Lane took one step forward and pressed into Kevin’s personal space. “You brought danger to my child, to the mother of my child. You’re lucky I don’t finish you off here and now and put an end to this shit.”
Kevn’s jaw dropped and he sank further against the wall, sliding down into a pathetic puddle. “I didn’t do any of this on purpose. I just couldn’t stop. They knew how to string me alongto get me to offer more and more until they had me in so deep there was no way out.”
Relief seeped into Celine’s muscles at finally knowing the truth about why her life had been hijacked, but questions still loomed large about what Kevin had gotten himself into.
As well as no real solution as to how to get him out of it.
“Who is ‘they’?” she asked. “Does this all stem from the casino?”
Kevin dropped his head and covered the back of his neck with his hands, interlocking his fingers. “I can’t tell you too much. It will put a target on your back.”
“I already have a target on my back,” she yelled, throwing her hands in the air. “Apparently just to get you to pay what you owe. How much is it this time?”
He mumbled something she couldn’t hear, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t want to see him hurt—or worse, killed. But he wasn’t her problem anymore.
“We need to call the sheriff’s department,” she said. “They’ve been looking for you, and you’re the only one who can clear up everything. Once you talk to a deputy, they can put you in protective custody or something until the people after you are caught.”
Hysterical laughter bubbled from Kevin’s throat. “You think it’s that simple? This organization has a wide, dangerous reach. They’ll know where I am and who I talked to. And once they find out, I’m dead.”
“Not our problem,” Lane said. “You can’t show up at my doorstep, bring more danger to Celine and Parker, and think you call the shots. I’m going upstairs to grab my phone and I’m making the call. So you better figure your shit out fast.”
Celine crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at the sniveling excuse of a man she’d once thought she loved. “I can’t believe you did this.”
Kevin glanced up at Lane, who disappeared at the top of the staircase, and scrambled to his feet. The injured look morphed into a hard mask and he pulled a gun from the back of his waistband. “I don’t care what you believe. Get your ass outside now before that idiot gets back.”
Icy terror slid down her spine like an avalanche. “What are you doing?”
He dug his fingers into her biceps and pressed the barrel of the gun to her side. “Outside. Now. I’d hate to have to use this on Parker.”
“You wouldn’t,” she gasped, tears stinging her eyes.
“I’d do whatever it takes to stay alive.” Opening the door, he forced her through it. “Now hurry the hell up.”
Lane stalked backto the nursery to give Duke a heads up before making a call to the sheriff’s department.
Duke sat in the rocking chair with Parker fast asleep in his arms. He glanced up as Lane entered the room. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, no, sonofabitch.” He shoved a hand through his hair, fisting the short strands for a beat before letting his arm fall back to his side. “Kevin Koffman’s here.”
“Celine’s ex-husband?”
“Yep.” Pent up anger and frustration flowed through his veins. He paced to expel as much of it as he could so he wouldn’t put his fist through the asshole’s face as soon as he went back downstairs. “Showed up all bloody and bruised. Asking for help. The idiot doesn’t want a doctor to look him over or the sheriff’s department involved in his shitshow. But too damn bad. I’mcalling Spencer and getting his ass here now. He needs to get out of my house now.”
“Want me to come down and lend a hand? This little guy fell right back to sleep as soon as everything quieted down.”
Stopping, Lane smiled down at his sleeping son. “Didn’t need fed, huh?”
“Nah, just the comforting arms of Uncle Duke.”
Lane shook his head. “Christ, what has my world come to?”
Chuckling, Duke stood and gently laid Parker back in his portable crib. “You love every single thing about this new world, including me. Now go get your phone, and I’ll meet you downstairs. No reason for Celine to be alone with that clown any longer than necessary.”
“Good point. And thanks.” He ducked out of the room and into his own, snatching his phone from the nightstand and placing the call.
“Hello?” Spencer’s groggy voice rang through the speaker.
“Hey, Spence. It’s Lane. Kevin Koffman’s all banged up and at my house.” He found his t-shirt on the floor and yanked it over his head.
