Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Two weeks later
Dawson lay on the baby play mat next to Grace and jiggled a rattle in front of her.
She was on her tummy, working hard to lift her head, her little neck straining with the effort.
She managed a few wobbly seconds—enough to lock her dark eyes on the rattle—before her cheek dropped back to the mat.
Then her face screwed up tight into the most heartbreaking expression, and she let out a wail.
“Don’t cry, little one.” Dawson gently rolled her over. Grace stared up at him, a tear leaking from one eye, and then a smile played on her lips. He grinned down at her, his heart warming at the way her eyes tracked his face.
“Dawson Graham!” Peyton appeared in the entrance of the living room, her hands on her hips.
She looked stunning in a worn pair of jeans and a soft T-shirt that molded to her body in all the right places.
Her hair was braided and fell over one shoulder.
“Did you just flip that baby over? She’s supposed to be doing tummy time. ”
“She doesn’t like it.” Dawson shook the rattle in front of Grace and was rewarded for the effort as the baby reached for the object.
Peyton’s expression was exasperated but full of affection. “You’re spoiling her.”
“That’s what uncles are good for.” He grinned, not the least bit contrite.
She studied him with mock severity. “Uncle.” Peyton lowered herself to the mat beside him, and his smile widened as he reached for her. The scent of her jasmine perfume tickled his nose. “That’s presumptuous, don’t you think? Who says I’m gonna agree to marry you?”
Dawson kissed her lightly and took pleasure in the way her hazel eyes darkened with desire and longing. “Something tells me I’ll convince you.”
She laughed, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
Dawson didn’t think it was possible, but he fell a bit more in love with her.
Peyton had been staying on the ranch while they recovered from their injuries, and the last two weeks had only shown that the connection between them was stronger than ever.
They’d gone on dates, talked for hours, and spent time with his family.
They’d also started counseling together.
Neither of them wanted to screw things up this time.
Both were dedicated to building a strong foundation for their marriage.
Dawson was committed to giving their relationship the time it deserved, he already knew, and had for a while, that he wanted to marry her again.
He tilted his head, a familiar ache in his chest, as his gaze drifted over Peyton’s gorgeous face. “You look beautiful today, if I haven’t mentioned it.”
Her blush deepened. “You have. Three times at least.”
“What’s one more?” He cupped Peyton’s cheek and rose up slightly to kiss her again, ignoring the way the move pulled on the stitches along his hip.
The bullet had narrowly missed shattering the bone.
He’d been very fortunate. They all had. It’d taken nearly a week to remove all the bullets fired during the biker attack ambush from the house and ranch property.
But not one innocent person had been killed.
“Are you two smooching again?” Lilia’s voice carried across the room.
Dawson broke off the kiss and glowered at her. “Yes. Do you mind?”
“Actually, I do. There’s a juvenile in the room.
” She flounced in, her dark locks bouncing on her shoulders.
Two weeks of Ellen’s home-cooked meals had put a healthy color back into Lilia’s cheeks.
Physically, she’d be fine. Mentally and emotionally, things would take more time, but Lilia had also started counseling, and if her behavior was any sign, she was on the right track.
Lilia came to a stop next to the mat and smiled down at Grace. The love shining from her expression could’ve melted the hardest of hearts. “Sweet girl, why aren’t you doing tummy time?”
“It’s Dawson’s fault,” Peyton was quick to say.
“Hey! She was crying.” He lightly pinched Peyton’s thigh, causing her to squeal and shift away. “You’re no better. You don’t like it when she’s upset either.”
Peyton dissolved into laughter, but tried to gather herself together long enough to mount an argument. “Not true! I can be tough when it’s necessary.”
“Both of you are liars.” Lilia reached down and collected Grace from the mat, hugging her close. “If this keeps up, I’ll have a wild child running around stuffed full of candy who doesn’t listen.”
Dawson shook his head, his lips twitching. “You can’t use Marcus’s kids as an example. They’re like that because of their dad.”
Lilia’s mouth dropped open. “I wasn’t…” She glared as she caught on that he was joking, but a laugh bubbled up in her throat. “Oooo, you are something else.”
The doorbell rang before Dawson could make a smart remark.
He used the couch for support in order to get to his feet, as Raymond answered the door.
Voices carried from the foyer, and he immediately recognized Chief Garcia’s low timbre.
Concern vibrated through him, and he shared a glance with Peyton.
