Page 73 of Deserving Maddie

"And you also need to come home, too. Mom would want that."

A powerful pang shot straight to his heart. Ray reached out and grabbed Gabe by the back of his neck, and pulled him into a sideways hug. Charley was still clinging to him, so in the middle of the situation room, Ray held on to the two most important people in Maddie's life. They were now his family as well. He would do anything for them.

"Did you want to stay in here with Ray, or hang out in one of the offices?" Kyle asked. "Most of the little kids who aren't in school are here today."

"I want to stay with Ray."

He wasn't surprised that was Gabe's choice. The boy was fast becoming a man, whether Maddie wanted him to or not.

"I'll go with you," Charley answered.

He squeezed Charley again and kissed the top of her head before she stepped out of his arms to join Kyle as they exited the room. It would be good for her to hang out with the younger kids. It would keep her occupied and give Shantae some help.

"Does my aunt Kat know?"

"Yes, she texted me before you arrived, as she was boarding a plane. I'll send someone to pick her up once she lands."

That appeared to please Gabe. For the first time since entering the room, the teenager looked around. Most of the men and women sitting around the table were unfamiliar, so he took a few moments to make introductions. Ray watched as Gabe physically relaxed with each new person he met.

Ray was finishing up when his phone rang from an unknown number. He signaled for Gabe to keep quiet, then pressed the accept button and put the call on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Well, hello, Ray. I believe I have something you want."

His head whipped over to Panther. They both knew that voice.

"Mr. Adams." Ray clenched his jaw. "Where's Maddie?"

He'd completely forgotten about Shantae's father after he leaked the information about how the dear senator actually got his position.

"It should beSenatorAdams, but you stole that from me," the man snapped.

Ray needed to remember this wasn't the time to be pissing off the man who held Maddie. She needed him at his best, and right now he wasn't. It was imperative he did better. He looked over to see Gabe's reaction. The kid was scowling at the phone with his fist on the table. But what Ray didn't see was any hostility directed at him. He fully expected the rage and would gladly accept it. This was his fault.

"Where's Maddie?" he asked again.

A notepad was pushed in front of him.Keep him talking.

Ray looked over to see that Arlo was typing feverously on his laptop. The Charlie Team leader was trying to trace the call.

Good. I'm glad someone has their head on right enough to do the job that would normally be mine.

"I'm not going to tell you. Not until I get what I want."

"And what's that?"

He would give up anything to have Maddie back safe. Her kids needed her. Seeing the two of them walk in with terror in their eyes for their mother, he knew right then he would do whatever it took.

"I want your life ruined the same way you ruined mine."

Dread coursed through his veins.

"Fine. Your issues are with me anyway. Let Maddie go and you can do whatever it is you feel necessary to me."

Ray could practically feel the anger pouring off his boss. He knew without turning his head that his boss's eyes were in slits and staring him down. The last thing he should be doing is giving in to demands, but he wasn't about to be proven a liar. He would do whatever it took to get Maddie back.

"I don't plan to make it that easy for you, Mr. Thomas, but I think that's enough talking for now. I'll give you some time to ponder all that I'm doing to your dear Maddie, and what will happen to her if you don't do as I ask when I call back. I hear there is a great club in the area looking to get their hands on such a pretty woman."

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