Page 18 of Cursed Fox (Willow Creek Security #4)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Nancy

I waited with bated breath to see which one Lex was going to choose.

I knew what I wanted him to do. It hurt my heart to watch him constantly blame himself for things that were out of his control.

He saw it as being cursed, but I saw it as the universe seeing what he could shoulder.

It was clear he’d hit his breaking point, though.

"I want what we discussed in your office. I want to live my life."

I brushed my thumb along his beard. "I want that to."

Lex let out a humorless laugh. "Less than an hour into this and already I've fucked things up."

My lips turned up into a small smile. "It's going to be a learning curve. I'm essentially asking you to change forty years’ worth of thinking. That would be hard for anyone."

He needed to learn to not be so hard on himself all the time.

Pot, meet kettle.

I was one to talk. All I’d done since Thomas left was put the blame on myself for every struggle my kids and I were forced to face. I should've let those feelings go a long time ago.

Lex cupped my cheek in his large palm. "How did I get so lucky?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "I wouldn't go that far," I told him, but he shook his head.

"If I have to change my way of thinking, then so do you."

Damn this man for knowing the right words. For someone who claimed not to like to talk, he sure had some sweet words. "You're right. I guess we're both a work in progress." I took a deep breath and looked back at the building. "We should probably get back inside before they come looking for us."

Lex turned off the ignition but didn't move. "I really don't want to use you as bait. You have to know that isn't my intention."

Oh this man.

"I know that. But I also know there's no other way. I've thought about this repeatedly, and there's no saying if Jimmy quit the NFL, the person sending the letters would stop. I need to know why this person is targeting my son. If that means using me, then so be it. My kids come first."

"No." Lex shook his head. "You're just as important as your kids. I need you to remember that."

I softened my expression. "I'll do my best."

Lex seemed to like my answer because he got out of the Jeep and came around to help me out. We walked back in and through the building holding hands.

I didn't miss the huge smile on Missy's face when she saw us. I also didn't miss the fact that no one looked surprised when we walked back into what Maverick had dubbed the war room.

Wes was quick to apologize as soon as he saw us. "I'm sorry, Lex. I'm just a bit stressed right now and the thought of anything happening to Nancy made me say something I didn't mean."

I dropped Lex's hand and walked straight over to my boss to give him a hug. Despite how much what he said pissed me off, I appreciated the apology to Lex more than he could realize.

"I'll forget all about it as long as you take your hands off my woman."

Wes being the ballbuster he was only hung on tighter. "She was my friend first."

I rolled my eyes at the childish response and stepped back.

"Knock it off." I went straight back to an eagerly awaiting Lex who wrapped me up as soon as I got close enough.

"Getting back to the topic at hand, I agree with Lex.

We need to have the Pioneers make a formal statement that while due to the injury, Jimmy will be out for the season, he fully plans to return. "

"You do realize that's only going to piss the person off, right?"

I knew Wes was just trying to protect me, but it pissed me right off that he would think I would be so naive to jump at something without fully thinking it through.

"Yes, I'm well aware. That's what I'm hoping for. It's important to me that I find out who is sending those letters to my son."

"And you," Maverick added.

"Yes, and me." I rolled my eyes. My one letter compared to the dozen or so Jimmy got was hardly worth mentioning. It didn't even threaten me.

Wes looked at Falcon and Arlo, who had stayed quiet through the entire discussion. "Are you guys okay with providing any support Maverick and his team might need?"

Both men simply nodded. Like Lex, these two barely spoke unless necessary.

"Okay. Give him a call."

I used the phone on the table and waited as the call almost rang out. At the very last second, Jimmy answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, son. It's me."

"Oh thank God. Tell Lex, the next time he whisks you away because you're in danger, at least make sure you have your phone."

I rolled my eyes at how dramatic my son was acting. "I'll be sure to let him know."

"Do that or let me talk to him. I'll set him straight."

There was no way I was putting Lex on the phone with my son right now. It was too early in our relationship for that. "Or I could tell you why I'm calling."

Jimmy sighed. "I have a feeling I'm not going to like this."

Not in the least. But instead of saying that, I injected happiness into my voice. "I want you to ask the Pioneers to make a statement about your injury. I know Fred has been holding them off, but I think it's time."

My son didn't say anything for a while. Long enough that I had to check the phone to make sure the call wasn't disconnected.

"So let me get this straight. You want the team to announce that I'm coming back after my injury so that whoever is threatening me can try to kill you ?" Jimmy enunciated the last few words.

Well, when he put it like that.

"I don't plan on letting anyone kill me."

"No one ever plans on it, Mom."

Oh the dramatics of the men in my life. "I promise to be safe, but I should warn you … I got my own letter in the mail."

"What?!"

My son shouted that single word so loudly, I had to pull the phone away from my ear. I considered yelling at him for that, but I understood his concern, so I let it slide.

Just this one time.

"What did it say, Mom?"

There was no way I was telling him that. "Nothing important."

"Are you kidding me right now? You forced me to show you the last letter I got and now you want to be secretive about this one. Tell me what it said."

"I'm your mother. That's different."

"Seriously? You're going to play that card."

I would absolutely play whatever card I needed to if it meant protecting my son from knowing what was said about him. Only once in my life had I ever heard anyone say anything similar.

Then it hit me. Suddenly, everything fell into place. I couldn't believe I didn't see it before this. "Jimmy, I have to go." I hung up on him and turned to Wes and Lex.

"It's Thomas."

"Who?" Lex said at the same time Wes growled, "Your ex-husband, Thomas?"

"Yes, my ex-husband. He's the one who's been sending the letters to Jimmy. I need to see the others to be sure, but if they’re anything like the last two, it all makes sense."

"What makes sense?" Maverick joined in on the conversation. "Why would your ex-husband be sending your son threats about quitting the NFL and harming you if he doesn't."

"Because Thomas never wanted kids. He hated Jimmy and Jessie. Would constantly remind me that they never should've been born. But it was what he said to me before he left that makes me think it's him."

"What did he say?" I could practically see the anger pouring off Lex in waves.

"That if he could, he would leave us with nothing. Because he never wanted any of us to succeed."