“Bring mommy home!”
“Please,” Piper added in a whispered voice.
It was a bad idea to glance back over my shoulder but I’d done it anyway. Their quivering lips and tear-filled eyes almost broke me.
Turning back to the exit, I yelled without looking back again or I’d likely have fallen apart. “Daddy promises.”
I intended to keep my promise.
Not doing so was unacceptable.
The girls had already lost one mother, I wouldn’t let them lose another.
Gemma was our everything.
* * *
My hands tightenedon the steering wheel.
I’d hopped in my rig first and was waiting for Paxton, who was riding with me, as the others followed in another vehicle.
When Paxton got in, he let out a gutted sigh and scrubbed his hands down his face. “I’m so damn sorry.”
Blaming someone might make me feel better but the only one who was responsible for what was happening was the woman who took my wife. I knew Paxton hoped that his mother had nothing to do with the actions against Gemma, but from the text, it looked like that was exactly who we needed to blame.
‘It’s not your fault man.” I took a deep breath, trying to lessen the grip my hands had on the wheel so we could get out of there.
“I’m going to make this right. I won’t let my mother hurt Gemma.” His tone said he meant what he said but it also held a hint of worry.
He was probably trying not to think the same thing as I was.What if she already did?
We both knew from our military training and days in the field that we had to be prepared for anything. But we had to go into battle and every situation thinking we could achieve the best possible outcome.
But this was so hard when it was my love whose life could be on the line.
I’d lost men on missions and it tore me apart. I had lost Isabelle and I’d thought my life had been over because I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most.
Now it was up to me to save the woman who showed me how to love again. Who showed me an intense, different kind of love I’d never experienced before. It didn’t take away anything from Isabelle, it was just different.
And I wouldn’t lose my heart and soul.Gemma.
Isabelle, with your heart of gold, if you’re listening, watch over her until I get there. Please.
“Let's go get our girl,” I said to Paxton.
It was clear her brother adored her and loved her too. If he lost her now he’d never forgive himself just as I wouldn’t.
Hoping I wasn’t making a mistake and that no one would hear her phone, I sent a reply text to Gemma right before we took off. I had to let her know she wasn’t alone.
Bodie: I love you too, baby. Stay strong and hang in there. I’m on my way.
ChapterForty-One
GEMMA
My temper flaredas the fog dissipated and my mind started to clear.
Paxton’s mother said her name was Lena. She rambled on in the mostly-dark room—the only light coming from a small flashlight she flicked in my eyes at times—about meeting my father. I wanted to cover my ears as she told me about how my father turned to her when my mama couldn’t have a baby and then had gotten her pregnant only to leave her to work things out with my mother.
