Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
“ T he asshole had no identification on him. The sheriff’s department is working on identifying him, but Hank said he’d let me know as soon as he had any info.” Gage ran his hands through his hair.
Hank Porter, the sheriff in Clarence County, had worked closely with the guys when Emma was being stalked by Marco Santoro. Gunner had met him a few times before he had to go back to Connecticut, and he liked the man. No nonsense, a strong sense of justice. He knew Hank would do everything he could to understand what was going on.
“It’s the Santoros,” Hawk’s words grated against Gunner’s chest.
That was one of his working theories. The family had to know about the team’s involvement in taking Marco down after he attacked Emma. There was no doubt in Gunner’s mind that they’d see hurting someone on the team, or someone in their family, as an eye for an eye trade. Lily was young and beautiful, and as much as it made him want to puke just to think about it, she was prime for being trafficked, especially to some sick fuck who would be happy to hear she’d already had a kid and could have more in the future.
“Who else have we pissed off lately?” His molars ground together as he grumbled the question. “Besides, the fucker mentioned working for a family to Lil.”
“I know we just talked about backing away from our contracts, but maybe it’s time to tell Max we want the full picture of what’s been going on with their case. They’ve had Marco in a black site for weeks now. I can’t imagine they’ll wait much longer to move on the family.” Stone twirled a pen in between his fingers. His fidgeting was driving Gunner up a wall.
“That fucker came after Lily twice now. We had nothing on him after he tried to snatch her in the park, but to take her from a busy bar? I mean, fuck. He literally told her his boss wasn’t happy that she’d gotten away the first time. She’s become their target, and I don’t fucking like it one bit.”
“She’s safe now. No one can access the apartments without a card and the access code, unless she lets them in.”
“Have you met Lil? She’s not sitting back today. Apparently Sloane invited her to her office. For what, I don’t fucking know. But she’s all excited about having a new friend and I can’t take that from her, even if I want to lock her and Sage upstairs and never let them out until those Santoro fuckers are rotting in the ground.”
“I installed a great security system for Sloane. She’s on top of it. If she invited Lily over, I’m sure she would do everything to keep her and Sage safe. As for the FBI, I can reach out to Max and see what info he’s got for us,” Gage offered.
“Do it today. They came after my wife. I don’t want them thinking for a second that I’m going to take that lying down. In fact, let the FBI know I want in on whatever raid they’re planning next. I’m going to send a message to the Santoros myself. ”
“Is that really smart? Don’t you think, if anything, you should stick close to Lily and Sage?”
“I think I can take care of bo—” Stone’s phone rang, cutting into Gunner’s train of thought.
“Sorry guys. One sec.” He looked down at the cell he’d just pulled from his pocket. “It’s Dolly. She wouldn’t be calling if there wasn’t something going on. Give me one sec.” He held up his hand as he walked out of the conference room.
“Who the hell is Dolly? Is Stone seeing someone?” Gunner asked.
Nash and Hawk laughed.
“Dolly is the woman who owns the diner at the end of the street. It’s literally named ‘Dolly’s Diner’. He’s definitely not dating her, although I’m never going to let him live that down. She’s old enough to be his mom.”
“Maybe even old enough to be his grandma.” Hawk’s laughter filled the room.
“You guys are already close with her?”
“She had a break-in the first week we were in town. Hawk and Stone went over to help her out. Got her set up with a better security system, and all new locks, cameras, stuff like that. Now we all get a free slice of pie whenever we stop in. Best working relationship we have here so far,” Nash smiled.
“I’ll have to take Lily and Sage over there sometime. Lily loves blackberry pie. Do you think she’d have that?”
“Yeah. If not, mention it once, and Dolly’ll make it for you.”
Stone walked back into the room, his eyes bouncing immediately to Gunner.
“What’s going on, Doc?”
“Dolly just needs some help. I’ll head over now. You guys can fill me in when I get back on the plan. Okay?”
“Yeah. Give us a call if you need backup,” Hawk’s furrowed brows reflected the concern in Gunner’s gut. Something was off about Stone and he didn’t like it.
