He nodded. “I’ll figure something out on the drive. While you focus. Don’t get stuck in that 3X head of yours,bébé.”
A laugh choked out of me, and I swiped more tears. “Hey, we’re not supposed to make fun of me during times like this.”
“Nah,youaren’t supposed to.” He pulled out his phone, tugging my hand as I followed him out of the room. By the time we reached the front door, the kids had opened it for Montana’s brothers.
Washington and Ten.
“You can’t come,” I said.Yeah, fear was controlling my thoughts.
Their frowns said they weren’t sitting this out.
“We’ll follow you. In my—never mind.” Washington cleared his throat.
“My car,” Tennessee said. Not sure what that was about. Didn’t care to ask.
After ten minutes, the bright lights behind us from Tennessee’s truck washed out, and Montana’s SUV’s side mirror reflected gloom from the scattered streetlamps.
“Are we almost there?”
“Yeah, they’re going around back,” Montana said just as bright airport lights loomed ahead.
A chorus of bad decisions disco-balled through my brain. I’d been stupid before, but this…?
My eyes flicked to Montana, speeding past a stoplight. He’d told me not to stay stuck in my head. So, I ditched that idea.
“Reach in that compartment.” Montana’s voice was calm. So calm.
I popped the glove box and froze. Cold metal glinted.
He didn’t flinch. “It’s registered,bébé. You scared.”
“Scared? No! I’m mad. He took my—ourbaby. We got that letter.” I tugged the cold, metallic gun into my hand, feeling astrange sense of power. “Anything we do is self-defense. Or motherly instincts. Both. Depending on the lawyer you can get me.”
That earned a small huff from him. “Zuri …”
“Don’t worry. I won’t flinch.”
“Wasn’t worried about that,bébé. Can you shoot? Dude could’ve brought the Queso Kings.” A sniff cracked the edges of his composure. “I don’t want you in there. At all. You told me things went sideways in New York. Coulda been worse.”
“I can shoot.”
“Good.” He reached beneath his seat and removed another gun and parked on the side of the hangar. He brushed his thumb over my chin and kissed me slow.
Deep.
The kiss anchored me. Powered down the side orders of second-guessing myself and left… focus. For a heartbeat, I wasn’t a momma about to walk into her worst nightmare. I was just … loved.
After another hard kiss, his forehead rested against mine, and his hands claimed the back of my neck, possessive and passionate. “Now, we got his and hers. Hide yours, though. No hero crap, you understand?”
I nodded, lifting until the excess material of my dress was out of the way, and I tucked the gun into the band of the compression shorts I’d taken from Montana. If I had to throw this dress over my shoulders, going commando wouldn’t have been a good look.
“Zuri, get me a clear shot.”
I got out of the truck before I could overthink it. Gravel crunched under my stilettos, each step heavier than the last.Every step a light-year.That’s how I thought when I’d entrusted my baby to Montana. I swore the chilly Louisiana night air thickened just to make me sweat.
The light from the hangar spilled out, and I strolled inside. The scent hit first—rust, oil, deception. Then I saw him.
Edwin stood there like he was auditioning for Satan’s understudy. Before him sat a roller chair, and in it, I found my son.Mybaby. His arms and legs duct-taped. He clutched Brody to his chest. His little twisties haloed by the overhead light.
