The cells.
Aurora called me after our game, worried Jax would review the security footage and realize she wasn’t home. Her voice shook as she tried to explain why she was at Jackson’s penthouse. I was on the road, and the boisterous team made ithard to hear, but I gathered two key facts: Lucas was missing, and she was alone. Naturally, Jax picked up on my distress.
It was the longest seven-hour flight of my life, with sporadic text messaging. We were helpless, learning something new each hour. Lucas was in the ICU. Reece was admitted for observation and wound care. The twins were uninjured but refused to leave. Bennett escorted Aurora to the hospital herself.
It was utter chaos.
Everybody assumed Jax had received taunting pictures of Lucas in the cell being tortured. He hadn’t—thank fuck—but I find it hard to believe this was only a ploy to force information from Reece’s partner. These assholes attacked while we were out of town and drew everyone else away from Aurora. That can’t be a coincidence.
She was smart enough to set aside her discomfort and stay at the penthouse. In the past, she may have called Emily for help. The thought turns my stomach. I don’t trust the bitch not to be involved.
Aurora could’ve been in a cell next to Lucas. Again, we got damn lucky.
Jackson’s fingers twitch. “I knew nothing about them. Memories from my childhood are spotty,” he repeats the exact words he practiced with Rocco, which are not a lie.
I squeeze his hand and clear my throat. “Our lawyer is on the way from New York. You can question Jax with him. For now, could we see our family please?”
Bennett nods, and I creep the door open, quietly entering the dimly lit room. The twins flank the bed, Reece and Aurora cuddled on the couch.
She gasps softly, “Jax!” and jumps up, rushing into his arms after quickly kissing my cheek.
My gaze lands on Lucas’ battered face. He’s asleep, curled on his side, blankets tucked under his chin. He’s about Jackson’s age but looks so young.
A chill runs down my spine, and my stomach clenches. My teeth rattle. What if it were Jax they’d taken and beaten? What if it were him lying in a hospital bed with a severe concussion, collapsed lung, and broken ribs? Or Aurora?
Most likely, if they were snatched, I’d never see them again. They’d never make it to the hospital. Jax would be killed, and Aurora would disappear.
I’d commit murder, and the words burst from my lips. “You kill them all?”
Dante glances behind me to ensure our privacy. “Yes, sir. Except one, but he’s as good as dead.”
I clasp Reece’s uninjured shoulder. “You let one live?”
“To send a message,” Dante continues. “It was Lucas’ request.”
At the sound of his name, his eyes flutter open and widen. “Holy shit,” he rasps, his voice raw. “I didn’t know everyone was here.” He pushes himself up in bed with a wince, his arms trembling.
Jax lingers near the door. “Rest. Don’t get up.” He’s terrible at comforting others, even worse than I am. He rarely touches people, except for me, Aurora, or sometimes Grant, but he’s also perceptive and understands better than anyone that Lucas might want space right now. “Is there anything you need? Anything I can get you?”
Desi lifts a plastic pitcher with a straw from the bedside table and encourages Lucas to drink. “Get us to New York? My mom’s a nurse; he can recover there.”
“He’s under observation and on oxygen.” Reece sucks in a deep breath, his eyelids drooping with exhaustion. “He needs to remain in the hospital.”
“You’re one to talk,” Lucas croaks. “Did they release you? Or did you sign yourself out against medical advice?”
“I’m still in the hospital, aren’t I?” Reece raises his brows, presses his lips together, and collapses against the couch cushion. “I’ll leave when you do, and you’ll stay with me.”
“He doesn’t need you,” Dante interjects, his dark eyes narrowed.
“He has us,” Desi adds. “We’ll take care of him.”
Oh boy. I exchange a glance with Jax and Aurora, who now sit beside Reece, Aurora on Jax’s lap, his hand on her belly. We have some important decisions to make, none of which I’m ready to discuss tonight.
“One day at a time. When the doctors release you,” I tell Lucas, “we’ll get you to New York if that’s what you want. Same with you guys.” I nod to the twins.
Desi stands and perches on the side of the bed, motioning for me to take his chair. He smiles down at Lucas and brushes his hair from his forehead. “Spend Christmas in New York with us—no people, just us.”
Lucas returns the smile and whispers, “Okay.”
