While I understood his fear and the logic behind his actions, I couldn’t let him think he was making the right choice. As an adult, I could hear the manipulation in the words. Bringing up Isla was a tactic. They wanted to lure Jasper out of the house. Scaring him enough to run would be a simple and easy way to do that.
“Thank you for telling me.”
He blinked, surprised by that response, and seemed unsure how to respond.
Taking a breath, because I knew my energy would only fuel his, I projected firm guidance as I said, “Now listen to me very carefully. You’re too young to understand what’s happening, but right now, you’re doing exactly what those men want you to do.”
His brows snapped together and he shook his head, confused, but before he could argue, I cut him off.
“They want you to run, Jasper. I don’t know why, and I don’t want to even think about what they have planned, but think about it. They were trying to get you to go with them. You refused. What’s the easiest way to get you out of the house if you won’t come willingly?”
He looked away, his frown deepening. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the light dawning while his instincts still screamed at him to take action. I understood the urge. He was scared. So was I. If armed men were threatening Jasper and Isla, my first instinct would be to move them too. I also knew if Elias truly felt there was a threat, he’d move them first, even if it meant giving them up. They hadn’t reached that point yet, otherwise he’d be doing the exact same thing Jasper was doing now. I had to believe Elias would do what was right, and the best thing we could do right now was to stay put and wait it out.
“If Elias truly thought it wasn’t safe, he’d move you. You know he would. He rearranged his entire life to take you and Isla in. He would move heaven and earth to protect you two. Think it through, Jasper. Do you really think he’d stay?”
His face twisted and he shook his head slowly. “I don’t– They said–”
“They said exactly what they needed to say to get what they wanted. They want you to run, Jasper. And I won’t let them use you that way.”
He let out a choked sob, staring up at me like I was the only thing standing between him and the people who wanted to hurt his sister. And I’d gladly stay that way. This poor boy had been through enough in his life. Losing his parents, upending his life and moving in with a cousin he didn’t even know existed, starting from scratch in a new school, new town, new home. Adding threats to the one person who mattered the most to him was not only unfair, it was cruel.
“I can’t just do nothing,” he croaked, his words tight with emotions he was just barely holding back. “I promised…”
Pressing my lips together, I sighed. “I know. And I know sitting still feels impossible right now. Normally, I wouldn’t put this on someone your age. You shouldn’t have been pushed into this position. But I’m going to ask you to do the adult thing right now and wait. Wait for Elias to come back. Wait for him to tell us what happens next. He went to meet with his crew. They’ll either come up with a plan, or he’ll make the decision to leave to protect the two of you. Either way, we need to wait for him.”
His shoulders shook as he fought back tears. Isla was confused by everything that was happening, tipping her little body to get a better look at her brother’s face and frowning at him. She didn't understand what was happening, but she knew the person she loved was upset. When she hugged his head and patted him gently, it seemed to break the last of Jasper’sreserves. Gut wrenching sobs escaped him and he sank slowly to the floor.
Moving to sit beside them, I put my arm around Jasper’s shoulders. When he leaned into me, I squeezed a little tighter, silently reassuring him that I was there.
“No matter what happens next, you aren’t facing this alone, Jasper. You’ve got people on your side. People who will fight for you and protect you. You’re not all alone.”
We stayed that way on the floor until Isla started squirming and demanded to be put down. She didn't go far, even a baby seemed to be able to tell that Jasper needed support. She grabbed some toys and kept giving them to him until a smile cracked his face and he let out a long shaky breath.
A car door slammed just outside and Jasper stiffened, looking up at me with wide eyes. I put my hand up to stop him, pushing to my feet to look out the window. Those bikers were nowhere to be found. Instead,ourbiker was the one in the driveway, already racing toward the garage.
“It’s Elias,” I informed Jasper. “Stay here. Let me find out what’s happening.”
He agreed, picking up Isla and taking up a post by the window to watch. I hurried down the stairs, throwing open the door just as Elias’s motorcycle roared to life. I met him in the driveway, no shoes, practically shouting to be heard over the engine.
“Elias?”
Walking his bike backward, he stopped beside me, his face firm. “Hey! I can’t explain right now, but I need you to watch the kids! We might have a solution for all this!”
Shaking my head, I stepped closer, putting a hand on his shoulder. It was then that I noticed he was wearing a leather jacket, one with his club logo on it. He’d said he wasn’t allowed to wear that anymore. What was going on?
“Elias–”
“I’m sorry, Simone! I don’t have time to explain right now! Call Skylar! She can tell you what’s happening!”
He backed up more, careful not to get too close to me, but before he could drive away, I grabbed his jacket, leaning close enough that I could see more of his face hidden by his helmet.
“Promise me you aren’t going to do anything reckless. Those kids need you, Elias. They need to come first.”
He nodded once, leaning in to press a quick kiss to my lips. “I promise, we’re not headed for a fight. I would never do anything to put you or the kids at risk. But there’s a girl missing. If we find her, this can all be over. Don’t wait up for me, okay? I’ll be back when I can.”
And then he was gone, roaring down the road on a motorcycle I’d never had a chance to see him ride, his shoulders tight with determination to see through whatever plan they’d come up with. I could only hope he’d come home safely.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