“So, where are you originally from, love?” Dolly set the glass of cold water in front of Lily and slid into the booth across from her. Apparently, she was going to have a new friend join her.
“Connecticut. I’ve been there my whole life. Never lived anywhere other than my hometown.” Lily picked up the water and gulped it down. She loved how the water chilled her instantly. “Until Gunner told me his job needed him back in Texas. I had Sage, and a few weeks later, here we are.”
“That’s wonderful that you’re so supportive of his career.”
“He’s given me the freedom to stay home with Sage since I had her, and I can’t possibly repay him for that.” She playfully tickled her daughter’s tummy and was rewarded with a big smile. “But I’m actually on my way to see about a job for myself. Idle hands and all that.”
“Oh, but Sage is still so young. After I had Jesse, I came right to work, but it was hard because I missed so much with her that I had with her older brothers.”
Lily nodded. “I’m lucky. The job will let me have Sage there with me during the day. I’ve always been someone who took care of myself, so I’d like to have a little of that independence back.”
“Well, that’s the best of both worlds, isn’t it?”
“I’m hoping so. Have you always been so interested in the lives of people around here?” Lily had a feeling Dolly was the one person in town who kept her eye on everyone else.
“Oh honey, I could tell you the life story of just about everyone in this town. Not because I’m a busy-body, mind you. It’s because I love every person here. My family started this town way back when. Now, I automatically induct anyone who walks through that door into my family. I’ve been here my whole life. Seen babies born, watched the older generation die. I’ll be here until the day I go…probably serving up pies and glasses of sweet tea. Well, at least I hope that’s the way I go.”
“You’re a Ford?”
Dolly smiled. “A woman who’s done her research about our beautiful town. I like you, Lily. And technically, I married into the Ford family.”
“But you’re here, and not at the ranch?”
“My husband and some of my sons run the ranch. That’s their passion. It’s too quiet out there for me. I want to be in town, serving people food that fills their soul.”
“It’s so nice that you were able to follow your passion, too.”
“Well, my husband really doesn’t get a say in it. I gave him five handsome sons and a beautiful daughter. Supporting me in this is the least he can do.”
“Sounds like a beautiful life.”
“It’s been a tough one for sure. But there’s beauty even in the toughest of moments, if you know where to look.” Dolly waved at Sage as she sighed.
“You said some of your sons help run the ranch?”
“Yes. My oldest, Colton, is a deputy with the sheriff’s department. He still lives at the ranch, though. Poor guy had a tough night last night. Apparently, someone attacked a woman over at Davney’s. Never had such a thing happen here before, I swear.”
Lily swallowed thickly, her eyes drifting down to the table.
“Oh no. It wasn’t you, was it, dear?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Are you alright? That must have been awful to go through. ”
“Luckily, my husband’s boss was there and able to handle the situation.”
“Lord.”
“Dolly, did your son say anything about the man? He’s someone from around here, right? Just a little off, but someone who wouldn’t really hurt me?”
“You didn’t know him, hon?”
“No.”
“Here I was thinking it was some domestic dispute. But no, Colton didn’t say anything other than he didn’t recognize the man. Must be someone just passing through. Lord, I hope if he’s released, he just moves on.”
Shivers ran down Lily’s spine. “Yeah, I hope so too.”
The bell at the counter chimed, and Jessie waved at her mom.
“I better be getting back to it. My daughter loves to tease me about taking up people’s time with my need to chit-chat. You just let me know if you need anything else.”
“I will. Thank you, Dolly.”
“Don’t be a stranger, sweetheart. You and Sage are now a part of my family. And I need you to bring that SEAL of yours here soon. I’ve got a catalog of eye-candy in my mind and it could use some refreshing.” Her mischievous wink made Lily laugh, even though she wasn’t sure how she felt about her husband being in someone’s fantasy rotation.
