Page 37 of Echoes of Danger
“I have someone coming to clean up this mess,” King says, pointing at the dead officer. “Don’t worry. It’s all by the books. But our names will be left out. As for this one,” King nods toward Mark, whose face pales deathly white. “Let’s take him to Hotel King. I have toys there that I want to introduce to him. By the time I’m through with you, boy, you’ll be begging me to let you talk.”
“I’ll talk now,” he cries out.
“You’ll lie.”
I ignore the rest of the conversation and focus on my inner turmoil. I want nothing more than to run out of this damn building and to find Freckles. But I know I need to focus.
“I need to call Eli,” I say. “Tell Knox I need a secure line.”
“I’ll let him know now,” Ghost says. “Listen, brothers, Blaze is trying his best to keep it together for the ones he’s protecting, but Steel is his other half. He’s on edge. He’ll be fine, though. Snow, Dove, Eli, Knox, and Baby Butterfly are all still under his protection. He won’t let them down. Just wanted you to know. Anyway, I just messaged Knox. He’ll contact you in five.”
The weight of Ghost’s words hangs heavy in the room. Blaze and Steel, twins so close they might as well share the same heartbeat. Blaze might be keeping his composure for now, but with Steel in Harvey’s hands, I know he’s barely hanging on.
I nod, grounding myself in the grim task at hand. “King, get this scumbag to your little playground,” I say, casting a hard look at Mark. “And make it hurt. I want every damn detail he’s hiding about his father’s operations.”
King’s smile is sharp and predatory. “Oh, don’t worry. We’re going to make him sing.”
But even as I try to focus on our next moves, my mind keeps slipping back to Delphi. My Freckles, out there somewhere,possibly terrified and hurt. I clench my fists until my knuckles go white, willing myself to keep it together. If I lose it now, I won’t be any use to her or Steel.
“I need that line to Eli,” I say, a tight edge in my voice. “He needs to know what’s happened.”
Ghost replies, “Knox is setting it up. He’ll be in touch any minute now. Blaze knows Delphi and Steel are gone, but I think the gravity of what Harvey might do hasn’t fully set in. He’ll keep his head straight, for everyone’s sake.” Ghost hesitates, then adds, “But you should know, Reynolds, if Blaze starts to feel Steel slipping away… he’s not gonna hold back. He might do something drastic.”
Even though Ghost can’t see me, I still nod my agreement. I’ve never felt such rage and worry before. So, I’m right there with him.
I grip the burner phone in my hand, willing it to ring. Paston already knows where we are, but I don’t want to take the chance of them tracing a call right back to the rest of my family. So, my phone remains off.
The burner phone buzzes in my hand, and I rush to answer it.
“Reynolds, tell me something only I would know so that I know it’s really you,” Knox says. “Otherwise, you’re not talking to anyone.”
“Fuck, Knoxy,” I sigh. “Uhm, okay, when you were having trouble leaving the house on your own, I tried to help you feel safe by telling you how to find my house through the trail beside Taylor’s. When you went to take the trail to hide from the man who betrayed us, you hid by climbing a tree.”
“The whole club knows that,” he whispers. “Which means anyone could know. But okay. Love you, Reynolds. She’s going to be okay. They both are.”
“Love you back, Knoxy,” I smile. “And I know they will. Steel will fillet anyone who tries to hurt her.”
“That he will,” I hear Blaze say, his voice far firmer and more emotionless than I’ve ever heard. “Your Pa’s on the phone, boy. Come and reassure him that you and your sister are safe.”
I feel a sense of relief flood through me as I hear confirmation that my kids are okay. Despite everything he’s been through, I know my boy will hold it together for Jessica, keeping her safe while we sort this mess out. He’s stronger than he knows, and right now, that strength is what’s keeping me from unraveling.
I press the phone to my ear, my tone softening, though the intensity doesn’t leave. “Eli, it’s me. You good, son? Your sister? No one’s come near you?”
Eli’s voice is solid and steady. “We’re fine, Pa. Blaze has the place locked down. No one’s getting within a mile of us without him knowing. But... Ma…”
Hearing the worry in his voice tightens something in my chest, and I force myself to respond evenly. “We’re going to get her back, Eli. She’s stronger than you think, and Steel’s with her. You just stay put and keep your sister safe. Help Blaze keep you all safe.”
There’s a moment of silence, and I know he’s gathering himself. Then, in a voice laced with determination, Eli replies, “I’m ready to help however I can. Don’t leave me in the dark on this, Pa. I know I’m young, but she’s my Ma.”
I let out a shaky breath, proud but conflicted. “I know, son. But right now, you’re doing exactly what I need you to do. Keep your head up, and stay strong for your little Butterfly. That’s how you help us the most. Can you do that?”
“Yeah,” he says, voice softer. “Yeah, I’ll do it. Just… bring her back. Bring them both back. We love you, Pa.”
“Love you both,” I respond around the knot in my throat.
The line goes silent, and I let the phone drop from my ear, the weight of my son’s words pressing heavily on me.
“You still there, brother?” I hear Blaze says through the phone.