Chapter Forty-Three Dare
T hroughout Nick’s wake and funeral, I’d kept right by Ava’s side. Although I’d grieved for Shannon and then my cousin, Rian, who was like my brother, I didn’t know how to reach Ava’s depth of suffering. Nick had been closer than her brothers. He had been there for her when I couldn’t.
His loss would have been overwhelming enough, but when you piled on finding out the truth about her parents and the conflict with Christos, I was amazed she was still standing. But Ava was fierce as hell. Her steadfast strength reminded me of Maeve.
As the graveside service finished, mourners continued coming up to the family. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Piper began back slowly away from the tent. Just as I was about to call her name, a man patted my back. “I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
My gaze flickered over to him. “Thank you,” I replied.
He nodded and moved on to talk to Ava. When I glanced back at Piper, she was running towards the woods. “Piper!”
Pulling away from the crowd, I broke into a sprint. I see a black and white colored puppy that she’s chasing. “Piper, come back!” I called.
At the line of trees, a man stepped out into her path. The sight of a gun in his hands causes my heart to shudder to a stop in my chest. To my horror, she jumped into his willing arms. “PIPER!”
And with my daughter in his arms, the man turned and began to run.
As I crashed into the woods, voices came from behind me. My brothers and our bodyguards. I didn’t stop when they called my name. I just kept pushing on.
After climbing a hill, the treeline melted into a field. A helicopter sat in the middle of it, the whirling blades rippled our clothes and hair. When Niall and Thomas reached my side, they had their weapons drawn. “Don’t fucking shoot. He’s got a gun on Piper’s head.”
When Ava appeared at my side, the man crooked his finger at her. “I’ll trade. You for her!” he shouted over the roar of the blades.
When Ava started for the helicopter, I grabbed her arm. As she slung me away, I demanded. “What are you doing?”
“I have to save her.”
“We’ll save her together. But not like this.”
She shook her head. “I love you, Dare, but Piper is my heart beating outside my body. If he wants me, then I go.”
“He’ll kill you,” I replied, desperation choking off my voice.
“That’s a risk I have to take.”
“No fucking way. We’ll find a way to get Piper back. I’ll negotiate territory and money.”
She placed her hand on my cheek. “This is between me and my family.”
“I can’t let you go.”
“If you love me and you love your daughter, then you have to.”
As I stared at the determined look in her eyes, I threw back my head and screamed, my fingers tearing through the strands of my hair. No, I couldn’t let this happen. I couldn’t let the woman I loved go. I had to save her and my daughter.
Ava leaned up to bring her lips to mine. I tasted the salty tears of her sadness along with her steely strength. “I’ll come back to you,” she said.
“I’ll destroy the world to get you back.”
“Take care of our daughter.”
“You have my word.”
After one final kiss, she turned from me and ran to the helicopter. I held my breath, waiting for the man to double cross us by shooting Ava and still taking Piper. But to my surprise, he didn’t. He even gave Ava a moment to hug and kiss Piper before she started running across the clearing to me.
“DADDY!” she sobbed as she dove into my arms.
Her words brought me to my knees. To hear her call me that for the first time should’ve brought such joy, but it wounded me so deeply.
I had to get Ava back not just for me, but for Piper.