Chapter 31
Malachi
Apersistent ringing dragged me from sleep. I felt Gracie fumbling in the bed beside me.
“Shoot, I’m sorry,” she muttered as she fumbled to answer her phone. “Hello? Yes, this is she. What! How? Okay, th-thanks.”
Gracie’s hands were shaking as she hung up the phone. “What happened?”
She sat frozen, her mouth agape. Her head turned to the side, but I drew her to face me with a finger under her chin to gaze into her eyes, which were clouded with fear. “Gracie, who was that? What happened?”
“C-c-cain escaped.” Her voice shook as she stuttered the words.
“What?!” I shrieked. Pain echoed through my skull as I moved to sit up. “That’s not possible. He was in police custody! He’s not a magician.”
“Max said he escaped the hospital. He’s not sure how yet, but wanted me to know.” Her stunned eyes met mine. “How is this happening? I thought it was over.”
Gently resting my forehead against hers, I breathed deeply. “I’m not sure, sweetheart, but we’ll figure it out.”
We sat like that, sitting in the knowledge that Max had just detonated. Cain was out there somewhere. What was he planning? Where could he be? “I need to make a call,” I said, turning to my bedside table. “Where’s my phone?”
“Huh?” Gracie asked vacantly, her eyes unfocused as she ran her fingers over her bottom lip, clearly still in shock.
“Never mind. Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Everett.” She absently handed me her phone.
I didn’t like how still and robotic her movements were.
This news had been harder to hear than when she found out he had been so close for a while.
This stress couldn’t be good for her or the baby.
“Just breathe, sweetheart. It will be okay.” I reached over and squeezed the back of her neck as silent tears leaked from her eyes.
Pain zapped through my head as I found Ev’s number and hit call.
He answered on the second ring, and as soon he heard my gruff “hey” he realized it wasn’t Gracie. “Hey Radar, how’s your head?”
“Okay. Look, we have a situation. Cain escaped police custody. We need to be on alert. Do you think you could have Oak and Hunter do some recon on the outskirts of the property? See if they can spot anything that might have been missed. Cain clearly has an accomplice, and they’re still around.
They might try to hide out somewhere in the neighboring forest.”
“How the fuck did he escape? I thought they arrested him!” Ev screeched in my ear, making me wince. It must be time for some more painkillers since my head was pounding with my racing pulse.
“No idea. The security system back online?” I asked, all the necessary precautions I wanted to ensure were in place rattling through my head as I spoke.
“Unfortunately, no. Whoever damaged the generator cut the wires and used some sort of corrosive that has also damaged the circuitry. I’ve been told it will take at least a week to fix.
Walker’s beside himself. You know how he gets without his surveillance measures in place.
This whole thing has been an absolute shitshow. ”
“I can imagine. Is he okay? Have you had an update from Max about the case?” I asked.
“He and Ollie both had an episode from the explosion, but they’re both fine now.
Walker’s anxiety is heightened, but that’s to be expected.
Hunter’s been checking in and keeping him on track.
I’ll give Max a call now and let you know.
You should be resting. Would you feel more comfortable if I had Hunter send a dog your way as extra security until the system’s fixed?
Might be a good idea anyway for everyone to buddy up.
” I could imagine Everett stroking his beard as he thought of all the things that would protect us while we waited for the security system to be fixed.
A dog wasn’t a bad idea, and Gracie would probably love it.
“Yeah, have Hunter send one up, and buddying up for everyone is a good idea. Until we know what Cain and whoever he’s with was planning, we need to remain vigilant.”
“On it. I’ll have Hunter bring over a dog soon. Now rest.” He barked the command and hung up. Sometimes I forgot he was a special forces team leader.
Grace was still too still, but had leaned back against the headboard, hugging her legs to her chest.
“How much did you catch?”
“A little. He’s bossy, too.” Her lips lifted at the corners in almost a smile, but it fell away too quickly. “I’m scared, Kai. Where is he and what is he up to?”
“I know, sweetheart, but everyone’s on high alert and Max and the sheriff’s department are all looking for him.
He can’t stay hidden for long, especially around here.
You know, as soon as someone sees someone new or someone out of place, the entire county knows about it.
There are plus sides to the county gossip chain.
But I don’t want you to go anywhere alone, okay?
You need to stay safe.” I gripped her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze.
