Claiming Felicity (Ace Security #4)(64)

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Felicity asked. “That Nate is even alive?”

“You’re just going to have to trust me now, aren’t you?”

“Trust you?” Felicity asked, the disbelief easy to hear in her tone. She struggled to hold back her words, remembering that she wasn’t supposed to antagonize Joseph, but she couldn’t hold back anymore. “You’ve done nothing but make my life hell for the last ten years. Why would I trust you now?”

“Because!” Joseph yelled. “I’m a man! Bitches lie, not real men. All women know how to do is fucking lie. You open your mouth and lies come spewing out. You have no integrity, and you’re all fucking weak. You’ll show up in three hours, or that precious baby will never know his parents. He’ll grow up never knowing his real name or that he’s got a twin out there somewhere.”

Obviously hearing Felicity’s gasp, he said, “That’s right, Megan. I’ve got him stashed somewhere safe, and you’ll never see him again if you don’t follow my directions to the letter. Show up by yourself, bitch, or poor little Grace will never see her baby again.”

And with that, Joseph hung up.

There was silence in the room for a second before Grace sobbed.

Logan took his wife in his arms, doing what he could to console her, but kept his eyes on Ryder and Felicity.

Ryder clicked on the icon on the phone to shut it off and dropped his arms. Felicity shivered with the loss of his body heat, but he immediately turned her to face him.

“You aren’t going up there by yourself,” he said.

“Damn straight I’m not,” Felicity returned.

He blinked, and Felicity knew she’d surprised him. “I don’t want to be anywhere near Joseph Waters,” she told him. “He’s batshit crazy, killed my mom, doesn’t give a shit about any woman, and wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. So yeah, I’m not going to go up to the middle of the Colorado wilderness and meet with the man who I’ve been running from for the last decade by myself. I know he said I should come alone, but he seriously can’t really think I’ll actually do it.”

“But, he said he wouldn’t tell you where Nate was if you weren’t alone,” Grace gasped from next to them.

Ryder answered her before Felicity could. “He’s not going to tell her where your son is even if she does show up by herself. He’s going to need to be convinced.”

“And how are you going to do that?” Bailey asked. She’d been quiet up until now, but the question was a good one.

Felicity looked up at the man she loved with all her heart. She hated that she’d brought Joseph Waters into her best friend’s life, but if anyone could help end the reign of terror he’d held over her for all her adult life, and get her godson back in the process, it was Ryder.

“My friend Black is one hell of an interrogator. He won’t have any problem getting info from a coward like Joseph Waters. That asshole has had everything handed to him on a silver platter. It’s one of the reasons why he’s acting like a spoiled little kid when it comes to Felicity. The stunts he’s pulled over the last week have been more annoying than truly threatening. But he’s stepped over the line by taking Nate. Rex is pissed. And the head of the Mountain Mercenaries isn’t a man you want on your bad side.”

Ryder turned to Grace then. “We’re going to find Nate,” he told her with absolute conviction.

“I’m going with you guys,” Logan said.

“Me too,” Nathan piped up.

Ryder nodded. “We’ll pick Blake up on our way north as well.”

Felicity looked from Ryder to the Anderson brothers. The vibe in the room was intense, but she had no doubt that with the four men at her back, Joseph Waters would soon not be a problem anymore.

“We’ll talk about strategy on the way up there,” Logan said. “We only have three hours. We need to get going.”

Ryder nodded. Then he walked over to Grace, stopped in front of her, and brought a hand up to the infant in her arms. He leaned over to speak into Ace’s ear. “I’ll find your brother, Ace. I swear on it.”

As if the infant could understand his uncle’s words, he waved his little arms in the air and cooed.

Felicity let the tears fall then. Ryder had so many facets to his personality, and she was in love with every single one. The considerate side that always treated her with respect. The romantic side that could make love to her for hours without a thought to his own satisfaction. The lusty side that took her how he wanted in whatever position he wanted. The hard side that she knew wouldn’t hesitate to use deadly force if it meant keeping her safe. And finally, the tender side that took the time to reassure a little baby that he’d bring his twin back safe and sound. He’d make a wonderful father. An amazing husband. She wanted him. All of him.

Her tears dried as her resolve strengthened. Joseph wouldn’t take Ryder away from her. No way. “Come on,” she said, her voice husky. “Let’s go end this once and for all.”





Chapter Eighteen

Ryder’s 370Z bounced on the dirt road. They’d turned off Route 6 onto the sad semblance of a road. He could feel the rocks scraping the underside of his sports car, but he didn’t even flinch. He could replace the car. All his focus was on the upcoming confrontation.