Chapter 15
Jacob took the lighterfrom her. “We need to get help.”
“You go get help.” She took the lighter back and shoved it in her skirt pocket. “I’m finding Gage.”
She started looking at the windows along the base of the house. There had to be another way in. “Or maybe I’ll just use the front door.”
“Wait.” Jacob grabbed her arm and prevented her from going around the house, toward the front. “You can’t—”
“I can.” She hesitated before saying, “I need to tell you a secret. You can’t admit it to anyone. Gage is going to be furious, but you have to know.”
“Know what?”
“What your grandfather was up to.” She took a deep breath and told Jacob about Caleb working with the Special Agents.
Jacob’s face paled, and he ran a hand over his eyes before saying, “I’ll help. But we will need back-up if Damian and his crew are involved.”
“What kind of help?”
Jacob held up his phone and dialed. “Mr. Elmer? We need you.”
While Jacob asked Mr. Elmer to call the Milltown police, she went back to searching the dark and locked windows. Gage was in that house. She knew it.
“Thanks.” Jacob shoved his phone in his pocket. “Follow me. I’ll get you into that house, but you will do everything I tell you too. Got it?”
She nodded. “Where do we begin?”
* * *
Gage woke up with ablazing headache. Where was he?
He was on a floor with his hands zip-tied behind his back. His ankles were zip-tied as well. At least he wasn’t blind-folded or gagged.
Shit.The memories of the red-bearded biker, and his fat fist, rushed back.
He softened his breaths and listened to the noises of the house. From what he could see, he was on the floor of a second-floor bedroom. A life-sized mannequin dressed as Freddy Krueger sat in a chair, near the window. On the bed, someone had placed two skeletons next to each other. It appeared as if they were having sex.
The situation would be funny if it wasn’t so dangerous.
He had to get out of there before Ryan and the bikers returned. He’d no doubt that the drugs were somewhere in this house, probably in that safe. And from the weapons he’d noticed downstairs, before his knock-out, they were probably also running AK-47s.
He scooted across the floor, toward the door. Luckily, this house used old doorstops. Although his dentist wouldn’t approve, he used his teeth to remove the rubber end, exposing the sharp metal tip. He turned around and twisted his shoulders until the zip tie around his wrist met the sharp metal point.
It didn’t take long to break his bonds, and then he did the same thing with the ankle ties.
Male voices came from down the hallway, and he opened the door. When the hallway was clear, he headed toward another bedroom in search of a weapon.
* * *
Lily followed Jacobup to the kitchen. They’d found an open window leading into a very gross and scary sub-basement. Thank goodness Jacob was with her, because they then followed a maze of other basement rooms until finding the staircase and the safe.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have Satya or Mark’s phone numbers. She just had to hope Mr. Elmer would be bringing help sooner rather than later.
“Wait.” Jacob opened the door leading into the kitchen and listened. “I think it’s clear.”
They made their way through the kitchen, down a hallway, and into a parlor with sparse furniture, except for a witch mannequin sitting in a rocking chair.
“There’s nothing here.”
Jacob released a deep breath. “Let’s go upstairs.”
When they entered the large foyer, a man appeared from the room across from her. The red-bearded biker stared at her, probably as stunned to see her as she was to see him.
“Lily!” Jacob grabbed her arm and pulled her down, just as she heard a shot. Something whizzed by, and he rolled them both closer to the parlor. He made sure to cover her body with his.
Gunshots?
Loud voices erupted, and Ryan yelled, “Kill him.”
It was hard to see, because Jacob was on top, smothering her. But she heard more screams, more shots, and lots of loud thumps. Suddenly, Jacob was gone and she could breathe again.
Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her up. Before she could catch a breath, Ryan wrapped his arm around her neck and held a gun to her temple.
“Release her.” Gage’s harsh voice rang out in the hollow air.
Ryan’s guttural laugh made her skin crawl. “No.”
Gage stood on the upper landing, and she held her breath as he slowly made his way down the stairs. His wide chest moved in and out, and his biceps rippled with every movement. He pointed his gun at Ryan.
Gage appeared powerful and in charge, not at all worried or stressed.
That’s when she noticed at least six bikers around her, one of whom was holding Jacob at gunpoint.
“You’re going to let Lily and Jacob go.” Gage came down another step, his gun steady.
“I’m not.” Ryan’s sour breath burned her neck. “You’re outnumbered, Gage. Like I told Damian, the cartel is so much bigger than all of us. So much bigger than the MC. And now that you know, you’ll never be free. Like Caleb was never free.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” Gage laughed harshly and came down two more steps. “I spent twenty years in the army, most of that as a ranger, fighting in places you’ve never even heard of. You don’t know what scary is because you’ve never left Kingsmill. You’ve never seen Hell. Whereas I used to live there.”
The pain in his voice made her heart hurt. She’d never given much thought to what he’d done in the army—just that he’d been stationed somewhere and was probably doing stuff. She’d never wanted to know, to understand the dangers the world had to offer.
