Page 100 of Hero of Mine (Men in Uniform 2)

“How much did you give him?”

“I told you to get out!”

“I need to know what you gave him and how much. He could be overdosing as we speak.” Tyler stared down the woman, noting her wide, wild eyes and the overstuffed suitcase on the bed. “You don’t want him to die, do you? You went through all the trouble to steal him; there must be a part of you who cares.”

“He’s fine,” she snapped. “I used to give it to Angel when he wouldn’t calm down. I would worry more about your safety right now.”

“That’s really nice, drugging your own kid and repeating it with your grandson. No wonder your son is a fucking addict.”

Camila took several steps forward, waving the gun around angrily, and a cold sweat broke out over Tyler’s skin as he prayed it wouldn’t go off.

“You shut your mouth. I was a good mother. I did everything for him. If I’m guilty of anything, it is indulging him. But now, I have a second chance.”

“A second chance? You stole a child from his mother. If you think you’re getting out of this city with him, you’re out of your damn mind.”

Tyler was already convinced she was off her rocker, but the last thing he wanted was for her to accidentally shoot Noah. Or him.

“José! Pablo!” she yelled.

“Sorry, my friends have got them a little tied up right now.”

The gun went off, whizzing by Tyler’s arm and hitting somewhere behind him.

“I have five bullets left. Next time, I won’t miss,” she said.

“I’m not leaving this house without Noah,” he said.

“You’re going to leave in a body bag if you don’t get out of this house.”

“Then you can add murder to the list of felonies that California is going to charge you with. Either way, Noah will be back where he belongs.” He shook his head, keeping his hands up so she didn’t shoot. “Why in the hell are you doing this? You could

have gotten a lawyer for visitation.”

“He is my son’s child, and I have every right to see him! I won’t let that little slut keep me from him.”

The sound of sirens in the distance reached him, and he smiled. “You won’t have to worry about Dani keeping Noah away from you. A judge and a jail cell will.”

To his surprise, Camila unzipped the front pocket of the suitcase and crammed the gun in. As she was slipping it under the bed, Tyler took the moment to run to the other side of the bed, opposite Camila.

Tyler’s heart hammered, as he expected Camila to snatch Noah before he could, but she didn’t make a move. As Tyler picked Noah up, cradling the tiny child against his chest, he breathed in Noah’s sweet scent and almost sighed aloud in relief. His eyes pricked as he realized how scared he’d been that he’d never hold Noah again. He hadn’t just tracked Noah down for Dani.

He couldn’t imagine his life without the kid.

“I’ve got you now, buddy. You’re safe.”

Watching Camila suspiciously, he edged toward the open doorway, but she didn’t move, just watched him like a hawk.

He climbed down the stairs two at a time as he heard the front door burst open. “Sacramento Police Department!”

“Don’t shoot,” Tyler yelled from the last step. “I’m Sergeant Tyler Best, United States Marine Corps, and I have Noah Hill.”

Several officers stepped into view, their weapons drawn.

“I think he’s been drugged,” Tyler said.

“Help me!” Camila screamed behind him. “That man is kidnapping my grandson! He threatened me!”

Tyler gritted his teeth as the officers tensed at her accusation. When Camila came into view, he could see their gazes turning suspicious as they looked between him and Camila, the hysterically crying woman.