Page 15

“Disgraceful,” Grim muttered, more to himself, then looked at me. “They have a two-day head start on you. I suggest you read the letter then haul ass.”
I looked down at the letter then back at him as he turned to walk away. “Grim,” I called, and he looked back at me, “boy or girl?”
He cut his eyes to Easton then back at me, and I nodded. “Be careful.”
I have a son.
In a foggy state of mind, I tucked the letter in my pocket, paid the bill, and Easton and I left to find the others.
Cole was packing up the SUV, and I could see his sore arm still slowed him down some. Savannah handed out snacks to the players. “We won, three to one. Where were you guys?”
“We got milkshakes and fries,” Easton called as he raced to tell his mother.
“Cole,” my voice was low and cold, “I, ah, I think I may need your help with something.”
He immediately called Mark to take over. “Let’s go chat over there.” He pointed to a bench just off the playground. We walked in silence while I tried to pull my head together then took a seat on the snot-infested wooden bench.
“I’m not one for beating around the bush, so I’m going to lay it all out for you.” I pulled out the unopened letter. “Grim Gates just found me.” I pointed in the direction we’d just come from.
“As in here, here?”
“Yes.”
“Shit, I guess that’s what Mike was calling about. I missed the call.”
I took a deep breath. “I think I know what Jerry Canos’ men were freaking out over.”
“Really?”
“Talya went to see Grim a while back because she was leaving her parents’ business to go raise her child away from the Cartel life.”
“Talya Canos has a child?” He seemed just as confused as I was.
“Did. I guess she was killed.” I blinked away how much that hurt. “And, well, it turns out that baby is mine.” I watched as he absorbed the information. “Yeah, that was my face too.”
“Holy shit, Paul.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry about Talya, but holy shit.”
I nodded repeatedly. “So, as you’re digesting that, here’s something else. The word is out about him, and now my son is most likely the youngest child ever to be at the top of the Cartel’s most wanted list. They’ll use my kid as a bargaining chip.” I wiped the sweat off my forehead. “Cole, if those monsters get their hands on him… Oh, my God. And if Jerry and Elva get him, I’ll never have a relationship with him.”
Cole rubbed his face and let out a long breath. “How old is he?”
“One and a half, maybe two? My head’s too foggy to work out the math.”
“Young enough not to be swayed in any direction.” Thankfully, Cole’s brain was already working out details. “All right, we’ve been under the clock before. We can do it again. Let’s get back to the house and figure this all out.”
“Cole,” I knew it was a big favor to ask, but he knew I’d go there, “when we do this, I want to be part of it, and I don’t mean the drone.”
He saw Savannah watching us. “Let’s talk at home and work everything out with the others.”
“Yeah.” It was all I could manage to say. We stood, and he turned to look at me straight on and put his hands on my shoulders.
“For just a second, clear your head of everything and really hear me when I say this.” I nodded. “You’re a father, Paul.”
“Seems that way.”
“You’re one of us now.” He laughed and clapped me on the back. “Listen, man, we’re gonna get your son home safe and sound so you can raise him on the right side. It's really amazing that Talya did that for both of you.”
He was right. I could fall apart over Talya later. Right now, I needed to get to my son.