Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(43)

She didn’t look convinced, but she did nod at both of them.

“Are you packed?” Owen asked.

“Yes. I couldn’t get everything into only one suitcase each. I have five between me and Troy.”

Owen smiled. “That’s fine. Where is he?”

“I haven’t gotten him up yet. If we’re ready, I’ll go do that.”

“Do you need help?” Owen asked.

“No.”

When she left, Owen turned to Jax. “What are you going to do now?”

“Get this house fixed,” Jax said. “Now that Addy’s out of here, I’ll put another call in to the FBI’s art crime division. They can come take out any of the pieces here that are hot. Better that than having them used as target practice.”

“Good,” Owen said. “There was a lot of stolen artwork in King’s Warren. I wondered if the art here was as well.”

Jax nodded. “Then I have to track your dad down.”

Owen shook hands with him. “I want to know when you do. You know where to find us.”

Jax grinned. “That I do.”

Addy came downstairs a few minutes later with a sleepy Troy in tow. Owen and the guys met her in the foyer. Troy came over and leaned against Owen’s leg, then looked up at Max and Val nervously. Owen stroked his head. “These are my friends Val and Max. Ready to ride in the helicopter?”

Troy glanced at his mom. She nodded and gave him a smile, so he nodded up at Owen.

“It’ll be fun,” Owen said. “And when we land, you’ll be at my home. There are kids there.”

Again he nodded, still too sleepy to do much talking.

“Bye, sis,” Jax said as he hugged Addy. “I’m here if you need me.” He kissed her cheek, then stepped back. Owen read the worry in his face. He nodded at his friend.

Spencer opened the front door. “Do you need help with the luggage, sir?”

“No, we’ve got it.” Owen and Val picked up two suitcases. Max picked one up and grabbed Troy.

“Noooo!” Addy screamed, lunging for her son.

Instantly, Owen realized what was happening, but neither of his guys did. Owen set her suitcases down and took Troy from Max, then pulled Addy close. Her eyes were wild, her face pale. “Easy,” he whispered. “Everyone’s safe. It’s okay. Max is one of us. I’ve got Troy. Let’s get out to the helipad.”

Owen caught the look Val and Max exchanged, but there wasn’t time for an explanation. He kept his arm around Addy and led her outside. Max took the lead, carrying the suitcases Owen had set down. Jax carried the last suitcase as he and Val brought up the rear. In short order, they were loaded up and heading out.

Owen reached over and took Addy’s hand. She looked ready to jump out of her skin. He should have warned the guys not to go near her son. Panic had let her devils out—he could only imagine the similarities between seeing Max lift Troy and what had happened with Augie. He couldn’t wait to get back to Blade’s. She would be able to find a new normal there, in a place far less isolated. She’d have company if she wanted it. Troy would have Zavi and Casey to play with—and the pride boys as well.

Troy, meanwhile, had none of Addy’s angst. He was leaning as close to the window as he could get, excitedly pointing stuff out. The helicopter was too loud for Owen to hear what the boy was saying, but he smiled at everything Troy pointed out.



Owen helped Addy and Troy out of the helicopter at Blade’s. The guys took their bags. The helipad was in the back of the house in a clearing over by Eddie’s kennels. Apparently the entire household had been waiting, for when they neared the house, everyone spilled outside.

Owen picked Troy up and pulled Addy close. He didn’t want her overwhelmed, but it was already too late for that. Most of the team, their women, the children, and three dogs swarmed them. He made the introductions, though he knew it probably wouldn’t stick.

“Greer, go through our stuff downstairs, especially my phone and her devices,” Owen said. “Make sure we aren’t bringing something unexpected into the house.”

“You bet, boss.” Greer grinned as he took their bags. “Glad you’re back. Addy—welcome to our chaos.” Max went with him.

Owen set Troy down so he could meet the kids. They wanted to run off and play, but Addy wasn’t letting him out of her sight. “Not yet, Troy. We’ll get settled first.”

“But Mom—”

The mom glare she gave him would have put Owen in his place.

“Jim has your room all ready for you,” Eddie said. She looked at Owen. “It’s the one next to yours.”

The excitement over, everyone returned to what they were doing. Owen led Addy to her room. Troy and Zavi followed behind, moving slower because Rocco’s boy had to point out everything interesting along the way, like the movie room.



Addy’s room wasn’t as big as her old one, though it was nicely furnished in the decor of a western guest lodge. There was a short hallway between the closet and bathroom, then the room opened up to a spacious area with two double beds, a dresser, a desk, and a round table with four chairs in the corner. By the window, two leather armchairs sat facing the room, with a lamp table between them. It was a nice retreat, but without any of the gilded extravagance of the castle she’d just left. Earthy was the best adjective. And very masculine.