They were having a cookout this afternoon, but guests weren’t expected to arrive for another hour.
Ellen came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Chief Garcia! Welcome.” She offered him a brilliant smile, not at all ruffled by his early arrival. Dawson’s mother adored guests, no matter the hour. “Can I offer you something to drink?”
“No, thank you, ma’am. Maybe in a bit.” Chief Garcia removed his cowboy hat, his attention darting toward Peyton and Dawson. “Sorry to drop by early, but I had an update on the case and wanted to share it before the event this afternoon.”
“Come in.” Dawson waved a hand toward the couches. He suddenly felt edgy. “Have a seat.”
Raymond and Ellen discreetly disappeared into the kitchen.
Chief Garcia settled into the large armchair, while Peyton and Dawson took the couch.
Lilia perched next to them, holding Grace close to her.
She looked tense, and Peyton reached out to lightly touch her cousin’s arm in a comforting gesture. Lilia took her hand and held it.
“Well, first, let me say that I appreciate y’all’s patience while you let our department and the ATF piece together what happened.
” Chief Garcia settled his hat on the coffee table.
“I'll start with Ricky. His real name is Richard Mercer. He was a legitimate ATF agent, embedded with the Iron Serpents for nearly three years. A series of events happened in quick succession.”
He held up a finger as he ticked them off.
“The murder of the accountant, Walter Jennings. Lilia stole evidence of the criminal operation along with two million dollars from Cade before disappearing. And the sudden arrival of Marvis Harrison, who claimed to be the legitimate and rightful leader of the Iron Serpents.” Chief Garcia lowered his hand.
“By this time, Ricky had become corrupted by the money flowing in and out of the biker gang. He’d also been pretending to be loyal to Cade for years as part of his undercover work, and knew Cade would never tolerate paying anyone a large sum of money, no matter what was at stake. So…he turned his attention to Marvis.
“Marvis was desperate to take down Cade. Desperate enough to make a secret agreement with Ricky. They would find Lilia and Grace. When they did, Ricky would get the two million dollars Lilia stole, and Marvis would use the evidence and Grace to blackmail Cade into stepping down.”
Dawson’s gut churned with disgust. He’d already guessed some of the story. “Let me guess, Ricky couldn’t find Lilia.”
“No. Not until Marvis and Bobby saw her at Sandra’s house.
Marvis called Ricky, who knew he had to act fast.” The chief’s expression softened with sympathy as his gaze went to Lilia and Grace.
“Ricky figured you wouldn’t drive to Peyton’s, since you’d be worried about the Iron Serpents following you, and there are only so many places in Knoxville to hide. ”
“They ambushed me at the train depot,” Lilia said softly, her voice haunted. “I was lucky to have hidden Grace before they found me. Ricky took off with me in my car, but ordered the guys with him to grab Grace.” She hugged her baby closer. “I was scared they’d find her.”
Peyton bumped her shoulder against her cousin’s. “But they didn’t. Cuz I was there.”
“Hey, you can’t take all the credit,” Dawson protested. He waved a hand. “Hello…I was there too.”
Peyton grinned at him. “No one likes a braggart, Graham.”
Everyone laughed.
Chief Garcia waited until the room settled, and then continued.
“What Marvis didn’t know was that Ricky intended to double-cross him.
Once he had the money and the evidence, his plan was to eliminate Marvis and Lilia, turn the evidence over to the ATF while secretly pocketing the money.
He intended to walk away a hero. Decorated agent brings down a major criminal organization. No one would've questioned it.”
Dawson could hardly believe his ears. Nothing was worse than someone who betrayed their oath to serve and protect. “Except he couldn’t do that without the evidence.”
“Correct. Every attack after that—the hotel, the highway, the sniper—was Marvis either trying to recover the evidence or an attempt to frame Cade, so we would keep the pressure on him. Ricky stayed in the shadows, letting Marvis take the risks while spying on Cade for him. He also kept feeding the ATF just enough intelligence to maintain his cover.” The chief’s expression hardened.
“He purposefully provided false information and specifically said that our meddling in the Iron Serpents was enough to ruin the whole op.”
Peyton shook her head. “That’s why SSA Fallon was so upset in your office.”
The chief nodded. “Yes, Ricky lied to his handler about Lilia’s disappearance, so when SSA Fallon informed us that the Iron Serpents didn’t have her, he thought he was telling us the truth.”