesn’t sound as def,” Kai lamented. Dante gaped at his child. “What? I read. Def sounds more bad-butt than cool.”

  Dante shook his head. Now he understood all the times his parents were exasperated by the outrageous things he said or did. There truly was a generational gap.

  The wheels touched down and they waited until Wyatt taxied to the hangar before unbuckling to stand. He met Taylor’s gaze. “Okay?”

  She smiled fondly at her child, who was hopping up and down. “I had her at Disney.”

  “Kai, Kai, we’re going to see Ariel and Belle and Cinderella and the princess castle.”

  Kai looked horrified. Dante grinned as he urged him down the aisle. The RV was idling next to the building as they disembarked. His parents were quivering with excitement at the bottom of the stairs. Kai leaped off the third step into his dad’s outstretched arms. His mom threw her arms around them both. Midas nosed his way into the embrace. Taylor’s parents were waving wildly, tears pouring down her mom’s face. Grace squealed and ran to them. Her grandfather scooped her up as her grandma fawned all over her. Dante hugged his parents, then he shook hands with Taylor’s folks. Bending down, he held his arms out for his son, who came rushing forward. He held him tight, not wanting to let go. He didn’t care that he had tears in his eyes again. “Call me every day,” he told his son.

  Kai nodded, trying to be brave. “I will.”

  “Enjoy your trip.”

  Taylor said goodbye to her daughter and then they waved as the RV motored away.

  “How can I be so incredibly happy and so miserably sad at the same time?” Taylor choked out.