With more than half the glass drained of water, and no more bouts of dizziness, Lily took Sage out of her stroller to nurse. The diner was quiet for the time of day, just a few strangers here or there that occasionally looked over at her. Not wanting to shock the patrons, Lily opted to drape a nursing cover over herself and Sage. Her sweet baby happily snuggled down and began nursing.
For a few minutes, Lily just watched the world passing by her. When Sage seemed perfectly content to continue, Lily found herself mesmerized by the condensation forming on the outside of her glass.
“Lily?”
The familiar voice coming from the side of her table startled her. Sage moved beneath the nursing cover, but still seemed happy with her air-conditioned snack.
“Stone? What are you doing here? I thought you guys had a big team meeting today.”
“We did. But Dolly called. Said one of our wives was down here feeling a little under the weather.”
“Why did she call you? Does Gunner know I’m here?” She looked out the window for any sign of him stomping down the street as Stone slid into the booth across from her. “He’s going to be so mad at me for walking all this way.”
“Well, I think I’ve told Dolly one too many stories about my time as a medic. She’s just got this way of sliding pie in front of me and lowering all my defenses.”
Lily laughed. “Yeah, she seems like she could get information from just about anyone. What about Gunner?”
“When Dolly said wife, I kind of knew it was you. Figured maybe I’d just come to make sure everything was okay, and we could keep it our little secret that you wandered off today.”
Lily groaned. Clearly, Gunner had told the guys what she was supposed to be doing. “Did he tell everyone about my plans for the day?”
“We had an entire, very in-depth brief about it. He seems happy you’re making friends. And Sloane is great. We definitely lucked out with her as our neighbor. But you have to know, Gunner is nothing if not overly protective of those he loves.”
Except he doesn’t love me and our marriage is an act.
“So,” Stone raised his eyebrow as he reached across the table and took Lily’s wrist into his hand. She watched as his eyes assessed her face, and she knew he was carefully taking her pulse, just like he had at the park. “Are you okay?”
“I just overheated. Didn’t realize how brutal the Texas sun could be around midday. Learned my lesson with a pretty embarrassing bout of dizziness.”
Stone looked concerned. “No swelling right now, right?”
“None.”
“And your head?”
“Nothing. I feel fine now that I’ve had some cold water.”
“Okay. Better start carrying a water bottle with you when you leave the house. The heat here can be surprisingly brutal, even when you’re acclimated to it.”
“I definitely learned my lesson.”
“How are you doing after everything that happened last night?”
Lily bit her bottom lip. “Honestly? Not great. But I refuse to let some pervert stop me from living my life. Besides, he’s in custody now, and the deputy last night said the paperwork would be going in for a restraining order.”
“That’s really brave, Lily.”
“Gunner would just tell you I’m stubborn.”
Stone laughed. “Yeah, well, Gunner is stubborn, too. I was worried at first, but I can see that you really are the perfect match for him.”
Her entire chest ached. “Sage and I are lucky to have him.”
“And me and the guys are lucky Gunner has you. There’s a whole different side to him we get to see now. It’s nice seeing him be so gentle and sweet to you and Sage. I hate to say it, but he was getting to be unbearable before he left Texas. Coming back with you…he’s like a whole different person.”
Sage wiggled around beneath her nursing cover until Lily brought her out from under it and started patting her back. The enormous burp she let out had both Lily and Stone laughing .
“For such a little thing, she sure can burp,” Lily sighed.
“She gets that from her daddy, for sure.” Stone’s comment swelled in her heart. “Are you ladies ready to head out? I’m more than happy to walk you to Sloane’s.”
“That would be so nice. Thank you.”
Lily set Sage down in the bassinet and released the brakes on the stroller. She smiled and waved at Dolly before walking through the door Stone was holding open for her.
“So this little check-in can stay between us?” she asked.
“It can just be between us, for now. Although Gunner was there when Dolly called me and was wondering why I left. I’m hoping you’ll say something to him before he corners me for the details, because honestly Lily, we don’t keep things from each other.”
Lily cringed, then nodded. “I’ll try to talk to him tonight.”