Page 127 of The Long Game

“Brock David,” Grady said woodenly. “Father.”

Jack’s grip tightened, then he let go.

Brock David stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Grady. “You don’t get to call him that.”

Grady tried to square the man before him with the big brother he’d idolized and came up blank. All he could see was the ugly anger stamped on both his brother’s and father’s faces.

“Where’s Hannah?” his father barked, his voice hoarse like he’d been yelling the entire fourteen years since Grady had last seen him.

“We don’t know where she is,” Grady replied calmly, wondering if that was all they cared about. And, if so, would his answer be enough to make them leave.

He glanced over his shoulder and saw both boys still hidden and protected by people he trusted, friends who would look out for them as if they were their own. In the face of the people who had disposed of him like so much garbage, that knowledge filled his chest with warmth and gratitude.

He turned back to his father and noted Rupert slipping down the hallway with his phone pressed to his ear. He wondered if he was calling the police. That could get awkward fast, since he was pretty sure all four intruders were RCMP, too.

He recognized his Uncle Donovan Jacob, who must have come straight from Toronto searching for Hannah. The fourth was trickier, but recalling how Colton had panicked when he’d first seen Grady, the guy who could pass as his slightly shorter doppelganger was probably Colton’s brother, Jackson Abraham.

Grady sighed.What a hot fucking mess.

“I’ve been in contact with the lead investigator in Toronto,” Grady said. “If we hear anything, I will let them know.”

Brock David sneered. “Funny, since there’s a report she was spotted in Montreal with a known criminal associate of your friend there.” He gestured at Jack.

Jack barely breathed the words, “Oh shit.” His expression, however, didn’t change. Jack wouldn’t give the assholes any reaction.

Grady was curious about thisknown criminal associate, but far more alarming was that his family knew who Jack was, let alone who his supposed criminal associates were. “Is Hannah okay? Do they know if she’s headed this way?”

Brock David’s eyebrows went up. “I tell you a vulnerable girl is with some scumball and that’s what you ask?”

“My only concern is for Hannah’s safety. I have no idea who you’re talking about, but if it’ssomeone Jack knows and who he asked to keep an eye out for Hannah, then I’m not worried. In fact, I’mrelieved.”

Brock David looked genuinely bewildered. “Do you even care what you’ve done?”

“We haven’t done anything. I haven’t seen Hannah since she was a toddler.”

“She wouldn’t have run if it weren’t for you.”

Did his brother really believe that? Grady was sure there was more going on than they were being told, but regardless, it seemed like such a naïve thing to say. “I’m not going to apologize for being a safe place for any family you don’t consider worthy. And you know it’s rarely so simple, brother. You’ve been a cop long enough to know people do things for all kinds of unexpected reasons.”

“You don’thavea brother,” Brock David said furiously.

Suddenly, Travis was at Grady’s shoulder.

He looked Brock David right in the eye.

“Yes, he does.”

Grady barely had time to blink at Travis in surprise before Colton shoved between them. “Two brothers.”

Then Sam was there, too, pale but defiant as he glared at their father. “Three.”

Their father’s eyes bulged. “What are you doing here, girl?”

Everyone flinched. Jack’s mother passed the baby to Garrick, then used his arm to haul herself to her feet. She glared at Grady’s father like she was sizing him up for facial reconstruction via arm cast.

“His name isSam,” Jack growled. “If you can’t offer even the most basic courtesy, then get out.”

“Who the fuck are you to tell me to leave my own son’s home?”

---