Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I let out a sigh. I didn’t want him to know his mother had been kidnapped. Unfortunately, I forgot how little kids have big ears. He overheard me talking with Grunt and it took me hours to calm him down and reassure him I’d bring his mom home. I can see tonight that although he’s calmer, he is still very worried. I’m not exactly sure how to handle this. It has been a while since I’ve been in charge of a small child. I’m afraid I’m screwing everything up.
I’ve had Asher for two days. It has been two days of happiness because he’s a great kid, but also it has been filled with stress, worry, and frustration as I wait for Ivan to call me back. At the moment, poor Asher’s staring up at me with eyes that look so much like his mom’s. They’re shining with unshed tears. He’s trying so hard to be strong. It’s going to take him a long time to get over this. Hell, he might always worry from here on out. That’s yet another thing that Benny Martelli needs to suffer for.
“Hey, I promised you I’d bring your momma home, didn’t I?”
Asher nods his head, sniffling quietly. I let my hand slide against the side of his face tenderly. “Buddy, I promise I’m going to bring your momma home. I already have people out there finding her, and the minute I know, I’m getting her. That’s a promise.”
“You like my mommy? Like she was your girlfriend, I mean.”
“I do. She’s very important to me, Asher. You both are.”
“I’m scared,” he whispers, as if he’s ashamed.
“It’s okay to be afraid. Everyone gets scared, Asher.”
“You don’t.”
“I do. I’m worried right now because I want you and your mom with me. I get scared I won’t be able to do that because it’s so important. That’s why I called in all of my friends and we’re all working together to bring your mom home safely to us.”
“Your friends?”
“Exactly. I have the best people in the world all working together, and I know that we’re going to bring your mom back.”
“Do you promise, Ford?”
“I promise. Now, do you know what else I know about your mom?”
“What?” he asks.
“If she finds out you’ve been crying over her, she’ll be upset. Your mom is very strong. She’ll be fine and when she gets here, she’ll want to know you’re okay.”
“I’ll be better. You really think your friends can find my mommy?”
“I do. They do this kind of thing all the time. They’re like … real life superheroes,” I invent. I don’t add that instead of powers, they’re trained in torture and getting information others can’t.
“Superheroes?” he repeats, his eyes going large with wonder.
“Exactly,” I tell him with a big grin. “So, you go to sleep and I’m going to check in with them and work on bringing your mommy home.”
“Thank you, Ford,” he says, sitting up suddenly and wrapping his arms around my neck. “I love you.”
Emotion hits me and I try to swallow it down. “I love you, too, little man. I love you, too.”
I close my eyes and cradle the little boy close. He has a piece of my heart as big as the one his mother seems to have taken without even trying. Hell, she probably doesn’t even want me at this point. Somehow, though, I will win her over. As he lays back down against his pillows, I can’t stop myself from ruffling his hair.
“Will you lay here with me Ford, just until I fall asleep? I’m not a little kid. I just …,” he sighs, moving his fingers through the cover and avoiding looking at me. “I miss my mom.”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you would let me stay with you for a few minutes for that very reason. I miss her, too,” I tell him.
I tuck him in and lay beside him on the bed, thankful the room has a double bed. Asher curls into me and I hold him, sliding my hand back and forth on his back, trying to reassure him. I actually expected it to take hours before he let sleep claim him, but I can tell within thirty minutes or so that his breathing has evened out.
I slowly extricate myself from the bed, kiss Asher’s temple. I put a pillow to his back, hoping he will think I’m still there with him. I carefully step outside the room, closing the door as quietly as I can.
When I got Asher, I moved us into the hotel that the Saints own. There’s more security here, and it just seemed a better choice. I don’t think Grace would approve of her son living in the Saints Outlaws clubhouse. I have people watching her house, too, and although no one has come around, I don’t think it’s smart to bring Asher back there. I need to shield and protect him. I can’t risk Grace’s ex getting his hands on the boy. So, I talked to Hangman and rented out a three-bedroom suite here. It has worked out well. Lyla and Thomas are in the master bedroom with baby Tasmin. I actually have the smallest of the bedrooms, but that’s fine. I don’t need much. I just want to find Grace. I don’t think I will be able to truly sleep until that happens. I make it across the hall to my room and fall down on the bed. I throw my hands over my eyes and try to get control of the worries that are plaguing me. I can’t handle letting anxiety take over. I will find Grace. I just need to remain diligent. I close my eyes and immediately Grace’s beautiful face comes to mind. I let it soothe me and I’m close to sleep myself when my cell rings. I pull it out of my pocket, reading the caller ID. Ivan. I answer it at once, praying that he has good news.