Page 63 of Pick Yourself Up
Double shit. Disciplined by a crime family could mean anything from financial losses to losing a finger to being killed.
“He’s not dead?”
“No, but they beat the shit out of him. Not that he’s called the cops. But I’ve been keeping an ear out like you asked. There’d been nothing until he was released yesterday, then this news today.”
Gray didn’t waste time asking if Norm was sure of the rumors or how he’d gotten the information. His boss had dozens of sources, and his information was always good. “Has he been tossed out of the family? Is he looking for her?”
Norm hummed through the phone. “I hear he’s still working for the Lauzons, but he wants to fix the problem.”
Triple shit. “Which means he’s looking for her.”
“Or you. Or both.”
Gray should have expected that. Let Allard come for him. He’d be prepared. The man had better leave Amber the hell alone.
He thanked his friend, knowing he’d let him know of any further updates he heard.
Gray stared at the land, working to control the rage and fear. He couldn’t talk to Amber until he was under control. She’d have to know, but he needed to figure out the best way to tell her.
There was no real reason for Allard to track her down. Why was he even out of jail? He was supposed to be inside until the trial. Even if neither Gray nor Amber testified at the trial, there was overwhelming evidence from the security cameras. Everything had been done by the book, and there was zero chance of Allard being found not guilty by either judge or jury. Eliminating Amber and Gray wouldn’t help his cause at all.
Tracking them down to beat the shit out of them or kill them wouldn’t be smart. But that didn’t mean Allard wouldn’t do it. Would that earn him back some respect from the Lauzons? Or would they be pissed at him for stirring shit up again?
The family wouldn’t want murder charges added to Allard’s file. Attention was never something these crime families craved. They preferred to stay off the radar.
Checking the time, he realized the dinner bell would ring soon. It was Dodge’s turn to cook tonight.
As Gray was deciding how best to tell Amber and the rest, he spotted her and Boomer heading his way.
He crossed the garden to them and watched Amber’s smile dim. He was pretty sure his face hadn’t given much away, but she’d sensed it, anyway.
When he was close enough to hear her, her words confirmed it. “Are you okay? Anything I can do to help?”
No wonder he loved her.
He wrapped her in his arms. “Got some potentially bad news I need to tell you. Need to share with the others too.”
Her small arms squeezed him hard, and her body shuddered. After a few beats, she spoke, resignation obvious in her voice. “It’s about Chicago. Okay, let’s go to the farmhouse, so you only have to tell it once.”
But she didn’t move or press him for more information. Held him tight and waited for him to take the next step.
He leaned down and kissed her gently. “No one’s going to hurt you.”
She nodded, eyes serious. “Or you.”
When he let her go, he realized Boomer had caught on to their feelings. Ears and body alert, he stood with his back to them, scanning the surrounding area for threats. “Good boy, Boomer. Let’s go for dinner.”
Once they were in the kitchen, it didn’t take long for the others to pick up on the tension. As soon as they’d dished out the casserole Ford had made, Knox spoke. “Spill. What’s wrong?”
He didn’t waste time or make them wait. The men’s eyes were hard and steady. They’d been trained to expect the worst, and they were always ready for anything. The women hadn’t been through the training, but they waited stoically. Amber took his hand.
“My former boss from the bodyguard agency called me. The man who led the attack on The Sidderlight and Amber is out of jail. There are rumors the Lauzon family beat the shit out of him for failing in his mission to get through to my client that day. Further rumors say he might be looking for revenge.”
Amber shuddered and closed her eyes. “Revenge on you.”
He tucked her under her arm. “Or both of us.” Amber had been the one to derail their mission, so it was likely Allard was more pissed at her, but Gray didn’t say that aloud.
Annie and Dodge both put their arms around their women and pulled them closer. Annie’s eyes were dark and flat. “You think that bastard might try to find you? Might look for you here?”
