21. Ford
21
FORD
I pull the covers up to Asher’s neck, bending down to kiss his forehead. It’s an action I used to do all the time for my Lyla. I don’t think I realized how much I had missed it until this moment. I wonder if Grace might be open to having more kids in the future. I’m getting older, but one more to spoil wouldn’t be a bad thing. I shake the thoughts away because I know I need to get Grace back and somehow win her over and agree not to kick me to the curb first. That’s not going to be easy. I’m fully aware of that.
“You promise you’re going to bring Mommy home soon?” Asher asks me.
I let out a sigh. I didn’t want him to know his mother had been kidnapped. Unfortunately, I forgot how little kids have big ears. He overheard me talking with Grunt and it took me hours to calm him down and reassure him I’d bring his mom home. I can see tonight that although he’s calmer, he is still very worried. I’m not exactly sure how to handle this. It has been a while since I’ve been in charge of a small child. I’m afraid I’m screwing everything up.
I’ve had Asher for two days. It has been two days of happiness because he’s a great kid, but also it has been filled with stress, worry, and frustration as I wait for Ivan to call me back. At the moment, poor Asher’s staring up at me with eyes that look so much like his mom’s. They’re shining with unshed tears. He’s trying so hard to be strong. It’s going to take him a long time to get over this. Hell, he might always worry from here on out. That’s yet another thing that Benny Martelli needs to suffer for.
“Hey, I promised you I’d bring your momma home, didn’t I?”
Asher nods his head, sniffling quietly. I let my hand slide against the side of his face tenderly. “Buddy, I promise I’m going to bring your momma home. I already have people out there finding her, and the minute I know, I’m getting her. That’s a promise.”
“You like my mommy? Like she was your girlfriend, I mean.”
“I do. She’s very important to me, Asher. You both are.”
“I’m scared,” he whispers, as if he’s ashamed.
“It’s okay to be afraid. Everyone gets scared, Asher.”
“You don’t.”
“I do. I’m worried right now because I want you and your mom with me. I get scared I won’t be able to do that because it’s so important. That’s why I called in all of my friends and we’re all working together to bring your mom home safely to us.”
“Your friends?”
“Exactly. I have the best people in the world all working together, and I know that we’re going to bring your mom back.”
“Do you promise, Ford?”
“I promise. Now, do you know what else I know about your mom?”
“What?” he asks.
“If she finds out you’ve been crying over her, she’ll be upset. Your mom is very strong. She’ll be fine and when she gets here, she’ll want to know you’re okay.”
“I’ll be better. You really think your friends can find my mommy?”
“I do. They do this kind of thing all the time. They’re like … real life superheroes,” I invent. I don’t add that instead of powers, they’re trained in torture and getting information others can’t.
“Superheroes?” he repeats, his eyes going large with wonder.
“Exactly,” I tell him with a big grin. “So, you go to sleep and I’m going to check in with them and work on bringing your mommy home.”
“Thank you, Ford,” he says, sitting up suddenly and wrapping his arms around my neck. “I love you.”
Emotion hits me and I try to swallow it down. “I love you, too, little man. I love you, too.”
I close my eyes and cradle the little boy close. He has a piece of my heart as big as the one his mother seems to have taken without even trying. Hell, she probably doesn’t even want me at this point. Somehow, though, I will win her over. As he lays back down against his pillows, I can’t stop myself from ruffling his hair.
“Will you lay here with me Ford, just until I fall asleep? I’m not a little kid. I just …,” he sighs, moving his fingers through the cover and avoiding looking at me. “I miss my mom.”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you would let me stay with you for a few minutes for that very reason. I miss her, too,” I tell him.
I tuck him in and lay beside him on the bed, thankful the room has a double bed. Asher curls into me and I hold him, sliding my hand back and forth on his back, trying to reassure him. I actually expected it to take hours before he let sleep claim him, but I can tell within thirty minutes or so that his breathing has evened out.
I slowly extricate myself from the bed, kiss Asher’s temple. I put a pillow to his back, hoping he will think I’m still there with him. I carefully step outside the room, closing the door as quietly as I can.
