10. Ricky

TEN

Ricky

Margot rips the door open. “Well, well. You’re mighty chipper this morning! Can I blame you for the fact that Caro didn’t show up to meet Louise and I the other night?”

I glare at her. “Maybe you should just stop worrying about meddling with Caro and I and find something else to keep you busy this holiday! Maybe Jace needs some help with a girl?”

I should get my ass kicked for throwing my buddy under the bus but I need granny to stay out of the middle of this mess. Especially if there’s something about Angel and her troubles that is causing issues for my girl and her boy.

Fear and possessive energy rips through me and I almost growl out loud. Nobody is going to threaten what’s mine and although Caro and I still have things to work out, she’ll always be mine. Her and Christopher.

Margot snorts out loud. “That boy has entirely too much luck with the ladies! Trust me, he doesn’t need any help with the fair sex.” Her eyes study me closely. “Unlike you, my boy!”

I run my fingers through my hair and glare at her. “Do yourself a favor and stay out of this one. Caro and I are doing just fine. We’ll figure things out.”

She purses her lips and her brown eyes sparkle. “Well, we’ll see. Knowing how you two work, I’m sure you’ll manage to screw it up, so I’ll make sure and keep an eye on things.”

Then she stomps out the door and I groan, sucking in a breath before I take another huge sip of coffee. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna need way more than just one cup of coffee to deal with whatever she’s planning.

A grin tilts my lips when I think about Christopher and the snowball fight.

It’s been a long time since I’ve just let loose and had some innocent fun. After Vera I wasn’t sure that I ever could.

The smile fades and I sit down at the table. I wish that I hadn’t gotten wrapped up in that woman. She made a mess out of my life and screwed me over so bad that I wouldn’t look at any woman for a long time.

Until Caro. I still don’t know what it is about her but something tells me that she’s mine. Like she’s branded on my soul.

I stand up and put my mug down, getting my coat out and slipping it on. I’m about to put my heavy leather work gloves on when my phone rings.

I pick it up. “Hello.”

“Hey, man. It’s Jace.”

“I know that. Did you find out anything?”

“You sure are a surly son of a bitch in the morning! How about a good morning or a how ya doing?”

“How about a I’m gonna kick your ass if you don’t start talking?”

“Jesus! Love makes most guys happy but it just makes you more of a pain in the ass!”

“Just tell me what you found out, asshole!” I huff.

“Okay. The sister is in Las Vegas. She’s a complete pain in the ass.” He pauses. “Kinda reminds me of someone else I know.” I huff again and he sighs.

“Fine. She’s been shot. I don’t know yet how or why but she’s in protective custody.”

“Fuck!” I groan and run my hands through my hair and put my head back. “What the hell is going on?”

“I think it has to do with an ex of this Angel. He sounds like he’s connected. Works with a mafia family. From what I understand, they’re looking for him too so he must have really screwed up. I’m guessing Angel saw or heard something and that’s why he wants her dead. Your girl apparently came here when her sister called in a panic. She was actually here when Angel got shot. She was shot as well. She was pregnant and lost the child because of it. She wasn’t very far along though.” He pauses. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that.”

My girl was shot along with her sister. That’s how she lost the baby and that’s why she won’t tell me what happened. Her sister’s problems are the catalyst for everything that’s happened since she left me.

“Hello? You still there?”

I take a deep breath and try to push the longing and anger down. I want that baby with her. I want that life that was taken away from both of us and if I ever find out what asshole shot her, I might hunt him down and kill him with my own bare hands.

“I’m still here. Where are you?”

“I’m still here in Vegas but I think we’ve got a slight problem.”

I sit up and fear rockets through me. “What problem?”

“Angel got away from her handlers last night. One of them is coming back with me to Hamilton. She’s pretty sure that that’s where she’s gone. She’s heading back there and if that guy finds out about it…”

“He’s gonna follow her right here to Caro and Christopher,” I breathe, ice skating along my spine. “I’ve got to talk to Caro.”

“Yeah. I don’t think you can avoid this any longer. It seems like it’s heading right for you and her.”

“I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up on him mid-sentence and pull my gloves on, pushing my hat down on my head. “This is it, Caro. There’ s no more time to let you come to me.”

She’s got to come home with me. I need to keep her safe. I’ve already lost enough. I’m not losing her and Christopher.

I’ll kill a motherfucker first.