Page 140 of Crimson Tears

Now that I know, I fear I may need to increase security around the latest campsite. In fact, I may have to keep the children there for longer this time and fortify the grounds.

When I watch Cillian Kelly pick up my sweet girl and take her to a car, I clench my fists. He was meant to be dead; I was assured of it.

“Do we know where she’s located?” I ask one of my men, standing and grabbing my double holster from the back of my chair to strap over my chest.

“No sir, but we believe we can set a trap for her should she show up too close to the campsites.”

I nod in confirmation, placing my guns inside the leather straps and fastening them to my broad shoulders.

“Let’s make it happen then. Double the men on security. Twenty should be sufficient.”

She won’t evade me again.

Chapter 40

Another month passes as we wait. Evie and I decided to stay in Norway, keeping our ear to the ground until we find something that could link us to the children. We have a team monitoring truckers’ radios for suspicious chatter and a few people have been sent to stake out their usual meeting spots.

We suspect that whoever is running the operation has gone underground, which means we have no idea what they did with the kids. Part of me worries we’ll find them all dead in a ditch somewhere, but Boris assures me there’s no way that will happen.

As a businessman, he explained that the amount of money invested will ensure they stay alive, at least enough of them to keep the operation profitable. That information brings a whole new set of anxieties to the table, but I have been trying not to think about that.

Damien calls us over to the house, and Azazel greets us at the door. He has gotten so big since we arrived, and the training Damien’s done with him to work in the field has actually been quite impressive.

“Hey, Az,” I greet him, getting onto my knees and making sure to show him one of the treats I always bring.I have to be the favorite aunt after all.

Damien nods, granting him permission to say hello and take the snack. The puppy props his paws on my shoulders, making me nearly tumble over. He goes to lick my face instantly, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Yeah you laugh when he does it, but when I do it, you say it’s gross,” Cillian complains.

Boris slaps him on the back of the head for me as Damien chuckles.

“I get it, dude,” Damien says, patting Cillian on the shoulder. “Evie’s the same way.”

They shake their heads as if they’re actually disappointed in us for not liking our faces being licked. Evie spares me from more of their behavior, joining us a minute later with a pissed off expression written all over her face.

Worry instantly overtakes me, and I stand. “What’s wrong?”

She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Damien here decided to book us a spa day in order to force us to relax.”

My eyes dart from her to him. It’s hilarious to me that I can tell how she’s equal parts pissed and happy about this. Evie hates being told what to do, but there’s something she hates even more than that.

“Did he surprise you with it?” I ask and she nods, making me laugh.

“He didn’t even let me pick which massage I wanted.”

Damien grabs her by the neck and pulls her to him until their foreheads are touching.

“Are you telling me you didn’t want the Thai massage with lavender oil and a eucalyptus scrub, Little Shadow?”

She eyes him as he grins down at her. Eventually, she just mumbles, “Still would have been nice to let me decide.”

Damien laughs, and kisses her fiercely enough that the wrinkle between her brows soften. She moans into his mouth, and I instantly want the scene before me to stop. I already feel a little nauseous.

“Well, I for one, am down for a day to relax. I’ve been feeling like shit this past week.”

Evie sighs and pulls back to kiss Damien on the cheek. He preens and smacks her ass.

“You two go.”

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