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He fixed his tie with a sigh and continued. “No one can find information on this Dan from LA other than the past few years. You get confirmation from Nicole herself that she’s working with Blackstone to get the baby across the border, and then suddenly the Ruiz cousins kill one of the Blackstone soldiers? Tell me you can see this for what it is, Bruno.” I imagined ramming my cane through his pretentious face. “Your girlfriend failed to mention the truth to you too. That she brought in a member of Blackstone right under your nose and played you for a fool.”
“Get the fuck out!” I screamed. He shrugged and slowly rose from his seat with a head shake and left.
I tossed the tablet on the table and let it all sink in.
“Armondo, get the car.” I pushed to my feet and grabbed my cane. “We’re heading to the United States.”
SIX
PAUL
Nicole stayed in her room for most of the next day, only coming out to see if Chase was up, which he wasn’t, and to have a quick bite. I missed her because I was in a meeting with Blackstone.
The following day, Savi said she needed more sleep. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was avoiding the house. We needed to do damage control, as much as I wanted to believe Nicole didn’t try to sell my son’s story to advance her career, the fact that she was holding on to secrets bothered all of us. We were a house built on trust and love. It seemed we had another version of what I assumed Lexi was like here, and it didn’t sit well with anyone.
I rubbed my bottom lip as I stood on the porch and watched the dogs chase each around the property. A big stick hung from Wellington’s mouth. The pup was our newest addition, a huge golden retriever Mark had fallen in love with after Butters passed. I thought of that old dog and had to shake my head and smile. How he’d lived for as long as he had was amazing.
Wellington’s antics made me laugh out loud as he dropped his stick and barked at Captain. He’d been found on the side of a road somewhere and had been taken to the local shelter by a tourist. No one ever came for him, and when Mark got wind of it, the rest was history.
I missed Tripper the most. He was such a sweet boy. I only had the pleasure of knowing him for two months before he got sick and passed. John was heartbroken, but I thought Sloane took it the hardest. She was near tears half the time. One day I heard a border collie had a litter in town, and I took a chance and brought one home for her. Captain was nothing like old Tripper, but he was a sweet little guy with crazy energy, and Sloane loved him immediately. He and Wellington were best friends in no time.
Chase’s scream snapped me out of my thoughts, and I rushed for the door and up the stairs.
“Sorry, Paul,” Savannah’s face was sweaty as she knelt by Chase’s bed, “he woke up, and still has a fever. I gave him his medicine. It wasn’t easy, and now I can’t get him to stop crying.”
“It’s okay. It’s just that he’s seen so many strange people lately.” I gathered him in my arms and felt how small he was. He took one look at me and screamed louder. Savannah reached up and rubbed his back as I pressed him against my chest. “I can get Mia to come and help. I just need a minute.”
“It’s fine, I’ve got him. I didn’t even know he was awake.” I hadn’t seen him since we got back, and I missed the little crier.
She gave me a sympathetic look. “Poor guy. He’ll come around. He just needs time and patience.”
“I know.” I smiled at her. “Thanks Savi. I know it’s an adjustment for all of us.”
“A great adjustment,” she nodded, “especially for you. He’ll soon learn to trust us.”
After she left, I tried to bounce him in my arms as I walked around the room. “It’s okay, big guy. Look at the puppy dogs, el perrito. Can you see?” I said the word in Spanish and English as I held him so he could see out the window, but his bottom lip poked out and he hiccupped as he caught a breath.
“Mama,” he said in the most heartbreaking voice. It nearly brought me to my knees. Christ, I fought back the tears that threatened to show just how much that one word could break me. I knew he loved his mother, Talya, but I also knew he was referring to Nicole.
“Fuck,” I muttered and walked to Nicole’s door. I’d do anything for my son, and if that meant taking him to her, I’d do it.
I knocked, and Chase, who was still very upset, copied me and did the same action with his fist. I smiled at him and knocked again, and this time he tried with me.
“Look at you.” I beamed with pride and patted his shoulder gently.
“Mama,” he whimpered again, and I saw more tears start to form. Screw it. I opened the door and poked my head in. Nicole looked to be asleep in bed, so I stepped inside and closed the door behind us. When Chase caught sight of her, he wiggled like a wet noodle, and I quickly put him down on the bed next to her in fear I might drop him.
“Mama!” he cried, and her eyes popped open. She reached out and pulled him into her arms with a deep intake of breath and kissed his head.
“Hey, buddy, I’ve missed you.” She smiled down at him. “Oh, my, are you upset?” The little guy let out a loud sob, and she pressed him to her. She glanced up at me standing there and then pulled the blanket up over her thin top. We both knew I could see she was braless under it. It was hard not to see how pretty she was with her messy hair and sleepy eyes.
“He was crying and wanted you. It’s the first time I’ve seen him up.” I cleared my throat and felt uncomfortable. “Sorry to wake you.”
She hooked the blanket and moved up to sit against the headboard with Chase in her arms. “He’s still very warm. Did he get his antibiotics?” Chase pressed his head under her chin and settled in, so she tucked the blanket over him as well.
“Savannah was with him when I went in. She managed to get it in him, but then he wouldn’t settle.”
“It’s fine.” She looked at the clock on the nightstand. “I don’t remember the last time I slept in like this, let alone two days in a row.”
