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“What?” Thad asks, and I slip my phone back in my pocket. He’ll need to know how we got the confirmation, but I’m not ready to tell him what I really do. He thinks he knows. He’s heard the stories, but he doesn’t really know.
“I just got confirmation that Phantom is here. We need to get to the compound and get ready. He’ll want me, and I’ll gladly give myself up for my daughter.
* * *
Thad
Istop talking into the phone and look at her. When her words sink in, I hand the phone to Dylan.
“I got transpo in fifteen. Get help.” I grab my girl.
“You are fucking not giving yourself up forourdaughter.” I enunciate the word because Sky is both of ours. “I won’t lose my daughter and the woman I love in one swoop.” I kiss her hard on the lips and let her go. I need to get to the trooper post, where the helicopter is waiting for me. “You make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. Her life is in your hands until I come back. Take her and Ryder to the compound,” I order Reaper, and he nods. The compound is the most fully defensible place we have right now. Reaper knows what I’m currently feeling. I did some searching and I know his and River’s little secret.
I’m moving across the pavement, my boots stomping, as Scout yells that she doesn’t take orders from me. Dylan slides into the driver’s seat and I climb into the passenger seat of his SUV. We head to the post with the lights and sirens blaring.
I call back dispatch and order a BOLO on Monica’s car, her, and Stanley “Phantom” Smith. I also request a printout of stolen vehicles to be waiting for me when I arrive. If history repeats itself, he’ll be in a stolen vehicle or motorcycle, and I’ll find him. He won’t get away from me. I read the report on what he did to Scout. He’s dead if I get to him. Fuck my badge.
We pull up less than fifteen minutes later and I’m running for the helicopter. I’ll take the controls, while Dylan has a fixed wing plane waiting for him at the small airplane strip.
I jump into the helo and see the reports. I quickly scan them before lifting off. I start a grid search pattern over the city. I hate how time-consuming this is going to be. I want to call Reaper and make sure he has Scout safe, but I focus on finding my daughter.
A thought hits me and I go with it. I hand my phone to my copilot and instruct him to dial Monica’s cell and triangulate her location when she picks up.
The call goes to voicemail and I have him try again. I’ll blow up her phone until she picks up.
“Thad, if you promise to marry me, I’ll give her back.” Monica’s voice sounds tinny over the speakerphone, and I’m thinking she’s in an area with little cell service.
“I want my daughter back, Monica. You don’t want to do this.”
“He told me if I get her, he’ll take care of everything,” she whines, and I look over the area. Still nothing.
“He’s a murderer, don’t trust him.
“Gotta go. He just pulled up. I’ll tell him we made a deal and—”
A gunshot rings out and I hear screaming.
“Skyler,” I yell.
“This isn’t how the game is played.” A deep voice comes across the line before it goes dead. My copilot dials back, but it immediately goes to voicemail.
THIRTEEN
SCOUT
Thad is barely out of the parking lot when I’m dialing Keys.
“I want a location on the fucker working with Phantom,” I bark the order and move toward the bikes. I’m holding tightly to Ryder. I can’t and won’t lose him too.
“On it, Prez. He’s been hiding from the authorities, but I pinged his IP earlier. I think I know where he’s hiding.” I hear the clicking of keys across the line and look at everyone around me.
“Frenchie, take Ryder and go to the compound. Guard him and my mother in my place. I want Keys, Poison, and Badger backing you up. Make sure Scarlett arms them up. Lock it down. You know how. No one in or out but a Handmaiden.”
She nods and moves toward Thad’s truck.
“Please bring my sissy and daddy home,” Ryder says as he hugs me.
My heart clenches. This little guy is stuck in my heart too. I hope I make it through this to watch him grow, but I highly doubt it. If I kill Phantom and Monica, I’ll be going to jail for a long time. But if it saves my family, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.
