Page 63 of First Touch

“I will. Be safe, please,” I beg, not having the heart to tell him that I wish he would stay. It isn’t his choice. Duty calls.

“I’ll try.” He waits as I reluctantly move my head off his shoulder before standing to leave.

I don’t want him to go. I want him here where it’s safe. He’s halfway down the sidewalk when he turns back towards me like he could read my mind.

“I’ll come back. I promise.” It’s not enough to let me not worry, but it’s nice to hear regardless.

Chapter Thirty-One

Jesse

Ispent all night looking for Curtis after convincing Malec to let me bring him in on my own. After our heart-to-heart earlier, he was willing to work beside me while I worked to take down Jameson’s operation.

He admitted that the county doesn’t have the manpower to deal with something like this on their own yet, he plans to expand their resources now that he’s in office but it will take time.

I tried all of the spots I could think of, even tracking down Curtis’ last known address, but no luck. He was the last person Dennis was seen with and as of now, the only suspect. There are no other witnesses and no cameras aimed at that part of the parking lot.

My gut tells me that Jameson and his crew are involved somehow, I just don’t know why Dennis got caught in the crosshairs.

Before dawn arrives, I head to the farm hoping to get an idea of who might be involved. Since Jameson’s paranoia started earlier this week, there’s usually someone patrolling the entrance so I park down the road, hiding my truck in a pull-out that’s hidden by brush.

After helping install the security measures, I know where the holes are and sneak my way onto the property. It’s quiet in the early morning hours, forcing me to move slowly and silently through the thick trees that surround the outer perimeter. I approach the back side of one of the barns and hear music playing from inside.

Peering through a small gap in the wooden slats, I can see four men inside standing around a table with various types of metal debris. They’re filing down the pieces, most likely sharpening the edges to be used as shrapnel. Still no sign of Curtis. Where the hell could he be?

I watch them for a few minutes, making sure there aren’t any other surprises, before making my way toward the house. Sitting at his kitchen table wearing only a pair of boxers, is Jameson.

He peels back his eye patch and scratches his perfectly healthy eye before standing and grabbing a beer from the fridge. Mitch walks into the kitchen from the living room so I stay out of sight, listening to their conversation.

“Still no sign, boss.”

“I want him found and brought to me. I want to know what he told that old man.” Jameson grunts, the chair creaking as he sits back down. “Someone needs to check the hospital. Find out if the bastard made it through the night. If he did, finish the job this time.”

“Yes, sir.”

I knew Curtis didn’t do it. He is a lost kid, he’s made bad choices, but my gut told me he wasn’t the real culprit. Now I know that Jameson is willing to kill for his agenda.

I call Malec once I’m back in my truck. “Curtis didn’t do it. Jameson thinks Dennis found out about their group and they beat him to keep him quiet,” I explain, blowing out a long breath.

“They got their wish. He’s in a coma. It’s not likely that he’ll wake up,” Malec tells me. My gut churns thinking of the poor man who selflessly leads a group of veterans twice a week. A man who just wanted to help people.

“Any way you can keep security outside his room just in case? They might be stupid enough to finish the job.”

“I’ll ask the hospital what they can provide. There’s no way I can keep one of my guys there. I don’t have anyone to spare,” he admits. I thanked him after he agreed to keep me updated.

The sun is rising when I pull up to Thea’s and I hate that I’ve been gone all night. The hour that I might get with her before she leaves for work is not enough when I’m happy to spend every waking minute with her.

When I enter a silent house, my heart picks up speed. She should be getting ready for her run. I left her here alone last night even after what happened at the library. Was that a mistake?

What if someone followed us here? What if I blew my cover and didn’t realize it? Avoiding the spots that usually creak under my weight, I ascend the stairs with stealth.

My heart is pounding in my chest now, my blood rushing anxiously. I’ll never be able to live with myself if I get her hurt. I hold my breath as I reach for her door. Please be okay, Sunshine.

All my breath rushes out, leaving me lightheaded when I see her curled up in bed. Thank God.

I don’t hesitate, stripping down and climbing in next to her. The tension in my spine unwinds in an instant, and my heartbeat returns to normal.

The heaviness of what’s happening all around me starts to fall away when I focus on her deep, slow breathing, and let sleep pull me under.

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