Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(111)

Ryker’s mouth dropped open.

Matt snorted. “Audrey is a sweetheart who’s nothing like her mother. She’s due in two months.”

“You’re gonna be an uncle,” Nate said with a grin.

Ryker lifted his eyebrows. An uncle? He smiled. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Nate sipped his glass.

Wow. Ryker tried to make sense of his past. “Heath just checked in. He finished helping in Cisco and then headed out to work on a case. I’m following him after I get Zara settled somewhere.”

“Speaking of which—” Matt started.

“No.” Ryker took a deep drink. “Not right now.”

Nate lifted an eyebrow. “You two fighting already?”

“No,” Ryker said, pausing when a figure paused at the bottom of the stairs.

Chance moved into the room, all grace, all young muscle, to reach Ryker. He held out a hand. “I’m Chance. I guess we’re all family.”

Ryker stood and studied the kid. He had gray eyes and Matt’s jawline. What the hell. Ryker drew him in for a hug. “It seems like we all hug.”

Chance hugged him back. “You get used to it. Sometimes they get a little girly, but what are you gonna do?” He leaned back. “Thank you for keeping Greg safe.”

“He’s family.” Jesus. Now Ryker sounded like Matt.

Chance snorted. “He’s good, too. Just asked if I was gonna give him some space or spoon him to sleep.”

Ryker grinned. “Smart-ass.”

“Yeah.” Chance sobered. “He likes you, and he really likes your lady.”

Ryker paused. “We like him, too.”

“But he’s coming to Montana and not staying with you. Period.” Chance’s gaze hardened, and he looked exactly like Jory.

Ryker slowly nodded. “Agreed.” Based on the security measures he’d just heard about, the Montana ranch was the safest place for the kids, especially since Dr. Madison was still gunning for them.

“Maybe you should relocate there?” Chance said.

“I’m working on that,” Matt chimed in.

“Good.” Chance turned and headed for the stairs. “I think I’ll go spoon the smart-ass.” He disappeared.

Jory chuckled. “We may hear more furniture breaking soon.”

Matt shrugged. “It’s just furniture.”

Ryker sat back down and swirled his drink in its glass. “First, I have to tell you that Madison said she has genetic material she’s digging up to use in a new lab that’s almost ready.”

The men around him went still.

He winced. “Thought you should know.” They had to stop her.

“We have to take her down,” Matt breathed. “Fast.”

“Yeah,” Ryker said quietly. “Second, right now the kids are our top priority, and I know you agree with me.”

Matt’s brows drew down. “Sure. What’s your point?”

“Madison and Cobb are coming for us as soon as they regroup, and as soon as we catch the serial killer Heath is chasing, I think it’s time we went after them.” Ryker sat back, calculating the odds. “I’m tired of running. Our company, Lost Bastards Investigative Services, finds lost people, and I want to put all of our resources into finding Cobb and ending this once and for all.”

Shane leaned forward from an overstuffed chair, his elbows on his knees. “You can’t do that from Montana?”

“No.” He shook his head. “There’s a chance we’ll be discovered and they’ll track us. You know that. We can’t be located at your ultimate safe house at that time. It’s too dangerous for the kids.” He took a deep breath. “And your women, one of whom is pregnant.” Plus, Denver and Heath still needed to trace their pasts before settling in a safe place. “I’m not saying no forever, but for now, it’s too dangerous.”

“Where will you be?” Jory asked while the other two remained silent.

“Somewhere safely away from Montana.” Ryker finished his drink and stood.

Matt eyed him. “What’s your plan with Zara?”

Ryker took a deep breath. “I’ll let you know.” He turned and headed across the living room toward the master bedroom.

“Good luck, man,” Matt said. “She’s one hell of a woman, jumping into the helicopter to save Greg like she did. He told us the whole story while you were out cold.”

Ryker paused before opening the door. He turned around toward his new family. “I’m glad we found you guys.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and opened the door, shutting it quietly behind himself.

Zara sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone by her side. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulder, and her pretty eyes showed intelligence and a softness he wanted to drown in forever. “What a day, huh?”

He grinned. “That’s the understatement of the century.”

“Yeah.” She lifted her chin toward the phone. “Talked to Brock Hurst. He said he’s my lawyer now and that charges have been dropped against me. Also, he’s in love with a nurse.” She smiled.

“He just met the nurse.”

She shrugged. “Love happens quickly for some people. I told you he was a good guy.”