I was not sure I’d survive it if anything happened to her.
A knock and a bark broke the silence, making Gracie jump.
“It’s just Hunter with a dog for us,” I remarked as I kissed her temple.
“A dog?” Her meadow-green eyes twinkled with excitement. “We’re getting a dog?”
“As a form of protection, yes.” I moved to open the door, and Hunter stood to the side with a young looking brindle colored dog with a black face and one floppy ear. “Come on in.”
Fear had left Gracie’s face, replaced with excitement and interest. “It’s adorable!” She practically squealed. “Can I?” she asked Hunter, bouncing on the balls of her feet, eager to interact with the pup.
“One moment.” Hunter gave a hand-movement command and explained what he was doing.
“This is the release command, so the dog knows to go from work mode to off the clock. The change from vest to collar helps too, especially since she’s still learning,” We watched as the dog dropped to the ground.
Hunter removed the leash, then switched the vest for a collar.
After one more command, the dog sat up, her tail wagging.
“This is Cora. She’s one from Willa’s last litter and is basically a teenager.
She’s still in training but will be perfect as additional protection.
Why don’t you get acquainted while Radar helps me bring in her crate and supplies.
” Hunter gave Gracie a chin lift before heading back out the door.
I watched Gracie fall to her knees in front of the pup, and the sound of her giggles made my chest burst with happiness.
I followed Hunter out and grabbed the feed and accessories while he grabbed the crate and parts.
As I came back in, I couldn’t help but smile as the pup licked Gracie’s face.
“I think she’s in love,” Hunter remarked. “You might have some competition.”
After we got Cora settled in, it was time for another nap.
I cuddled Gracie to my chest and just breathed her in.
Strawberries and sunshine. It felt so right to have her in my arms, while I rested my hand over her flat stomach.
I was still in awe that a baby was growing in there.
With all that had happened still hitting us, it was a lot to deal with.
We hadn’t had any time to sit with the fact that she was pregnant.
We were going to be parents.
And it was a we. I would claim this baby as my own. It would only know love. This baby was a chance to change our upbringings and create a new, better future and family together. The thought of Gracie swelling with a baby had desire and longing skating down my spine.
She already hung the moon, but to see her grow with a new life inside her would be something truly special. The woman I loved was having a baby. I fell asleep to the thought of holding Gracie and our baby in my arms.
It felt like only moments later that I woke again, this time alone. Fear pinched at me until I heard the unmistakable sounds of Gracie talking to Cora in the kitchen. Grabbing my crutches, I headed for my girl.
Gracie turned at the sound as I came over to the counter. “We didn’t wake you, did we?”
“No, but it was getting lonely in there.” I stuck out my bottom lip, then I crowded her back against the counter.
“Aw, you poor thing. We can’t have that, can we?
” She rose to her tiptoes, her gold-green eyes burning with intensity as she leaned closer.
Electricity shot through my body as her lips touched mine.
I let her lead and got lost in the sensations of her lips, her tongue, her hands as they teased up my back and into the hair at the base of my neck.
Even through the haze of pain, my dick rose to the occasion as my desire and need for her surged. I couldn’t get enough of her; her taste, her feel, her touch—it was all too much and not enough.
“Wildflower,” I groaned as I rocked my hardening cock against her.
A disgruntled yip sounded as Cora pushed her way between us, effectively breaking us apart.
“Cock-blocked by a dog,” I grumbled, as a laugh burst from Gracie.
“Let’s get you back in your crate. Your momma and I need some alone time.
” I signaled for Cora to go into her crate.
Her amber eyes assessed me the whole time.
Maybe Hunter was right. I might have some competition.
Once I settled Cora and covered her crate, I hurried back to my girl. I took her mouth in a fierce kiss. I picked up where we left off—tasting her, devouring her sweetness. I couldn’t get enough.
Breaking the kiss, she hopped up on the counter, pulling my body back against hers with her legs. She ran the backs of her fingers over my cheek and up to my bruised temple.
Whispering into the air between us, her words ghosted over my lips. “How’s your head feeling?”
“Fine. Just a dull ache,” I moaned as I rocked against her core.
“Good, ‘cause I need you.” She teased one of her hands into my sweats and ran her palm over the mushroom head of my cock.
“Wildflower,” I moaned. It was too much and not enough.