Page 20 of Sugar, Sprinkles, and Secrets
“Cara, tell us everything about this watch,” Liam chimes in.
“It’s a special watch designed for kids that monitors his oxygen rates and heart rate. If anything is off, it sends a signal to my phone.”
“Your phone is connected to his watch?” Sophia asks.
“Yeah, it has an app so I can show the historic data to his doctors if I need to, and it also lets me know when it needs to be charged.”
“Cara, when did you charge it last?” Max asks.
“We charged it before Merry and Bright Night.” Oh! “He’s probably still wearing the watch!” I exclaim.
“Good job, little mama. I’m going to text you a link right now that’s going to give me access to your phone, and that app, okay?” Sophia tells me.
“You can have whatever you need.” I look up to meet Max’s gaze. “I don’t have any more secrets.”
“I’ve seen this model before; it’s one of the best models available for the general public. Give me a minute, guys.” Sophia mutes herself—and it’s only clear because the near-constant tapping of her keys suddenly goes quiet. Before I can start worrying all over again, she comes back on. “I have a location. Assuming little guy is still wearing his watch, he’s just outside of Memphis right now. The GPS historic data says they have been at the same location for the last sixty minutes, but it’s impossible to know how long he will be there.”
“Liam, let’s move this conversation to a direct line,” Ace says.
“Yeah, I agree. Max and Cara, we’re going to put together a plan and either Sophia or I will be calling you back to bring you up to speed. Hang tight, don’t call anyone else, and don’t leave the apartment, okay?”
“Yeah, okay. Thank you, guys. Thank you … so much.” Tears are no longer threatening but are escaping down my cheeks.
“We’ve got you, little mama,” Sophia replies.
“Talk soon,” Liam says before the line goes dead. As the silence of the call ending engulfs the room, I let go and break down right at my dining room table. I barely register Max’s arms coming around me as my body heaves with sobs. I will never ask for another miracle in my life—whatever it takes. They are the greatest gift of my life, and I don’t know what I will do if they don’t come home to me.
Chapter fifteen
The last hour has been illuminating from learning that Dante was born with a heart condition, to Cara being in the damn Witness Protection Program. She didn’t mention it, but now I’m wondering if Cara is even her real name. I don’t know that it matters because that’s who she is to me, but I hope she knows she doesn’t have to keep secrets from me anymore. Now isn’t the time for me to ask my questions though.
As soon as Liam and his team disconnect, Cara crumples into a mess of tears and sobs. I don’t think, I just react on instinct, and I stand to pick her up and carry her to the couch. I sit down with her on my lap and hold her while she cries. She’s had to be so strong for so long, and like a fog lifting from my brain, pieces of the puzzle of us are clicking into place.
“That’s why you pushed me away.” I didn’t necessarily mean to say that out loud, but my mind is filled to the brim.
Cara nods and swipes at her tears. “I couldn’t be another woman that you cared about who lied to you—I refused to be another person that hurt you like that.”
This woman. “Cara, you weren’t lying to me about being involved with the mafia, were you?”
“Well, no, but my brother is kind of affiliated with the mafia.”
“Yeah, as a witness, not quite the same thing. Did you have a secret affair that you kept from me or orchestrate a murder?”
Cara shakes her head softly as she takes a shuttered deep breath. “No, I was just trying to protect those babies and hopefully get my brother back eventually.”
“Just so we’re on the same page, we will be talking about all of that in depth and thoroughly once Dante and Mila are back home with you, but I’m here Cara. I’m with you, okay?” I kiss the top of her head as she snuggles in a little more, whether or not she’s aware of that movement, I absolutely am.
“Why do you have to be so perfect?”
“I’m not perfect, but I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, alright?” She nods and we let the silence settle between us because words won’t change anything right now, and all we can do is wait.
And pray for a miracle.
Chapter sixteen
“Colt’s place is an hour by plane and I’m about the same distance from Atlanta,” Ace replies. He’ll be wheels up in fifteen, and I’m right behind him.
“I can’t make it there in time to help out in person, but Ace, do you have any of those drones leftover from the other week?” Liam asks.
