"Preplanning. I like it."
"I'm only talking about a month before Hollingsworth saw me at the bank." She told him about the day she had to flee. "There was no way I could go to dinner and have him casually make a comment to Randall. And the divorce papers were scheduled for a couple days later, so it didn't matter. But I never had a chance to get the books."
"Is that everything? We can figure out where the books are."
"Except that I never stopped loving you, Ty. Not once. I know I've totally screwed up my life, and there was no way that I was going to drag you down with me."
He wrapped his arms around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder. She could feel his strength and determination, his inner dragon itching for battle. She closed her eyes and lost herself in his heat for a moment.
"We're in this together now. And we'll figure it out."
Sweeter words she had never heard.
Chapter Sixteen: Chapter 16 Title
Tyson “Ty” Hale
Tyson called his brothers to the barn and closed the door so no one else wandered in. Colton sat with a smirk on his face like he already knew what the sudden meeting was about.
"Are we going to kick some ass?"
Logan grinned. "I hope so."
Drake shushed them. "Let him talk so we can get to the kicking part."
As quick as he could, Tyson told them the entire story. Drake, being the youngest, shook his head. "Doesn't she know that dragons can do anything?"
Colton kicked at him. "She knew that she was in a world of shit and did what she did to protect our family as much as her own. That took guts, especially considering how much in love with Ty she was."
Tyson agreed. "It breaks my heart that we went through all that because of a conman. I know where he lives, well, where they lived, and we have a four-year-old to consider."
"What do you make of that?" Colton asked. "Something seems a little fishy there."
Logan agreed. "How can a man go from being thrilled with his daughter to hating her a couple months later, but he's all father of the year with his son?"
Tyson shrugged. "When we get an answer, I'll make sure you're in on it. And we can't go in there as dragons or ass kickers. We don't know for sure where the kid is or what kind of system this dude has set up."
Colton frowned. "How do you propose we get in?"
"It's New York City. Tourists, party goers, drunk people. We're simply guys from a fraternity looking for the party of the night. We knock on the door and then play it by ear."
Drake clapped his hands. "Simple, yet effective. Brilliant idea."
Tyson cut his eyes at Drake. "I have no doubt that you can stagger around like a drunk. I've seen you do it."
Colton stood. "When are we going? I need to let Ellie know."
"We need to go now. This asshole gave Val two days, two days ago. Her time is pretty much up, and I'd rather know the score before they bring the fight here."
"I thought he didn't know about you," Logan commented.
"Me specifically, he doesn't, which helps us out. But he knows that she's from Manitou, and it would only make sense that she'd go home since he had effectively cut her off from everyone. It won't be hard for him to track her here."
Colton headed for the door. "Trouble with small towns. Everyone knows everything. I would be willing to bet there's a huge buzz around town about Val being back here with Ty. He's probably quite the celebrity. I'll be right back."
Logan laughed after the door closed behind Colton. "It's so funny that he has to check in with the missus."
Tyson popped him on the back of the head. "Wait until someday when you fall in love. You'll understand then."
