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“Hey, Brooks’ mom, you doing okay?” Baron asked.
To Grady’s shock, Effie let go of him and flew at the boys. Baron grabbed her, recovering quickly, nodding as she whispered something to him. Then she hugged Royal. He gave her a regal nod.
Turning, she came back to him. But she grabbed Brooks’ hand, squeezing it.
“I’m better now,” she said huskily.
Ink eyed her but nodded. “All right, this sounds like a professional hit to me.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Steele said. “But I don’t recognize this guy. I can put out the word, but it might take a while for information. I think our best lead is Brooks’ uncle. Although how he’d have the money or means for this, I don’t know.
“I looked into him,” Grady said. “He seems ordinary. There were a couple of old arrests for theft, but nothing stuck. He lives a quiet life. But there’s got to be more.”
“My dad,” Brooks said, then he cleared his throat. “He said something about the woman who birthed me having an uncle. But not a blood uncle like an honorary one. Dad said he wasn’t a good man. Also, he said that Tanya had a weird relationship with him, like she worshipped him or something. But that one day they had a fight and he cut ties with her. Maybe it’s him. Or something to do with him.”
“Fuck, maybe we need to send someone to talk to her. Although whether she’ll talk is debatable,” Steele said.
“She probably won’t,” Effie whispered. “Tanya is stubborn.”
“We need to question Chantelle and check the cameras,” Grady said. “As well as speak to Wolfe again. I can do that.”
“That leaves me with this guy,” Steele said grimly.
“And me,” Ink said.
“I figured you might take the boys with you,” Steele said to Ink. “I’ll need to take him somewhere more secure.”
Ink shook his head. “You need back-up. I’ll call Spike; he got home yesterday. I’ll get him to come get the boys and Effie and take them to my place. It’s secure.”
“I want to stay with you guys,” Effie said.
Grady squeezed her tight. He didn’t want her or Brooks away from him.
“Effie stays with me,” Steele said firmly.
Grady gave him a worried glance. He was holding himself together. But just barely. He looked like a powder keg about to ignite, and Grady knew why.
She could have been shot.
“I don’t think Effie needs to see what’s going to happen with this guy,” Ink said carefully. “You trust Spike, right? We’ll tell him to stay with her. And I’ll make sure they’re secure with plenty of guards. No one will get to them.”
Steele looked torn.
“I’ll go with Spike,” Effie said. “I’ll be all right, Damon.”
“You’ll do exactly as he says. He goes everywhere with you,” Steele ordered.
She nodded.
“And we’ll be there too,” Baron said. “We’ll keep Effie safe.”
Steele looked about as worried as Grady felt about that. But there was no denying that the twins were resourceful.
“Fine. Fuck. Fuck!” Steele yelled, turning to kick a crate.
Effie jumped but didn’t make a noise. Brooks tensed next to him. Then Effie tugged free of his hold and walked over to Steele, wrapping herself around him and whispering quietly.
He nodded, then straightened and turned, pulling her into his arms. He glanced around at everyone. “Sorry.”
