Page 51 of Royal Pain

There was only one person who could help me do that quickly.

Gage.

I found myself pounding on his door while I was in the process of hyperventilating as the news my baby had been abducted finally settled in.

When he opened the door, he was in pajama bottoms, the look of concern on his face horrific. “Evangeline. What’s wrong?”

“I have to get off this island. Now. Can you help me? It must be tonight. I must get back to Connecticut. If I don’t, they’ve won. My baby. It’s crazy. I don’t know why I was stupid enough to leave him with my mother. Too close. Too fucking close. The bastards took him.”

“Whoa. Whoa. Come in. You’re rambling and very upset.” He pulled me inside and I didn’t object. Even as he sat me down on the couch, giving me a comforting rub before heading to the bar, I was so frozen, it was all I could do to keep from sobbing.

He brought me a drink seconds later and I didn’t care what it was. When I grasped the crystal tumbler from his hand, I looked up into his eyes. “Help me.”

“I can only help you if you tell me the truth.” He sat down in the chair only inches away, placing his drink on the coffee table and concentrating on me. “First of all, we don’t fly at night. It’s not safe. But something could be arranged first thing in the morning.”

“But. But…”

He threw up his hand. “The last thing you need to do is to panic. Talk to me calmly. What baby are we talking about? Who did this? Joseph?”

I had a feeling he knew more about my ex-husband than he’d let on. I took a sip of my drink and nodded. “Yes, my little boy. And the tribal council in the community initiated taking him.”

“Tribal council?”

I almost laughed. “It’s a long story. The community where I lived with my husband is different. Okay? I didn’t mention that before because most people can’t believe it. As with any community association, there is a board of directors. They are volunteers that help enforce the rules, collecting dues for care and maintenance of the common areas. But Weathered Heights is… dangerous. The men take their positions far too seriously. They determine who can move in, who can move out and trust me, that doesn’t happen often if ever. Only the best of the bestfrom corporate moguls to politicians, old family money, and maybe a few entertainers are allowed. It’s crazy how controlling they are and have gotten more so over the years.”

“That’s… scary. Who did they take?”

I clasped my face in my hands, tears finally falling. “My son.”

He lifted his head, exhaling and looking away briefly. “Joseph’s?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not judging but I’m surprised you had a child with him. Were things better then when you made that decision?”

I laughed. “Better? No. I finally had decided to escape and while Joseph was at a business meeting, I pulled the car into the garage, packing a few items. I didn’t think anyone had seen me, but they have eyes and ears everywhere. I couldn’t get out of the neighborhood. They had every exit blocked.”

“What the fuck is wrong with these people?” Gage was angrier than I’d ever seen him, his entire face lit up like a firecracker.

“They think they are gods. Plus, they’re bringing up an entire generation of little drones, children eager and willing to fall into their parents’ footsteps. Including my friends. I didn’t know that until just now.”

“What happened then?”

I was embarrassed I’d never reported it or said anything about it. Even mentioning the primal hunt to my mother had her rolling her eyes and telling me I needed to stop allowing my wild imagination to get the best of me. I couldn’t look at him as I’d mentioned what happened.

“I know you’re not going to believe me but everything I’m about to tell you is true. The council members set up a primal hunt. There are areas of woods in the community, one huge one directly in the center of the homes. When I couldn’t get away by car, I knew of a way to get out through the forest. Big mistake. They chased me. They… chased me. They were chanting and I swear they were crazy, acting like barbarians.”

I wasn’t certain whether the quiet meant he didn’t believe me. When I lifted my head, I could gather easily that Gage was plotting revenge. God, I wanted him to hunt them all down, killing every one of them.

“Fucking bastards. It’s unbelievable what the need for control can do.”

“Yeah. Then I was locked in the house and… impregnated, which was what everyone wanted. I couldn’t leave. It took me years to figure out a way. Even then, I have no clue why they let me go.”

“They must have had their reasons. Not good ones. Maybe someone knew something. What’s the baby’s name?”

“Damien. He’s the sweetest, most unaffected four-year-old in the world. He’s my everything. I hesitated leaving him to come here because I never do, but my mother assured me everything would be okay. I was so damn stupid. So stupid. They live in the community on the outskirts. This was the perfect opportunity to take him, which is what Joseph had wanted. His flesh and blood means everything. Clout. Influence. Money. It’s crazy. I should have left the city, but I felt guilty for doing so because of my parents. Besides, my regular sitter for the few times I’d been away at night flaked out. But where is my father in all this? Why doesn’t he seem concerned? I don’t know who to trust any longer.”

“Well, one thing is for certain. You can trust me. Do you need to go back to your room?” he asked and I had a feeling he was hopeful I’d say no.

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