Page 65 of Kylie

“We took you there on June fourth, got you out on August tenth.”

Avery’s birthday.

“Why didn’t you get me out before?” I turned my head, leveled him with a stare. “Why did you take me there in the first place?”

Instantly, his expression filled with something that looked like regret. “I had to.”

I let my stare linger on his face for a second, then looked out the window again. “Because it’s your job.”

It wasn’t a question, nor did he answer. He didn’t need to. We both knew the truth. He admitted he worked for the FBI, investigating Martin. Which meant he didn’t have to do Martin’s dirty work. Yet he did. And I was a near-casualty in the FBI’s plan to take down Martin Calloway.

“How long do I have to stay here?”

“Say the word and I’ll take you home.”

That got my attention. I looked into his dark brown eyes, seeking the truth. He didn’t appear to be lying, but I could tell he was hoping I wouldn’t push the issue.

I wanted to. God, I wanted to go home.

“Do you think he’d go to ground?” I asked. “Martin, I mean. If I go home.”

“Yes.”

I took a deep breath. And if he did, that meant he would still be out there, still be capable of coming after me or my kids or someone I loved at any time.

He paused for several heartbeats before saying, “We will take him down, Kylie. I promise you that. I will make it safe for you to go home if it’s the last thing I do.”

Turning my attention to the window once again, I said, “Then I guess we’d better do what’s needed to take him down because I won’t stay here much longer.”

“I understand.”

I cut my gaze to his, held his stare. “I really hope you do.”

Chapter Thirty

Monday, September 19, 2022

Kylie

My oldest son turned six today.

Unfortunately, Allison hadn’t been able to get me any pictures of my kids during her trips to Coyote Ridge. According to her, keeping her distance was critical since she had worked for Brantley and Reese for a short stint, and some people in town knew her face.

I understood. Mostly.

Except Kade turned six today.

That meant I had missed two of his birthdays.

I’d also missed two of Avery’s, not to mention her first day of kindergarten.

The thought caused an ache in my chest. Not a little patter, but a full-on ache like someone had put my heart in a vise and was going to town on it.

Haden had turned four back in June. Maddox was now three, as of May 19th.

I had only missed one of Kate’s birthdays because hers was in December.

Only one. And I would be damned if I would miss another.