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"I need to make an urgent call to my mum." So urgent I can't stop and grab Nico first. I need to do this myself and leave someone more capable to look after Nico.
"Right. Yes, of course." Caeo nods warmly. I think I could like this man most out of all Knox's men.
I hurry him along as we leave the hospital, without even knowing where his car is.
"Knox and Edward have taken the police interest away from Nico. They shouldn't be looking for him anymore." Caeo does his best to explain the situation that is keeping Knox from my side, but all I can think about is the note and talking to my mum.
As Caeo drives me home, I can’t show any interest in the clever away the Thayers have wrapped this whole thing up in a bow. Keeping Nico's name out of the investigation is costing them in information and losing a few family members to their crimes. It seems the family way, sell out a few fringe members who are wanted in open cases and no one will question Nico on the bastards who took him. The police must think this is their lucky day. Nico is nothing more than a side note in the case of who killed Gavriil, and in return, they get to close a few unsolved cases. It proves loyalty doesn't go unpunished in the family. But in a strange way, I'm certain all the mobsters who've been sacrificed will gain more than they lose. This is a family after all, and they really do take care of their own.
"Do you need me to come in?" Caeo asks. "I really should get back…"
As much as I want him to say its Nico he wants to get back to, I really don't. Caeo looks out for him as much as Knox and Edward, but unlike them, he has no guilt as a motive. I want to hope he is so kind to Nico for other reasons, I just hope it takes him a while longer to realise so I can enjoy Nico to myself a bit more.
"No, I'm fine. I just need to phone my mum about something."
My dad. I need to see if all of this is about my dad. Why the absent bastard would be behind Nico's abduction I have no idea, but I need to find out. Knox needs to know.
I run into the house, barely thanking Freddie for opening the door. My only interest is talking to my mum. I ring the number with shaking fingers, the patient's note screwed up in my hand.
"Hello?" The nursing home phone is answered by a young female voice, who then wastes time telling me where I've called.
"Ms Ellis please, it's her son, Porter."
"I believe she is napping. I'll wake her for you."
I see movement from the corner of my eye, which I assume is Freddie, until someone is right behind me.
The hand comes across my face, clamping around my mouth. The phone drops as I try to pull free, but an arm around my middle traps me against the masked man.
Chapter thirty-four
Knox
AccordingtoCaeo'sinstructions,Nico is sleeping right behind this curtain.
Leaving Porter here was a waste of time, as I'd already guessed Dad's plan, but he felt the need to tell me everything face to face. He needed to remind himself that I still run when he calls, and he needed to see me fane gratitude as he fixes my mess.
"Nico, wake up, pet." I've no time to hang around here. I just want to get Nico home to rest and hug both my boys.
"Mr Slayer?" Nico wakes up, frowning. "Why I sleep here?"
"You can forget all that broken English. You manage just fine."
"Gavriil say to pretend… He… All those beeps. He is…?"
"He's gone. I'm so sorry." I reach for him, hugging him into me like I should have done when he lost his mother.
"I want to go home. The place you call home."
"I want it to be your home too, Nico. Please say you'll stay."
"For as long as you and Mr Porter wants me."
I promised Porter a place of his own in case he needed it, with no intention of letting him go. It's this boy who needs to know he has a backup plan, at least for now.
"Come on, pet. I've got you." I put his arm around my shoulder, but he flinches in pain, so we end up with my arms around his middle. This feels more like the hug he needs as we walk.
"Did they tell you why?" Nico mutters. "Tell me there is good reason to this, to why he is gone."