She was just grateful that men like Gage were willing to fight on her behalf.
“You’re just like Caleb.” Ryan tightened his hold on her neck. “A bully and a coward.”
“You’re wrong.” She tried to kick Ryan, but he pressed the gun closer to her temple. “Go ahead, Lily. Try it.”
“Don’t tempt me.” She used her good hand to pull on the arm around her neck.
“Don’t fight him,” Gage ordered in a steady voice.
When she met his gaze, he made a slight downward motion with his chin. Then he gave her his evil smile.
It took her a minute, but then she realized he was asking her to trust him again. That he had a plan. And she smiled back in agreement.
Gage made it to the bottom step and stepped closer. At this aggressive move, Ryan pointed his weapon at Gage.
That’s when she twisted just enough to hit Ryan’s chin with her cast.
His gun went off, above all their heads, and she and Ryan fell to the floor. The front door blew open and armed police officers flooded the foyer.
“Lily!” Gage ran over, swooped her up, and carried her outside.
Jacob followed, and the three of them ended up in the front yard, beneath a hawthorn tree.
Mr. Elmer, who was on the sidewalk with a group of older men, ran over. He was panting, and his face turned red. “Are you okay?”
Gage set her down. When her legs buckled, he kept his arm around her shoulder. “We are now.” He motioned to the line of police and SWAT officers running into the house. “What happened?”
Mr. Elmer nodded at Lily. “Lily told us all about the Special Agents.” He shook his head and clucked his tongue. “I’m not surprised this is all Caleb’s doing. He always ran with the wrong crowd.”
She met Gage’s surprised gaze. Then she turned toward Jacob.
Mr. Elmer returned to his buddies from the VFW Hall, probably to share the story of how he saved Gage Mosby.
She hit Jacob in the stomach with her cast. “You weren’t supposed to tell anyone.”
“Neither were you.” Gage took her unhurt hand and kissed it. “Classified and secret means just that. I can’t believe you blabbed.”
She took the lighter out of her pocket and handed it to him. “You’re the one who got yourself kidnapped.”
“I wasn’t kidnapped.” Gage puffed out his chest. “I was on the case.”
Their laughter hit her as strange because they’d just come through a harrowing experience. But maybe jokes were the best way to process difficult, conflicting emotions. The more she joked with the men, the less nauseous she felt.
“Nice gun.” Jacob nodded toward the weapon Gage held against his thigh. “Looks familiar.”
Gage handed it over. “I’m just grateful you store it in the safe, in Caleb’s old room, and never changed the combination.”
“Wait?” She frowned at Jacob. “That’s your gun?”
His grin was wider than the river that ran through town. “Yep.”
“Mine is somewhere in that house,” Gage said wistfully.
She rested her head against Gage’s shoulder. “Here come Mark and Satya.” She motioned to the tall man and tiny woman who were running in their direction. “Do we have to tell them that Jacob blabbed?”
Jacob scoffed. “You blabbed first, Aunt Lily.”
“Hey.” She raised her cast again. “I’m only a few years older than you are.”
“I’ll take care of this.” Gage kissed her head and nodded at Jacob. “This should be over soon. I don’t see why we can’t have our fireworks tonight. I think we deserve them.”
“I don’t want to leave you.” She grabbed his T-shirt. “I’ll stay and confess.”
“No.” He brushed a finger down her cheek. “Go with Jacob. I’ll be there soon. Do you trust me?”
She stood on her toes and kissed him. “Always.”
* * *
Hours later, long afterthe sun went down, Lily sat within the circle of Gage’s strong arms and watched the fireworks explode in a dazzling display overhead. There was no moon tonight, so the bright colors were a contrast to the dark sky. A burst of happiness to dispel the sadness.
She released a sigh of contentment and exhaustion. And she hated to admit that her arm ached, along with other, special parts of her body. But, right now, in this place, with this man, she couldn’t have been happier.
Apparently, when Mr. Elmer called the Milltown police department, he’d also contacted every federal agency—thanks to Jacob’s blabbing—and told them that Ben’s shooter was in Mosby House.
She wasn’t sure why Mr. Elmer had said that, but then Gage mentioned it could be true. Gage had even found bullet casing behind Mosby House that was currently being analyzed. If it was a match, it’s possible the shooter had been involved with Ryan’s crew and the MC.
She’d also figured out that when Gage had picked up that casing and shoved it into his pocket, he’d lost his lighter.
One surprising thing was that Damian hadn’t been involved with Ryan’s dealings with the cartel. In fact, during the raid, he’d been in the MC’s clubhouse in Ravensburg, VA, playing online video games with ten other men.
“Happy?” Gage’s breath tickled her ear.
“Extremely.” She nestled in closer, as if trying to bury herself in his embrace. “I need to tell you something. I’ve made a decision.”
He kissed her head. “What decision?”
“I’m leaving Le Mistral. I’m not returning to Paris.”
