Page 29 of Fire

I close my eyes and cradle the little boy close. He has a piece of my heart as big as the one his mother seems to have taken without even trying. Hell, she probably doesn’t even want me at this point. Somehow, though, I will win her over. As he lays back down against his pillows, I can’t stop myself from ruffling his hair.

“Will you lay here with me Ford, just until I fall asleep? I’m not a little kid. I just …,” he sighs, moving his fingers through the cover and avoiding looking at me. “I miss my mom.”

“Actually, I was going to ask if you would let me stay with you for a few minutes for that very reason. I miss her, too,” I tell him.

I tuck him in and lay beside him on the bed, thankful the room has a double bed. Asher curls into me and I hold him, sliding my hand back and forth on his back, trying to reassure him. I actually expected it to take hours before he let sleep claimhim, but I can tell within thirty minutes or so that his breathing has evened out.

I slowly extricate myself from the bed, kiss Asher’s temple. I put a pillow to his back, hoping he will think I’m still there with him. I carefully step outside the room, closing the door as quietly as I can.

When I got Asher, I moved us into the hotel that the Saints own. There’s more security here, and it just seemed a better choice. I don’t think Grace would approve of her son living in the Saints Outlaws clubhouse. I have people watching her house, too, and although no one has come around, I don’t think it’s smart to bring Asher back there. I need to shield and protect him. I can’t risk Grace’s ex getting his hands on the boy. So, I talked to Hangman and rented out a three-bedroom suite here. It has worked out well. Lyla and Thomas are in the master bedroom with baby Tasmin. I actually have the smallest of the bedrooms, but that’s fine. I don’t need much. I just want to find Grace. I don’t think I will be able to truly sleep until that happens. I make it across the hall to my room and fall down on the bed. I throw my hands over my eyes and try to get control of the worries that are plaguing me. I can’t handle letting anxiety take over. I will find Grace. I just need to remain diligent. I close my eyes and immediately Grace’s beautiful face comes to mind. I let it soothe me and I’m close to sleep myself when my cell rings. I pull it out of my pocket, reading the caller ID.Ivan.I answer it at once, praying that he has good news.

“This is Ford.”

“It’s Ivan. I’m sorry it’s taken a bit. I had my people scour through the footage for information that might help you.”

I scrub the side of my face as I wait for him. He responds at once.

“We’ve uncovered that Benny hasn’t reached out directly to the Korslova duo. Still, my guys have done their research.There’s a safe house in Middle Creek, close to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It’s listed in some of the properties under Dimitri and Dominic’s name. That’s likely where Martelli is holed up. I’m texting you the address now.”

“Thanks, Ivan. If I can help in any way?—”

“I accept your marker. I wish you luck on getting your woman back. Word on the street is that Martelli is the lowest sort of scum.”

“He’ll be dead scum when I find him. Thanks again.”

“Anytime. I don’t have many hard limits, but hurting an innocent woman is one.”

I grunt in reply, but Ivan has already hung up. I immediately spring out of the bed and almost jog to the bedroom that Lyla and T are using. I knock, briefly worried that I might wake my granddaughter up. Still, I’m not waiting another minute. I need to get to Grace. I’m already sick to my stomach thinking about her being alone and unprotected against that asshole.

T comes to the door after a minute or so. I don’t even give him time to speak. “We need to load up,” I tell him, turning away as I take out my phone to call Grunt.

“What’s going on?”

“Ivan Levkin gave me a lead on Grace. The Korslovas have a safe house just outside of Pigeon Forge. There’s a very good chance Grace is there.”

“I’ll get dressed and make sure Lyla keeps an eye on Asher,” he says.

“I’m going to call hotel security and beef it up, making sure no one gets in this room while we’re gone,” I tell him, knowing he’s as worried about my daughter’s safety as I am.

“Asher and I will be fine. You guys just hurry and bring back my new mom,” Lyla says.

I turn around to look at her, smiling while shaking my head. “I love you, Butterfly.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

“W-What about me?” T asks. He doesn’t really show his stutter much at all anymore. It’s just here and there. It makes me proud of him.

“You already know how much I love you,” she whispers. I nod my head as I dial Grunt’s number. I’m glad Lyla and T have worked out all their issues. All I ever wanted for my daughter was for her to find love and be happy. I had my doubts about T—especially considering how the two of them got together. Still, they’ve worked out their issues and one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life is watch the love the two of them share strengthen. That’s one thing I’ve never had—and it’s what I want with Grace.

When Grunt answers my call, I give him the address that Ivan texted and explain what I need from him. He’s going to get men together and meet me about a mile from the house. We need the element of surprise. I can’t let anything screw this up. I’m too worried that this will be our last chance to get her back. I just finish texting the address to Grunt so he has it to use in his navigation app on his phone when T comes out, pulling a clean shirt down over his torso. He leans down and kisses my daughter, telling her he loves her and will update her when he can. Lyla kisses him and then hugs me, while also giving me a reassuring smile. “Make them sorry they messed with our family, Dad.”

“You know it, Butterfly,” I promise, kissing her forehead before T and I head out. I’m not a praying man, but if I was, I’d send one up right now. I need for my woman to be alright. If she’s not, I’m going to unleash hell on the Korslova Brothers. I’ll make them sorry they were ever born.

22

GRACE

I feel so weak that I’m having trouble standing. I know when they give me water, it must have some kind of drug in it. I’ll have to not take it the next couple of days and see if I can build up any strength while I try to figure out a way to get free. As we pull into Joe’s driveway, I silently curse. I was hoping he and Sarah would be at the diner. That would mean Asher would be safe for another day. Joe’s SUV is in the driveway though, and all hope kind of dies.

---