Page 17 of Back In the Shadows

“I wasn’t planning on doing this by the books.” I waited for Ryan’s reaction to my words, but he just tilted his chin at me. “Can I trust you to help, or do we need to end the conversation now before it puts you in a bad situation?” My accent grew thicker with the stress of my question.

“I’m on your side. Right now, I’m not a cop, so don’t sweat it. There are bigger issues at hand that need to be addressed. Plus, I didn’t figure you’d deal with this legally. I sure as hell wouldn’t if someone took Cami.” His attention landed on her briefly and then it returned to me.

“Can I check on the kids?” Cami asked, her words weaved with worry and fear.

“Yeah. I have the nanny cam in there to keep an eye on them. I’ve also adjusted the cameras to see the windows more clearly. Between the group of us, I feel a bit better about their safety.”

I closed the front door behind my friends, feeling a tinge of relief that they were here and that Ryan had pledged his help and trust. Hopefully he would still honor his word even after I explained about the society.

Ryan pulled Cami to him and placed a kiss on her mouth. “Hang in there, babe. We’re going to get her back. I love you.”

She grabbed the front of his shirt and nodded. “I know you guys will do everything necessary. Thank you for being here with me … with us.” She pushed up on her toes and kissed him again. “Love you too.”

Cami made her way upstairs and Ryan greeted Dope and Kip. “I’ll make a pot of coffee for anyone that needs it. I don’t figure I’ll be getting any sleep, but the caffeine will help me keep a clear head.”I hope.I disappeared into the kitchen and made the coffee, the scent of the fresh beans brewing keeping me in the moment. I gathered cups, milk, and creamer and set them on the cream granite counter. My mind raced with thoughts of Ella. Was she hurt or even alive? I couldn’t think like that. Ella was strong and smart, and I had to trust that she could handle whatever she was going through with the assurance that I would be coming after the motherfucker who took her.

Entering the living room, I placed the tray on the coffee table. “Anyone hungry?”

“Always,” Dope said.

“I should have known better than to ask.” Dope’s pot habit gave him the munchies on a regular basis. As much as he ate, he was still a skinny motherfucker.

I disappeared again and then returned with chips, beef jerky, nuts, and the carafe full of coffee. Once I had the snacks available, I placed my hands on my hips and glanced at my friends.

“Ryan, I don’t expect you to keep this information from Cami. She should know as well in case there’s more danger. Iwant you and her to make an informed decision about what you’re getting involved in.”

“About what?” Cami asked as she descended the stairs from the kids’ room and sat next to her fiancé.

Kip laced his fingers behind his head but remained quiet.

“The Society.”

I waited for a reaction from Cami, but she didn’t give one. “Ella hasn’t told you?”

Cami snorted. “Ella worked on criminal cases with attorneys. She’s tight-lipped even with me.”

That news made me love my wife even more. I knew she was capable of secrets, but Cami was her best friend, and sometimes that line blurred. Apparently, it didn’t with Ella.

“Several years ago, I created and started the Horizon Society. We”—I tilted my head in Kip and Dope’s direction—“help women and children escape dangerous situations and set them up with fake names and a new life. What we do is illegal, and we break a lot of rules when we transport the families over state lines if there’s a divorce and custody decree, not to mention creating new identities and social security cards, but we justify it to keep people safe.” There was no use in sugarcoating what we did.

Cami’s mouth opened and closed a few times before she was able to form words. “You’re criminals?”

“Yeah, but I won’t apologize for it. Dope is a hacker and an expert on the dark web. He’s already been searching for Ella while you guys were flying over. But, if we’re going to find her, you need to know what you’re stepping into. You’ll be guilty by association. If you’re not okay with that, you’re free to leave, but I ask that you not give us up. Women and children are depending on you to keep them safe, and so is your best friend.”

Ryan rubbed his hands together, grinning. “I fucking love it, man. I’m in. Too bad I can’t be a part of the Society, but withbeing a cop I don’t want to jeopardize my career. I won’t be of any help to anyone if that happens.”

Dope snorted, and I shot him an inquisitive look. “Mate?”

“Sorry, I got a chip stuck in my throat.”

Apparently, something that Ryan said was funny. I wasn’t sure why Dope was flat-out lying to me, but I would deal with him later.

“Ella knew about all of this?” Cami asked.

“Yeah, she actually helped us when she could. Once the twins were born, she worked more with Dope to help find the families than being on the front lines. I’ve also taken a step back to keep my wife and kids safe. Guess that didn’t work out like planned.”

Cami’s forehead creased. “Oh, you think you guys pissed off the wrong person and he took Ella?”

“Yup,” Kip chimed in. “Even though we go to great lengths to hide our identities, if a wife got in touch with her husband or boyfriend, then it could have blown everything to shit. My guess is that something like that happened, and now a pissed-off husband is coming after us through Ella.”

---