Chapter Thirty-Four #2
“Sophia doesn’t want to run anymore. She wants to face this head on and end it with her head held high.” I stop pacing, running my hands through my hair.“I need to get Sophia home.”
Pops puts his hand on my forearm, stopping me from running out. “Please be smart, son. Keep that girl safe, but also keep yourself safe. Let’s not forget that Hugh still has a hit out on my son too.”
“Don’t worry, Pops. I’ve got this.”
At least I hope I do.
Kane's name flashes across my phone.
Kane: Got something. Meet us at the station? I'm in your office.
Me: Yeah, I'll be right there.
I get up from the weight bench where I was trying to release some stress—clearly it didn’t work—to go find Sophia.
“Goddess, I need to go to the station. Kane found something on James. Do you want to come, or do you want me to call Pops?”
“I don't need a babysitter, Wyatt.” She stands with her hands on her hips, almost daring me to make her sit with someone.
“Nope. I’m not even going to entertain that.” I smile at her scowling face. “Your safety is my number one priority. I won’t risk it when we’re getting so close.”
“Fine.” She plops on the couch with a huff. “If I must have a babysitter, then I'd like to stay home. Invite your parents over to watch me.”
Sitting next to her, I pull her hand in mine. “I’m sorry. I’m doing my best to end this for us.”
“It’s not your fault. I get it. I know it too, logically. I’m just so tired of inconveniencing other people to live my life.” Her fingers squeeze mine back.
“I’m going to go change. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No thank you.”
I nod because it absolutely kills me to see her trapped in the house until we can catch James. Hopefully whatever Kane found brings us one step closer to doing that.
Me: Hey, I’ve got to run into the station, Kane has some information for me. Can you and Mom come over?
Pops: Of course. Be there in five.
Throwing on my uniform and brushing my teeth, I run back downstairs as quickly as I can.
Pops and Mom are already here, sitting with Sophia. I listen as her and Mom plan what to do with everything that's in the basement for the baby. Seeing her smile while they talk lessens a little bit of the guilt I feel at leaving.
“Thank you for coming so quick,” I say, hurrying down the hallway.
Mom greets me first. “Of course, baby.”
“I'm sorry to run, but I've got to go meet them. Hoping we can finish this and go find this asshole.”
Sophia gets up to walk with me to my truck like she does every time I go to work. I toss a wave to my parents and follow her down.
“Do you really think that you'll be able to get James today?”
My heart sinks at her question.
Why did I fill her head with false hope?
Pulling her to me, I tuck her into my side. “I hope so. But I really don't know what Kane found.”
“Promise you’ll call me as soon as you know?”
“Absolutely.” Kissing her lips, I let her go and climb into my cruiser. “I'll call you as soon as I’m done talking to them. I love you. I'm trying my best to give you your life back.”
“You're my life now, Officer Keaton. I just want my independence while you're at work.”
“I know. I'm trying, Goddess. I want you to have that too. I miss our runs.”
She giggles. “You just miss staring at my ass while I beat you in a race.”
Shrugging my shoulders only makes her laugh harder.
“I'll see you soon, Goddess,” I say as I back out of the garage.
She waves at me until I can't see her in my rearview anymore.
Me: On my way.
Kane: Good. You're either going to love me or hate me.
Five minutes later, I run into my office, hoping that Adam is either home or on patrol. Anywhere but in this building.
Throwing my office door open, both Kane and Chief stare at me. Chief has a big smile on his face.
“Fill me in. What did you find?”
“First, daddy—” Chief says with a smirk “—congratulations on your new bundle of joy coming. Secondly, we found him. I sent Adam to get him.”
I freeze. “Adam? You trust him with this?”
“That's the beauty of it all. This idiot decided to camp on state forest land and light a campfire. The park ranger saw the smoke and called us around the same time I clocked him and a new stolen car going into the park through the traffic cameras,” Kane tells me.
Chief jumps in to add, “So Adam thinks he’s just going to get an idiot starting an illegal fire.”
“Can I just reiterate my question? You trust Adam with this?” I raise a brow. Because I one hundred percent do not.
“He was given specific instructions to arrest him so I could make a point with the tourists who like to ignore the laws. He understood.”
“If you say so, Chief. I'll trust your judgement.” For now. Until I can say I told you so.
“About fucking time you do.” He shakes his head, and Kane laughs.
“You sound like my brother when he forces me to do something he knows I think is a bad idea.” Kane rolls his eyes.
From down the hall, the booking door opens, and Adam's annoying whistling follows.
All three of us step out from my office to see Adam… alone.
“Son, I know you were given very simple instructions to arrest that man and bring him in.” Chief puts his hands on his hips and stares Adam down as he walks towards us.