Page 23 of Shielding Soledad

Soledad was on her feet, picking up on my tension. She leaned closer to see the image on my phone. “Were you expecting something?”

“No.”

“I haven’t ordered anything,” she volunteered. “It could be another baby gift?”

I knew it wasn’t. “Inside,” I commanded, yanking open the back door. “Stay here near the door, and be ready to dial 9-1-1.”

“Alex, what…” she began, but I cut her a look that stopped her question and had her gripping Luke tighter to her.

I took her under the arm, guiding her quickly into the house. “Phone?” I waited until it was in her hand.

“Be careful,” she whispered.

“Always,” I responded before heading to the front of the house. From my phone’s screen, I knew the package was three feet out from the door, but I wanted a direct view. I swung the door wide, revealing a package the size of a shoebox. It was wrapped in brown paper and was addressed with a red marker in bold strokes. No postmark or package label. No obvious ticking, no wires attached to it. Those were good signs, but caution ruled my world.

My head told me that Bruce was just screwing with me, playing psychological games rather than actually attacking, but I couldn’t take that chance with my family in the house. I had to get them to safety before dealing with the package. Closing and locking the door, I rapidly considered the best course of action. Get Soledad and Luke out, and call my family.

I called to Soledad to meet me upstairs before taking the steps two at a time. First I went into Luke’s room, where I stuffed diapers and extra clothes in a bag. When I returned to the hall, Soledad’s dark eyes were wide.

“Alex, what is going on?” She looked at the packed diaper bag. “Are we going somewhere?”

“I’ll explain it all to you later, but for now, I need you out of the house. Grab a few things—you might need to stay overnight—but be quick.” I took the baby, and in under two minutes we were on the move again. In the garage, I lifted Frankie onto the back seat and strapped Luke into his infant carrier.

“You’re not coming?” she asked as she climbed in and I handed her the truck keys.

I shook my head. “Go to Colin’s house, and stay there until I come for you. Don’t stop for anything. Don’t go outside once you’re there.” Colin lived just a few minutes away. I mentally followed the route she would take. There were only three stops, three places where she’d be truly vulnerable.

“What the hell, Alex?” she muttered but started the truck. I opened the garage door, doing a visual sweep of the driveway and street before motioning her to move.

I watched as she drove out of sight, feeling greater fear than I ever had on even my most dangerous missions. I needed to gain control over the situation. My battle instincts told me that the only way to slay fear was to master it and be ready for anything. I’d already let this game with Bruce go on for too long.

First things first, though. I dialed Zach.

“Hey.” My brother answered on the first ring.

“I need your help.” I quickly explained about the package and asked my brother to call the in the nearest bomb squad. Springwell’s police department didn’t have one of its own, of course, but maybe they could call one in from somewhere nearby. Or maybe Zach’s security company had some experts on staff—they had the reputation for hiring a lot of ex-military. My brother had the connections to cut through the rigmarole and get to the right people quickly. He also promised to call Chance.

When I hung up with Zach, I called Colin. “Are you home?”

“Yeah. It’s Saturday.” Colin sounded relaxed. I was sorry to ruin that, but I needed my brothers’ help.

“Good. Soledad and Luke are on their way to your house. I need you to keep them safe.”

“Bruce?” Colin’s tone altered, becoming serious and efficient.

“Yeah, he left me a gift. Not the kind that anyone wants, I’m sure.” I heard the beep as Colin’s alarm system disarmed, followed by a door opening. I knew my brother was walking out of the house to wait for Soledad to arrive.

“They just turned onto my street,” Colin said after a ten-second silence. “I’ve got them.”

“Thanks. I owe you.”

“Doesn’t work that way, bro. I’ll be over as soon as they’re settled in the house.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as I disconnected. Now I could do nothing but wait.

11

ALEX

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