Page 80

“I—”

“Shut the fuck up and listen. You’re in danger.” My spine snaps straight. Surely, I didn’t hear him right. “Where’s Gia?”

“D-downstairs.” I stand and quickly move through the small room.

“Go to her and put me on speaker.” I rush down the stairs, and relief floods me when I see her chopping fruit for breakfast in the small, ill-equipped kitchen area. She turns with a beaming smile that falls from her face when she sees the panic on my own.

I hold my phone up. “Owen.” I nod toward the phone.

“Gia. Listen to me. There’s no way to tell you this, so I’ll just come out and say it.”

“Okay,” she whispers and wraps her arms around herself.

“I’ve researched Jaxon’s death. It wasn’t an accident, darlin’. Men were hired to kill him.” She jolts at his words while I move to comfort her, and she simply nods as if not surprised. “Your father ordered the hit, Gia.”

A sob catches in her throat before she clears it. “Okay.” The strength and resilience of her makes my nostrils flare. No woman should have to go through this, ever.

“It gets worse. According to my sources, George flew into a rage when he discovered Bryce is one of the majority shareholders of the company and now also owns the land.”

“Oh God.” She throws her arm over her chest and her legs almost give way, but I hold her still. I become her strength, like she is mine.

“You’re in danger, Gia. Bryce is in danger.”

“What the fuck?” I snap out.

“Get the place locked up tight. I’m on my way up there with the best men I know to bring you all to safety.”

“Owen. Does he know where we are?” I grit out as pure rage surges inside me.

“Yeah, man, he does.” I hear the defeatism in his tone, and a pang of fear flashes through me. I detach from Gia, hoping she can’t sense my inner turmoil.

“Fuck!” I grunt as I pace the cabin floor.

“I’m twenty minutes out, but I called in some favors, and a couple of my guys are already ahead of me.”

“Reed?” I spin on my heel toward Gia, and her face has blanched with fear. “Br-Bryce is fishing at the lake.”

Her words send a shudder of panic through me, and I hurry toward Jax’s crib, lifting him into my arms. “Take him and get in a closet and lock every fucking door, Gia. I’m going to fetch Bryce.”

“But what if…” I shake my head while pushing a knife into her hand.

“I’ll bring him back, I promise.” I kiss the top of her head and bolt toward the door while continuing to speak to Owen. “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah, man, I heard.”

“Hurry the fuck up, will you.”

“I’m on my way brother.” I cut the call and head out the door to find my son.

I only hope I’m not too late.

CHAPTERFORTY-NINE

REED

I kickup the dirt as I run barefoot down the trail that leads to the fishing dock. When Bryce’s silhouette comes into view, I feel an overwhelming sense of relief ravish my veins.

Thank fuck.