Page 80 of Kyle

Wrong thing to say. Way wrong. Kyle’s face turned red before he turned and stomped out of the room. Thad looked like he was getting ready to challenge Zane to a duel to the death and the rest of the team weren’t happy either.

“Thad,” I started. “I know this isn’t ideal—”

“Ideal? My wife was taken. You were taken. This shitstorm is the epitome of fucked. Neither of you should be anywhere near this operation.”

“But we are. And we’re the only two who can relate to Monica and hopefully get her to open up to us. It’s the only way, and you know it. Myles will take us up and everything will be fine.”

“You don’t even know Myles,” Thad barked.

“Don’t need to. You and Kyle trust Zane. And if this Myles person works for Zane, then Zane trusts him.”

“Anaya—”

“We’re gonna be fine,” I cut him off. “I need to do this. After what happened to me, I need to feel useful. I need to face my fears. And I need your help to do it. Kyle will never be okay with this, unless his team has his back. Please help me.”

Everyone was silent and I sighed. They weren’t going to help me.

“Thad—” I started.

“I don’t like it one goddamn bit. It has ‘disaster’ written all over it. But I also know Emmy, she’s relentless and won’t back down. I feel better knowing the two of you will be together.”

“Thank you. I’m gonna go find Kyle.”

I turned to leave but Zane stopped me. “Not with my son, you’re not.”

I squared my shoulders and turned the baby away from him. “Penitence for telling my man to pull up his big boy pants. Now it’s your turn. I’m giving Eric back to his mother, so her friends can cuddle and love on him, without his crazy father acting like a fool.”

Zane’s growl didn’t scare me. He was all bark and no bite. At least with the women in his life. There was no doubt he could snap a man in half with his bare hands and not break a sweat. But he’d never hurt me.

“How’d you get the baby?” Emerson asked, stunned, when I walked into the formal living room.

“Did you have to knock out Zane?” Tatiana smiled.

“Here.” I lowered Eric into Emerson’s waiting arms. “Don’t touch his face. Don’t breathe on him. I don’t even think you’re allowed to look at him.”

“God knows I love my husband. And part of that is because of how hard he loves. How protective he is. But this? This is so over the top it’s insane. He’s gonna give himself a heart attack if he doesn’t calm down.”

I looked at Ivy and I had to agree, Zane was being over the top. But I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of baby Eric. He was ten days old and had no idea how loved he was. How much his father adored him. How his mother’s eyes danced with joy every time she looked at him. Eric Lewis would never in his lifetime know what loneliness was. He’d never be cast away.

“But it sure beats the alternative.”

“Yeah, it sure does,” she whispered.

Then I went in search of my man.

Chapter 24

The day had progressively gone downhill.

Ashaki reported to Garrett that the stable of girls was ready for auction.

We were leaving Maryland at zero dark thirty to head to Canada, and a few hours later, Emerson and Anaya would be on their way to Connecticut with Myles.

“You’re wasting time,” Anaya huffed.

“What?” I turned from my gear I was packing.

“You’re sulking. We only have a few hours before you leave. Stop being mad, it’s not going to change anything.”