When I got Asher, I moved us into the hotel that the Saints own. There’s more security here, and it just seemed a better choice. I don’t think Grace would approve of her son living in the Saints Outlaws clubhouse. I have people watching her house, too, and although no one has come around, I don’t think it’s smart to bring Asher back there. I need to shield and protect him. I can’t risk Grace’s ex getting his hands on the boy. So, I talked to Hangman and rented out a three-bedroom suite here. It has worked out well. Lyla and Thomas are in the master bedroom with baby Tasmin. I actually have the smallest of the bedrooms, but that’s fine. I don’t need much. I just want to find Grace. I don’t think I will be able to truly sleep until that happens. I make it across the hall to my room and fall down on the bed. I throw my hands over my eyes and try to get control of the worries that are plaguing me. I can’t handle letting anxiety take over. I will find Grace. I just need to remain diligent. I close my eyes and immediately Grace’s beautiful face comes to mind. I let it soothe me and I’m close to sleep myself when my cell rings. I pull it out of my pocket, reading the caller ID. Ivan. I answer it at once, praying that he has good news.
“This is Ford.”
“It’s Ivan. I’m sorry it’s taken a bit. I had my people scour through the footage for information that might help you.”
I scrub the side of my face as I wait for him. He responds at once.
“We’ve uncovered that Benny hasn’t reached out directly to the Korslova duo. Still, my guys have done their research. There’s a safe house in Middle Creek, close to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It’s listed in some of the properties under Dimitri and Dominic’s name. That’s likely where Martelli is holed up. I’m texting you the address now.”
“Thanks, Ivan. If I can help in any way?—”
“I accept your marker. I wish you luck on getting your woman back. Word on the street is that Martelli is the lowest sort of scum.”
“He’ll be dead scum when I find him. Thanks again.”
“Anytime. I don’t have many hard limits, but hurting an innocent woman is one.”
I grunt in reply, but Ivan has already hung up. I immediately spring out of the bed and almost jog to the bedroom that Lyla and T are using. I knock, briefly worried that I might wake my granddaughter up. Still, I’m not waiting another minute. I need to get to Grace. I’m already sick to my stomach thinking about her being alone and unprotected against that asshole.
T comes to the door after a minute or so. I don’t even give him time to speak. “We need to load up,” I tell him, turning away as I take out my phone to call Grunt.
“What’s going on?”
“Ivan Levkin gave me a lead on Grace. The Korslovas have a safe house just outside of Pigeon Forge. There’s a very good chance Grace is there.”
“I’ll get dressed and make sure Lyla keeps an eye on Asher,” he says.
“I’m going to call hotel security and beef it up, making sure no one gets in this room while we’re gone,” I tell him, knowing he’s as worried about my daughter’s safety as I am.
“Asher and I will be fine. You guys just hurry and bring back my new mom,” Lyla says.
I turn around to look at her, smiling while shaking my head. “I love you, Butterfly.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
“W-What about me?” T asks. He doesn’t really show his stutter much at all anymore. It’s just here and there. It makes me proud of him.
“You already know how much I love you,” she whispers. I nod my head as I dial Grunt’s number. I’m glad Lyla and T have worked out all their issues. All I ever wanted for my daughter was for her to find love and be happy. I had my doubts about T—especially considering how the two of them got together. Still, they’ve worked out their issues and one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life is watch the love the two of them share strengthen. That’s one thing I’ve never had—and it’s what I want with Grace.
When Grunt answers my call, I give him the address that Ivan texted and explain what I need from him. He’s going to get men together and meet me about a mile from the house. We need the element of surprise. I can’t let anything screw this up. I’m too worried that this will be our last chance to get her back. I just finish texting the address to Grunt so he has it to use in his navigation app on his phone when T comes out, pulling a clean shirt down over his torso. He leans down and kisses my daughter, telling her he loves her and will update her when he can. Lyla kisses him and then hugs me, while also giving me a reassuring smile. “Make them sorry they messed with our family, Dad.”
“You know it, Butterfly,” I promise, kissing her forehead before T and I head out. I’m not a praying man, but if I was, I’d send one up right now. I need for my woman to be alright. If she’s not, I’m going to unleash hell on the Korslova Brothers. I’ll make them sorry they were ever born.