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The two stared down for several seconds, and then Thumper finally turned around. Wings secured his hands behind his back and searched him for any weapons. He lifted a concealed gun and switchblade, and they led Thumper out to their truck. As Wings and Zane were about to call for back-up to transport the enforcer, two SUVs screeched to a stop behind them, and Jay climbed out. From his intense expression and quick stride, Zane knew the news wasn’t good.

“Wings, you and BB take Thumper back to KSI and get him secured. Zane, you’re coming with me and Panther now.”

“What’s going on?” Zane asked even as they moved to do as Jay ordered.

“Sam called. Something’s up. We’re heading to your mom’s place.”

Zane froze as Jay handed him his personal cell phone. Going into the op, he carried only the burner phone assigned to his alias. He left his personal phone with BB in case his mother or Bridget needed something. Seeing the several missed calls and voicemails from Bridget had his stomach sinking to his feet.

“We need to roll. Now.”

Zane climbed into the passenger seat while Jay sat behind the wheel. They tore out of the sock mill parking lot with BB and Wings following close behind. Zane started listening to the voicemails, his unease growing with each one.

“Hi, Zane. It’s me. I know you’re busy, but I thought you should know. I saw Seth tonight. He showed up at the hospital to talk to me. Don’t worry. Sam was there to keep me safe. He’s talking to Seth now. Something weird is going on. I don’t know what. I just know I wish you were here. Anyway, I’m going to check on the kids and get back to work. They must be having a good time with your mom because Mat hasn’t texted me back yet. Be safe, Zane. I can’t wait to see you later.”

“Zane, it’s me again. Something’s wrong. I’ve tried calling the kids, and neither of them are answering. I don’t know your mom’s number, so will you call her? I’m starting to freak out.”

“Sam and I have left the hospital. No one is answering my calls, and I’m really worried. We’re heading to your mother’s now. Call me when you get this.”

“Zane, where are you? They’re not here. The place is a mess, and Maggie and the kids are gone. You have to get here. I can’t lose them. I can’t…”

Zane whipped his eyes around to Jay as they sped in the direction of his mother’s house. “What the hell is going on?”

“The doctor was told to attack Bridget. He was paid well to put on a show for the cameras planted at her house, and he was told she would like it and would give him the ride of his life. Sam got the whole story and called me. Then Bridget told him the kids weren’t responding to her calls and texts. They left the hospital to head to your mother’s house. There’s evidence of a break-in, and Maggie and the kids are gone.”

Zane’s heart pounded, and he felt all the color drain from his face. “You’re telling me someone kidnapped them? Where the hell was their security detail? Holy shit! It has to be the De la Peñas, but why take Mom and the kids? What the hell are we missing?”

“Don’t lose your shit on me. Lex was there, but he was jumped doing a perimeter check. He’s okay, and he’s leading the investigation into what happened. Tryst has every investigator and the rest of the Delta Team over at your mother’s house to collect evidence and start chasing down leads. They’re also cleaning up as they go. Whoever took them wants leverage against you, so they won’t hurt them until they get what they want. That’ll buy us some time to track them down. And we will. You know we will. They’ve come after our family, and we’ll stop at nothing to get them back. Copy?”

“Copy. But I better call Bridget. She’s has to be freaking out.”

He dialed her number, guilt eating at him. He should have been there for her. Instead he was taking a meet which hadn’t put him any closer to taking down the De la Peñas. Maggie tried to tell him his place was with Bridget and her kids, and he’d pushed them to the side because he couldn’t admit his case could be closed without him. He never wanted his family to be touched by what he did for a living, but now his choices have put danger right in his backyard.

When Bridget answered, he could hear her sobs as she spoke. “Zane. Oh my God! Someone took them. I should have been here. They have to be so scared. What if they’re hurt? I can’t…I can’t handle losing them too. I don’t know what to do! My mind is going to some dark places.”

“Baby, you need to breathe. I know you’re scared and worried. Tell me what you’re thinking. Let me take that on for you. Let me help you sort through it.”

He listened to her taking one deep breath after another, and he wished he could be there to take her in his arms.

“I’m okay. I wish there was something I could do. I, uh, I almost called their grandparents. I was so close to accusing them of doing this. But they wouldn’t put the kids through this, would they? They wouldn’t take your mother, too, right? But who else would take them? Oh, my God. What if it’s some human trafficker or something? Zane, I’m freaking out here. There are people going through everything with a fine-tooth comb, but I can tell they’re not finding anything. What if we never find them?”

“Wait, Bridget. Are you talking about the Williamses? Aren’t they in Georgia?”

“That’s where they live, but they’re still in Grayson Cove. When I checked Mat’s phone — he left it behind in his room — there was a voicemail from them. They heard about Seth, and they wanted Mat to come see them at their hotel. They told him they wanted to make sure he and Marlowe were okay, but they never asked to see her. Just him. I never would have believed they would be capable of this, but people do things which are out of character when they’re desperate, right?”

“Right. Bridget, keep taking deep breaths. You’re not going to be any good to the kids if you’re hysterical. Hang on a minute while I talk to Jay. I’m not hanging up, though. I’m still right here.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Okay.”

He turned his phone into his shoulder, so she couldn’t hear him. He knew Jay heard every word he said to her, so he didn’t beat around the bush.

“She thinks the grandparents took them. Apparently they’re still in town and tried to see Mathias after Bridget’s attack.”

“They’re connected to Tarrant, and after what Thumper told you, it’s probably time for us to talk to them. Panther, have Sam and Gennessey pick them up. Make sure they leave Isobel in charge of Bridget’s security detail.”

“Copy that,” Cole said as he dialed his cell.

“I want to be there when you question them,” Zane insisted.