Page 83 of Keeping Guard

“His dead son. That’s how he knows she didn’t leave willingly.”

“Shit.”

“You got that right.” Noah gave himself a few seconds to let the rage burn through him, then he locked it away. Like any mission, he had to have a clear head and a plan for a successful completion. When he found the son of a bitch, he’d free the rage and rain it down on the man.

“You mentioned getting trackers. Did you?”

“Affirmative. One she wears in her bra and one in her purse. And she better have them on her.” Otherwise, he was going to paddle her pretty ass when he found her. He pulled up the app he’d put on his phone. “I also have an app to track her phone.”

“I’m calling Deke.”

“No. He’ll have to report it and then SWAT will get involved since it’s a hostage situation. That could end up being a shitstorm, especially if her ex has a weapon, and I think there’s a good chance of that. There’s no way Peyton would have willingly gone with him.”

He knew the man was getting desperate. Had told Peyton so. This was on him. He never should have left her side.

“Okay, guess it’s you and me.” Jack squeezed his shoulder.

“You’re not invited on this operation, Whiskey. I don’t promise I won’t end up in jail when I’m finished with the asshole. You don’t need to be involved. Nichole would never forgive me if you ended up in the cell next to me.”

Jack snorted. “I’m inviting myself. Besides, I already have a cell with my name on it. It’ll be like old home week.” At Noah’s raised brows, Jack said, “Story for another time. Let’s find your woman.”

“That’s the plan.”

“You seem pretty calm about this.”

“If you think I don’t want to tear the town apart with my bare hands to find her, you’d be dead-ass wrong. Let’s take your truck. You know the area better and that will also free me up to track her.”

“Is there any chance of him hurting her?” Jack asked as he turned the truck onto the highway.

“I don’t think so, and that’s the only thing keeping me calm right now. His only goal is to marry her so he can get access to the brewery. I don’t know how he thinks he can pull that off now that her father has turned on him, but I’m not sure he’s got all his marbles these days.”

“Where to?”

Noah studied the phone screen. “You know where Hendersonville is?”

“Yep. Depending on I-26 traffic, we’re about thirty minutes from there.”

“We need to swing by your house and get—”

“My guns. Already headed there.”

“Look, it would be best if you didn’t come with me.” Jack had a good life going with his girlfriend and the dogs. He didn’t need to risk losing everything if this went south.

“Negative.” He glanced at Noah. “I’ve got your six just like you’d have mine if I needed you.”

True story, so he didn’t try to argue. He’d be wasting his breath. Although he’d understand if Jack opted out of this party, he was glad to have his friend at his back. They were two of the military’s highest trained warriors. The bastard had no clue what was coming for him.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“You’re out of your ever-loving mind. I’m not putting that on.” Peyton stared in horror at the wedding gown...herwedding gown. He’d gone back to the waterfall and fished it out? Had it repaired and cleaned? He was wacked! He had to be on drugs if he thought she was going to put that on and marry him.

Dalton shrugged. “Makes no never mind to me. Thought you’d rather look pretty in your wedding pictures. But if you want to get married in—” he ran a critical gaze over her “—shorts and a T-shirt, you will get married.”

“Get this through your head. I am not marrying you. I’ll refuse.”

“The man marrying us doesn’t give a damn if you refuse, not with the money I’m paying him.”

“It won’t be legal.”