“Shit,” she muttered.
“What the fuck is going on?” I demanded.
She sighed, sounding resigned. “It was supposed to be a surprise. She’s coming to you. She left for Bishop the day before yesterday. She should be there by now,” she fretted.
“Fuck,” I grunted as my gaze landed on Tank, and with a look, I communicated what I needed. The brothers, as many as he could find.
The very thought of something happening to Grace threatened to eviscerate my sanity. But I couldn’t lose my head, not now. So, battle mode it was, a frame of mind I was all too familiar with.
“I’ll get my men out canvassing the route while Cason tries to track her virtually—see if we get any pings from her credit card on where she might have stopped.”
“I can help with that,” Gunner offered as Tank reappeared with Cason, Ryland, and Lincoln. It wasn’t everyone, but it was enough.
“Appreciate it. Gotta get my men mobilized,” I shared. “Report back.”
“Will do,” he replied as I ended the call. “It’s Grace,” I shared without preamble, turning my eyes to my men. “She was on her way here, left day before yesterday, should be here by now. Cason—need you on the screens trying to locate her that way. I also want someone here in case she shows up.” At his nod, I continued, “Rest of you—need you on your bikes. I’ll take the 70E—figure that’s her most likely route. Ry, Linc, you two take the 50.”
“On it,” they agreed immediately.
We’d had each other’s backs under fire more than once.
“I’m taking the truck so I can be in contact,” I shared as I grabbed my cut and headed for the door. I didn’t want to spare a second in getting to Grace, wherever she was.
Chapter 12
GRACE
Ihad no idea of the time as I briefly surfaced through my fever-ridden haze. The headache had come on as I’d crossed through Nevada into Utah. By the time I’d checked into the roadside motel, I had a full-blown fever and felt like hell.
This was what I got for insisting on loving up on Frannie’s twins despite both of them having colds.
I bought some pain meds and water from the corner store and settled into the scratchy bedsheets, curtains drawn, determined to sleep off my fever and continue my journey when the sun came up.
Now, I had the distinct sense more time had passed than I’d intended, but I couldn’t bring myself to care as I drifted back into a feverish sleep.
I was roused again by a pounding from my… head? Or was that the door? I struggled to come to, realizing it was in fact an incessant pounding at my motel room door.
I honestly wasn’t sure I could make it the six feet to open the door when it was busted open, the flimsy lock flying through the air.
Now, I knew I was really losing it, because I swore I saw Ruston silhouetted in the doorway.
“What a good dream,” I sighed, flopping back on the bed and drifting back to sleep.
I gasped what felt like seconds later as I was submerged into ice-cold bathwater.
“Sorry, baby, gotta get your fever down.”
“You’re really here,” I mumbled, wincing up at Ruston in the entirely too-bright bathroom.
“I’m really here,” he confirmed, his expression full of concern. “And you’re really fucking sick, ladybug.”
“This so isn’t how I pictured this going,” I groaned through chattering teeth. “So much for my super-cute surprise outfit.” I looked down in dismay at my naked body. He’d obviously stripped me before putting me in the bath.
“We’ll talk later about any future surprises you might be planning.” He grunted as he swept a hand over my forehead. “And if you weren’t so sick, I’d say this is about the best outfit I could think of.”
“Can I get out now?” I demanded, already feeling more lucid and not too keen to lie naked, undoubtedly looking like death, and in really unflattering lighting, no less.
He nodded, supporting me as I stood up on shaking legs. I felt incredibly weak as he wrapped me in a towel and guided me back out toward the bed, where he lay me down under the covers.
