“Absolutely not. Then she’ll be alone with only Wyatt. These guys are dangerous and they’ll need back up,” Cooper says.
Cooper would know. He has firsthand experience with this crew after Aubrey. And that was just with Jack. Hugh and his crew weren’t after Aubrey. But theyareafter me, and James is after Sophia. The problem is we don’t know who’s behind what or where the hell they are.
“I agree with Coop. We don’t know where they are. We don’t know who they have on their side working with them,” Hunter says.
“Sophia doesn’t want to run anymore. She wants to face this head on and end it with her head held high.” I stop pacing, running my hands through my hair.“I need to get Sophia home.”
Pops puts his hand on my forearm, stopping me from running out. “Please be smart, son. Keep that girl safe, but also keep yourself safe. Let’s not forget that Hugh still has a hit out onmyson too.”
“Don’t worry, Pops. I’ve got this.”
At least I hope I do.
Kane's name flashes across my phone.
Kane:Got something. Meet us at the station? I'm in your office.
Me:Yeah, I'll be right there.
I get up from the weight bench where I was trying to release some stress—clearly it didn’t work—to go find Sophia.
“Goddess, I need to go to the station. Kane found something on James. Do you want to come, or do you want me to call Pops?”
“I don't need a babysitter, Wyatt.” She stands with her hands on her hips, almost daring me to make her sit with someone.
“Nope. I’m not even going to entertain that.” I smile at her scowling face. “Your safety is my number one priority. I won’t risk it when we’re getting so close.”
“Fine.” She plops on the couch with a huff. “If I must have a babysitter, then I'd like to stay home. Invite your parents over to watch me.”
Sitting next to her, I pull her hand in mine. “I’m sorry. I’m doing my best to end this for us.”
“It’s not your fault. I get it. I know it too, logically. I’m just so tired of inconveniencing other people to live my life.” Her fingers squeeze mine back.
“I’m going to go change. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No thank you.”
I nod because it absolutely kills me to see her trapped in the house until we can catch James. Hopefully whatever Kane found brings us one step closer to doing that.
Me:Hey, I’ve got to run into the station, Kane has some information for me. Can you and Mom come over?
Pops:Of course. Be there in five.
Throwing on my uniform and brushing my teeth, I run back downstairs as quickly as I can.
Pops and Mom are already here, sitting with Sophia. I listen as her and Mom plan what to do with everything that's in the basement for the baby. Seeing her smile while they talk lessens a little bit of the guilt I feel at leaving.
“Thank you for coming so quick,” I say, hurrying down the hallway.
Mom greets me first. “Of course, baby.”
“I'm sorry to run, but I've got to go meet them. Hoping we can finish this and go find this asshole.”
Sophia gets up to walk with me to my truck like she does every time I go to work. I toss a wave to my parents and follow her down.
“Do you really think that you'll be able to get James today?”
My heart sinks at her question.
