Chapter 19 #2
“All we need is the paperwork for those accounts,” Damon said. “Now turn them over. This is not a negotiation.”
“We don’t have them anymore.” Fletcher shrugged. “And Baily’s not giving up custody of her nephews.”
“You’re not getting my boys,” Julie said. “Besides, these charges won’t stick and my kids will be back where they belong soon enough. But until then, we need those documents, or I’ll put a bullet in this kid’s head.”
Baily shifted his gaze to Fletcher. “Give them what they want,” she managed. She couldn’t let anything happen to Bingo. It didn’t mean she’d stop fighting for her nephews, but this standstill needed to end.
“No,” he said flatly, keeping his gun trained on Damen. “We’re not giving you a damn thing. And you’re not going to shoot him because the moment you do, you lose your leverage—and I put you down.”
Julie’s hand twitched on the gun. “You think you’re in control here? You’re not. You might get a shot off, but my mom, or dad will kill Baily. Is that what you want?”
Fletcher growled. He knew they’d do exactly that, but he had to play the game. “I think I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve faced worse odds and walked away. You kill Bingo, and I guarantee you don’t walk out of this house.”
He needed time. Just a few more minutes to think…to find his way out. There was always an out. These people were desperate. Running on fumes. Backed into a corner with no way out and not thinking too clearly.
Behind Julie, Bingo’s hands flexed. Barely noticeable, but Fletcher caught it. He also caught Bingo’s eye movement. Quick, sharp. The kid was up to something.
Then, he showed a couple of fingers. Damn. He’d worked through part of the bindings. Good kid.
“Ken’s accounts were already turned over to the authorities.
That’s out of our hands, even if we gave you the paperwork, if you tried to funnel money out—without Baily, they’d find you,” Fletcher added.
“You kill us, and they’ll know it was you who did.
We don’t have any other enemies. So, if you want any hope of scraping together your little empire again, you’re going to need someone alive to trade for.
Someone who has the legal authority to touch those funds. ”
“That’s why she’s going to sign it all over.” Julie smiled.
“Over my dead body,” Fletcher said.
Valenia narrowed her eyes. “You’re bluffing.”
“I’m not, but you’re welcome to test me.” Fletcher held Valenia’s gaze.
There was a flicker of doubt in her face. Bingo shifted again. Almost free.
Outside, a creak sounded. A shadow moved across the porch. Fletcher didn’t look. Didn’t need to. Dawson. Hayes. Keaton. He could feel it like the storm rolling in off the Glades.
Bingo made his move.
With a grunt, he lunged sideways, knocking Julie off balance. The gun fired—once—into the ceiling. Fletcher dove left as Dawson kicked the door in, followed by Keaton and Hayes with their weapons drawn.
“Down!” Hayes shouted.
Chaos.
Fletcher tackled Damen. The man threw a punch, but Fletcher absorbed it and drove his shoulder into Damen’s gut, taking him down hard.
Keaton wrestled Valenia to the floor.
Baily dropped behind the island, yelling Bingo’s name.
Julie scrambled for the gun, but Bingo kicked it across the tile.
Logan Sarich came through the back door next, followed by Dylan, both armed and furious.
It was over in less than thirty seconds, but it felt like forever.
Julie was pinned, screaming. Damen coughed up blood. Valenia—unconscious.
Fletcher turned to Bingo—blood ran down the kid’s face. “You good?” he asked.
Bingo nodded. “Better now.”
Fletcher turned and saw Baily rushing toward them.
They met in the center of the chaos, clinging to each other.
“We’re okay,” Fletcher whispered into her hair. “We’re okay.”
Baily held him so tightly he thought he might suffocate, but he didn’t care. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his chest as she cried.
“It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” He glanced over his shoulder as Remy stormed into the house, a little late to the party. Chloe and her old partner, Buddy, were next, followed by a couple of EMTs.
Miranda Rights were read. Cuffs were slapped on wrists, the metallic click piercing the stillness.
He guided Baily outside and down toward the dock, her body limping along next to him. “Are you hurt?”
“I don’t think so,” she managed through mangled sobs.
“Let me check you over.” He stepped away, brushing her hair aside, and did a quick check for bullets, cuts, and other damage. Thankfully, there were none. At least, none on the outside. But he knew it would be a while before Bailey recovered emotionally from this.
He cupped her face and kissed her gingerly. “You’re okay. We’re okay. It’s over.”
“It’s not over for Todd and Chadd,” she whispered. “It’s only just begun for them.” She blinked away a few more tears. “How do I explain all of this to them?”
“Carefully and lovingly.”
The ground under his feet moved. He glanced over his shoulder. Dawson and Bingo made their way across the yard.
Baily was out of his arms in a flash, making a beeline for Bingo.
“Are you okay?” She rushed to Bingo’s side.
“I’m fine,” he said, giving her a big bear hug. “No worse for wear.”
“I’m so sorry.” She gripped the boy’s shoulders.
“It’s not your fault, and in a weird way, it was good practice for me if I’m going to be a SEAL.” Bingo smiled. The kid actually smiled. “And I got to work alongside the men I admire. It was kind of cool even if I was really scared for a minute.”
Dawson chuckled. “I was terrified for longer than that.”
“Fear will keep you alive out there.” Fletcher slapped Bingo on the shoulder. “You’ll make a good sailor and a great SEAL.”
“I hope so.” Bingo nodded. “Four years of college first. That’s the deal I made with the old man.”
“ROTC’s not a bad route to take.” Fletcher gave the kid a bro hug.
“I don’t think I can stay in that house tonight,” Baily said after a beat.
“Audra and I have a room at the B&B. You and Fletcher are welcome to stay with us.” Dawson glanced over his shoulder.
“I better get back there. It’s going to be a long night of dealing with this shit show.
Feds, and all that. Not to mention, Valenia took a bullet.
Might not make it, I’m told. Julie and Damen are bitching about all sorts of bad police work on this, but I’m not worried.
They’re going away for a very long time.
” He sighed. “I do need to take your statements, but we can do that in the morning.”
“We’ll be by at first light.” Fletcher took Baily by the hand and tugged her toward the parking lot.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” In silence, they walked around the side of the house.
He paused by his truck and pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Baily. Whatever happens next, we’re in it together.
No more secrets. No more betrayals. It’s all out there, and we can weather any storm because we have each other. ”
“I think I actually believe that.” She rested her head against his shoulder.
“I just hope after everything, the courts will see we can make a good home for those boys because I’m worried Julie will fight that.
We’ve learned that even convicted felons have rights regarding where their children are placed.
They have other family members. Blood relatives on her side.
It’s not a done deal that we’ll get the kids. ”
“No. It’s not.” Fletcher tilted her chin. “But we have something that most of her family doesn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“A loving home in Calusa Cove.”