“It quiet out there?”
“Kyle Harding got here a few minutes ago, but that’s the only update I have on my end.”
I’d texted Weston to let him know that I asked Kyle to drive out and check in on Thomas.I thought he could use a friend, and instead, I just sent another kid into danger.
“We’re on our way out there now,” I tell him.
“Any particular reason?”
“We think that someone may be coming for Thomas, too.”
He’s quiet for a moment, likely because he’s checking windows.“That your headlights?”
Dread slams into me.“We’re still twenty minutes out.”
“Then it looks like company is here.I’ve got the fort.Just get here when you can.”
“Weston—”
“I’ll protect him, Demo.Just get here.”The call ends.
“Someone’s there.”The words make my skin crawl.This can’t be happening.
Zane slams on the accelerator, and we race off into the night.I only hope we get there in time.
Lord, please be with them.
Zane brings my truck to a sliding stop right as Weston steps out onto the porch.He throws a body down the steps into the dirt, then crosses his arms.Aside from his shirt being untucked in the front, he doesn’t even look like he broke a sweat.
“Thomas?”I demand as I rush out, weapon drawn.
“He’s fine.I was just taking out the trash.”
The man he just threw down groans, but Ryker is already flipping him over onto his belly and zip-tying his hands behind his back.
“There’s another one inside, though I wouldn’t expect that one to wake up anytime soon.Took a nasty fall face-first into the counter.”
“Where’s Thomas?”I sprint up the steps.
“In the cellar.Kyle’s with him.”
Without wasting another moment, I rush inside and rip open the floorboard that leads down into Weston’s cellar.
Kyle’s standing just below the stairs, a broken bottle in his hand.Thomas is behind him, both boys wide-eyed and terrified.Pride swells in my chest at the sight of Kyle taking such a protective stance over Thomas.
“Garrison!”Thomas pushes past Kyle and throws his arms around my neck, his entire body shaking.
Thank You, Lord.Thank You.Tears sting my eyes as I hold onto him.I press a kiss to the top of his head, so beyond grateful that he’s okay.
Kyle’s still frozen, eyes wide, a broken bottle in his shaking hand.I reach over with one hand and gently take it from him.After I toss it to the side, I pull him in for a hug, too.Both boys cling to me, terrified but safe.
“You guys are okay.You’re okay,” I tell them.
“Did they take my mom, too?Why is this happening?”
“We’re going to get her back, okay?”I pull away from them and look into Thomas’s wide, terrified eyes.“I promise, Thomas.For now, we need to get you both somewhere no one will think to look, okay?”
“Okay.”
“We can go to my house.They don’t know me.Mr.Hayes can come, too,” Kyle offers, likely wanting to keep Weston around for safety.
It’s a solid plan, but not this time.“That’s a great offer, Kyle, but I can’t risk putting you and your family in danger any more than I already have.I’m so sorry.If they don’t know you, we need to keep it that way.”
“Okay,” he says, standing a little straighter now.
“Thank you, Kyle.Thank you for protecting him.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
I reach forward and place a hand on the back of the kid’s head.“You would have.And that’s the same thing.”Outside, sirens wail.“Come on.Let’s get you two checked out.”