Chapter 42
BLAIZE
Icombed my fingers through Kadence’s hair, watching the way she twitched in her sleep.
While she was sleeping, it wasn’t peaceful.
I knew everything was taking a toll on her as well, and I wasn’t being the partner she needed.
My mind was focused on finding the person who wanted to hurt her, who hurt others in my town, and who wanted me to pay, but I was new to dating. I hadn’t dated in almost fifteen years.
Kadence was living with me, technically. I didn’t want her to leave, and she made herself comfortable in my loft, but I wasn’t complaining. It was nice having a beautiful woman wrapped in my arms every night. I needed to focus on us while also protecting her, so I didn’t push Kadence away.
Kadence screamed, her body shooting up out of my bed. “Hey, it’s okay.”
She slammed back against the pillows, covering her face and sobbing softly. “I’m sorry.”
“Princess,” I cooed gently, but she didn’t move her hands to look at me. “Look at me Kadence,” I demanded softly. Slowly, she moved her hands and I saw the tears in her forest-green eyes. “Don’t be sorry. You had a nightmare. It’s normal for what you experienced. Do you want to talk about it?”
She hiccupped, nuzzling into my chest more. “Annika died, and the person who did it took me. Dom and Liam were there, too. I thought I was doing better, but…”
I wanted to find this bastard and string him by his toes so my girl never had to be scared again.
“You are healing every day, Kadence. I know it’s not the straight path you want, but healing takes time.
” I wasn’t the best one to give a motivation speech on healing.
My motto was shooting the problem when my pain was too intense.
“Liam is dead. He can’t hurt me again. Dom is…nobody. I want to be happy, Blaize. For the first time in a long time, I want to enjoy my life with someone who cares about me. I’m tired of constantly being in survival mode.”
“I’ll get you out of survival mode, princess.”
Kadence cuddled up next to me once more before she slowly fell back asleep.
I needed to find this person. Whoever it was created havoc in my town and in my life, but they wouldn’t take my happiness from me.
Kadence would be able to enjoy her life without being on constant alert or fighting to survive.
I would give her the life she deserved growing up.
She would never have to worry about anything ever again if I had my way.
I groaned when my phone chimed. I didn’t know how long passed before I finally dozed off, but I was ready to kill whoever was texting me.
AGENT FOSTER
MEET ME AT THE PIER
Kadence stirred in her sleep, but didn’t wake up.
I hated leaving her, but I needed to see what this bastard wanted.
She’d be here waiting for me when I got back, but Foster could have information I needed to protect her.
Kadence was safe in my bed, and I would make sure no one could get in and hurt her.
When I arrived at the pier, Agent Foster was talking with Garrick. They both looked at me as I parked my bike and pulled my helmet off before walking towards them. Garrick gave me a nod while Foster, on the other hand, looked at me like he had something better to get to.
“What is it?”
Garrick handed me a manilla folder. The last time I opened a folder like this, I hurt the woman I loved.
I flipped the folder open to see a burnt building and the Vandals symbol left behind.
Hunter, nor Cross, or anyone else informed me of another building being burnt, so how would Garrick have pictures before me?
“One of my warehouses got hit, and they left this behind. One of my working girls said a man was sweet talkin’ her and he gave her creeper vibes.”
“Does she have a picture or a description?”
“She said his face was mostly covered, and he didn’t have a familiar voice. She’s been in the territories for a while.”
I nodded, looking at the pictures. “Does anyone else have reports of damages? I need to get with Cross. It’s been hectic since Layla’s death.”
“I think Jethro had an issue, but he has issues with everything.”
“What about you?” I asked Foster. “You were the one that called me here.”
“Someone called the FBI and said you were getting ready to do a big operation.”
“And what operation is that?”
“Sex trade,” he said casually. “I told them you don’t deal with sex trafficking, but it’s not the first time someone has made this report.”
I looked at Garrick. “I haven’t heard anything in my territory, just vandalism. We all know you don’t deal with that. None of us do.”
“Who did you piss off?” It was more of a statement than a question.
“I always piss people off. Where is this so-called sex traffic operation going to take place?”
“That is unknown at this time. This source also said something about you pimping out your girlfriend.”
“What did they say about Kadence?”
He shrugged, lighting a cigarette and inhaling the toxic fumes into his lungs. “That she’s a hot piece of ass.”
Garrick grabbed me before I had the chance to punch the daylights off of a fed.
“I will kick your ass if you say anything like that about Kadence. I’m going home.
If anything happens, call Cross. And if you hear anything about Kadence,” I glowered at Foster, “you will inform me so I can properly handle the situation.”
Agent Foster left, and he was lucky I didn’t shoot him. “Did Elijah ever talk to you about having a sibling? Or a girlfriend?”
Garrick cocked his brow. “No? Elijah wasn’t the type to sit down and drink a beer with me when he would visit the territory.” He paused. “Elijah didn’t have friends. He had people he tolerated for business.”
“Something isn’t adding up. Elijah had to have someone he trusted.”
“I’ll see if I can find anything for you, and go from there. I know some people in the outer territories.”
“Thank you. If you need anything let me know.”