Page 50 of Grayson’s Challenge

“Hey, John,” Zach said, and David greeted him in the same manner, while keeping one arm around Monique’s waist. John hugged both of them briefly.

Grayson instantly felt the closeness between John and the triplets. After all, John had seen them grow up; he’d worked at the palace until their late teens. When David had visited San Francisco two years earlier, he’d referred to John as his uncle, even though they weren’t related by blood or marriage. Grayson felt the same connection to many members of Scanguards. To him, the hybrids were his cousins, their parents his uncles and aunts.

“Grayson, thanks for sending Virginia and Cooper to get us,” David said and patted him on the shoulder.

Grayson nodded, acknowledging his gratitude. “I’m just glad you guys made it. Monique was quite worried about you.”

Monique cast him a thankful smile, and looking into her eyes now, he realized that he would do anything never to see worry in them again.

Zach gazed at John and Grayson. “Any news about Dad? And Samson, sorry,” he added with an apologetic gesture.

“We still don’t have a location,” Grayson started. “But we’re 99% sure who’s behind it: Abel.”

Zach and David stared at him in disbelief, then looked at John and Monique for confirmation. When both nodded, their facial expressions serious, the brothers cursed.

“Fuck!”

Behind them, Virginia and Cooper emerged.

“Hey,” Grayson said with a nod. “Thanks, Virginia, Cooper. Good work.”

“Anytime,” Virginia said, then gestured to the cell phone in her hand. “Just got off the phone with Pearce. He was able to trace the money that the two porn actresses received to a shell company. When he dug a little deeper”—which Grayson interpreted as hacking into various systems—“he found that the company belongs to Abel Montague. He said that the setup wasn’t very sophisticated. As if Abel didn’t even try to hide that it was him behind the shell company.”

“Odd,” David commented.

“Maybe not,” Grayson mused. “He only needed to hide that he’s behind all this until he had lured you into a trap. He already has our fathers, so at this point he probably doesn’t care that we know it’s him.”

“Grayson is right,” John interjected. “Knowing Abel, he wants us to know he’s behind it. He’s a sadistic jerk and likes to taunt people. His men could have simply killed Cain and Samson, but he preferred to kidnap them instead. He wants to watch all of you suffer.”

“He’s gonna pay for that,” Monique ground out.

For a brief moment, Grayson locked eyes with her, promising her silently that he would make sure of that.

“So, what’s the plan now?” Cooper asked into the short silence.

Grayson tore his gaze from Monique and noticed David look at him with a glint of surprise in his eyes. Had David noticed how he’d looked at Monique? Was it evident that there was something between them?

“John thinks that Abel might have sent some men to New Orleans to take over the palace,” Grayson said with a look at John.

“How’s that?” Zach asked.

“I called a few of the guards I trust,” John explained. “I couldn’t get a hold of anyone. I’m worried that those guards that are absolutely loyal to your father are gone. Either locked up or killed.”

Zach exchanged a look with his brother. “Let’s go there and take them out. You coming with us, John?”

“Of course,” John said immediately.

“You need more backup,” Grayson said. “I wish Monique and I could go with you, but we just got a lead on one of Abel’s men here in San Francisco that we have to follow up on.”

He motioned to Virginia and Cooper. “Virginia, you mind going with them? Cooper?”

Both nodded.

“But we need a couple more Stealth Guardians. I can’t make four of you invisible on my own and fight if need be. That requires too much energy. I’ll make some calls.” Virginia pulled out her cell phone and stepped into the living room.

“Thanks,” Zach said before turning to Monique. “So how much does Mom know? Have you told her that Abel is behind this?”

Monique nodded. “I called her on the drive over here from Grayson’s loft.” She stopped abruptly, sucking in a quick breath.