Page 50 of Big Red

“This doesn’t make sense. Why would Jeffery marry a drug-addicted prostitute, seal her arrest records, and help her fight for custody?” I throw the file down on the coffee table in frustration.

“Maybe he was getting something out of it,” Cara suggests.

“Like what?”

“Cindy.”

I’m off the couch in a flash, pacing the living room. The unexpected movement causes Angel to look up at me briefly before returning her attention to the tablet. I start breaking down everything I’ve just learned, and although it somewhat makes sense, I just don’t want to believe it.

I can’t accept Chloe leaving our children motherless just to return and pull something like this.

“The pieces didn’t click together for me until yesterday at the beach. When I said that man was a pedophile, her ass was not surprised by my statement. The fact she was standing there acting as if this man being around Cindy was no big deal helped me figure out her angle.”

“Where are they staying? I will kill Chloe and his ass before I give them a chance to hurt Cindy.”

“I don’t know, Red. I did before, but they checked out of the hotel this morning.”

“I swear I can’t catch a damn break,” I hiss, pulling my hair.

“I’ll do my best to find them. But you know I put trackers in all the kids' shoes. So even if Chloe and Jeffery try something as stupid as trying to kidnap the kids, they won't make it far. Alice, I need to give you this as well.” She pulls a bracelet from her pocket and hands it to Alice.

“What is this?”

“It’s a tracker bracelet that I make at my tech shop. With Declan disappearing, we also need to ensure you’re protected as much as possible.”

Alice doesn’t question it. She nods her head before putting the bracelet on.

“In the meantime, you two stay alert. Sara, Tech, and I are doing everything we can to find them, but until then, keep your eyes open. I have a feeling things are about to heat up.”

We say our goodbyes to Viper and Cara and leave. Halfway through the walk home, Alice turns to me and wraps her arms around my waist. She rests her chin on my chest, staring into my eyes.

“Everything’s going to be okay.” She rises on her toes, pecking my lips a few times.

All the tension in my body melts away. Alice has the power to calm me like no one else. I never saw this coming. As much as I wanted someone for myself, I didn’t think it would be possible after Chloe. I mean, she gave me two babies, and I still couldn’t fall in love with her. But with Alice, I’m different.

The second she’s gone, I miss her. When I tried staying away from her when she first came here, it was like torturing myself. I found myself sitting on my porch just to see if she would come outside. I would watch the dining hall door during breakfast and dinner, hoping she would come.

I should have known then that this was the real thing.

Wrapping my arms around her, I press my lips to hers, kissing her deeply. When she melts against me, I pull away and cup one of her cheeks.

“I love you, kitten.”

Alice's mouth drops open before she smiles. Her eyes fill with unshed tears. “I love you, too.”

Right there, in the middle of the walkway, we make out like two love-drunk fools.

As much as I want to just bask in the happiness of my growing relationship with Alice, I have to keep my defenses up. I still don't know what Chloe has up her sleeve. And there's also the lingering threat of Declan.

Despite any of that, I won't let anything happen to my family.

Chapter Twenty-One

ALICE

It's finally the weekend, and I’m at home for once. I’ve spent so much time at Red’s that I’ve barely used this room. At this point, the room is collecting dust. As I clean off the dresser, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. Walking over, I pick it up and see a message from Cara.

Cara: Ok, ladies, let's welcome Alice to the SSGC.

---