She heard the hitch in his breath. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” She laughed beneath her breath. “I don’t know why I never realized this before, but I belong to this town. I have a house I love.” She turned to meet his surprised gaze. “And since that house frees up my savings, I’ve decided to buy Harry’s coffee shop when he retires. I’m going to turn it into a French café.”
His gaze softened, and he brushed her lips with his thumb. “Are you sure, Lils? That’s a huge decision.”
“I am.” The moment she said the words, she felt them in her heart. This was her home now. This is where she wanted to be. “It can’t hurt that I’m dating the mayor who also owns the adjoining building. I’m sure he can help me with the permits and such.”
Now that she’d helped Gage keep one of the promises he’d made to Caleb, she wasn’t sure where they stood romantically. But it was time to take a leap and trust that her love for him would find a way.
“I don’t know what to say.” His voice sounded low and hoarse, almost like he was choking.
“There’s one more thing.”
He laughed and choked at the same time. “What’s that?”
“Now that I’ve helped you find your safe, can I help you with the other endeavor Caleb entrusted you with?” She twisted to meet his gaze. “The one about making your nephews happy? I’m just not sure what’s involved with that.”
Nana Ruthie appeared, along with Harry and Mr. Elmer. Without asking, they placed a blanket next to Lily. Then they had the audacity to sit down without asking.
“Have you told her yet?” Nana Ruthie asked Gage.
“Not yet.” He glanced at Lily. “I’m not sure she’s ready.”
She winced. “Please don’t talk about me in the third person.”
“Go ahead,” Mr. Elmer pulled a cookie out his sweater pocket and ate it. “I love Lotto’s gingerbread cookies.”
Lily nodded. She’d had one earlier, and it had been delicious.
“Just get it over with, Gage.” Harry sat back, stretched out his legs, and stared up at the fireworks. “Then we can work on Saturday’s event.”
She pulled out of Gage’s arms and faced him. “Tell me. I still have one good hand left.”
He took her unhurt hand and kissed her ring finger, above the diamond she still wore. “Caleb was unhappy with the lives his nephews are leading. None of them are married or in long-term relationships. Many of them sleep around, run with the MC, or are drifting.”
“That’s the thing Caleb hated the most,” Nana Ruthie said. “The drifting that leads to nowhere.”
“So true,” Harry said.
Mr. Elmer nodded in agreement.
“Okay,” Lily said in a steady voice that hid her frustration. “You don’t want the Mosby men to sleep around or drift. What does that have to do with any of you? What does that have to do with your plan to make them happy?”
“Because,” Gage squeezed her hand, “Caleb asked us to do something about their bad behavior.”
“I don’t understand. They’re not children.” She shook her head for emphasis. “Do what?”
“Matchmake, of course.” Nana Ruthie scoffed as if Lily were the silliest thing in the world. “We”—she motioned to Gage, Mr. Elmer, and Harry—“are committed to helping the next generation of Mosby men find their happily ever afters.”
“This endeavor of Caleb’s is a matchmaking scheme.” She stared at Gage, wondering if her eyes looked as wide as they felt. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Harry nodded toward Jacob, who sat yards away on a blanket with Paula Burkett. Yet his attention kept straying to Clara who was nearby, with her daughter Georgie. “What do you think, Nana Ruthie?”
“Jacob is next on the list.” Nana Ruthie looked at Gage. “This business with Paula has been going on for too long.”
“I agree,” Gage said.
“Wait.” Lily sat up straighter and gave them all her best scolding stare. “This is wrong. It’s ridiculous.”
“Why is it wrong?” Nana Ruthie pointed at Lily’s ring. “You’re happy, aren’t you?”
She held up her ring finger. “This isn’t real.”
Gage stared at her with a questioning gaze. Then she realized Harry, Nana Ruthie, and Mr. Elmer were completely focused on her as well.
She scrunched her nose as a realization bloomed in her heart. “Is this real?”
“Do you want it to be real?” Gage’s voice was loaded with hope and eagerness.
“Of course I do.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, I would love to get married.” She bit her tongue and whispered, “Wouldn’t you?”
He smiled and pulled her onto his lap. “Lily Dunmore, I have loved you for most of my life. Of course I want to marry you.”
Then his lips met hers for long, lingering kiss.
“Nana Ruthie?” Mr. Elmer’s voice cut through the haze that clouded Lily’s head. “Saturday night? Plan B?”
“Absolutely,” Harry said. “I’ve already ordered the cake.”
“I’ve got Pastor Mike all set to go,” Nana Ruthie said.
Lily broke away from Gage with a low, “Just a sec.” Then she turned on the three busybodies sitting next to her. “What are you three talking about?”
Nana Ruthie was looking up at the sky, as the fireworks finale began. “Nothing to worry about, dear. We’re just planning your wedding.”
“On Saturday,” Harry said. “That was Caleb’s plan all along. Right, Gage?”
Lily turned back toward Gage. Instead of questioning him, she waited until he lowered his lips to hers again.
“Yes, Harry,” Gage whispered before he kissed her. “That was Caleb’s plan all along.”