“They say that you find love when you least expect it.”
“I didn’t expect you,” I whisper. Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. “I love you, Hollis Taylor. We’re in this together, and I promise you that I won’t let him near you.”
“Milo.” My son’s name is said with so much reverence.
“It’s all going to work out.” I say the words and will them to be true. I do have some connections, favors I can call in, but will they be enough? We don’t even know this guy’s name, just the general location, and that he’s on the force. We’re going to have to lure him to us, and that has danger written all over it. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe there is another way.
She nods. “I love you too. So much that if I think for one minute that you or that precious little boy is in harm’s way, I’ll leave. I would never risk either of you.”
“Hey, now. None of that. You said that you trusted me.”
“I do trust you, Colt. I also know that if something ever happened to either of you, I would never forgive myself.”
“It’s not going to come to that,” I assure her.
“So, what do we do now?”
“It’s late. We should get to bed. Milo will be up bright and early, and we need to get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll take what I know and make some calls. We’ll see where that leads us and take it from there.” Tapping her leg, I smile as she climbs off my lap, and I follow her. In my room, we strip out of our clothes, and she grabs a T-shirt from my drawer to sleep in. Together, we climb under the covers, and she snuggles up to my side.
“I love you,” I say, kissing the top of her head. It feels good to say those words to her. I’ve never felt this way about a woman, and I’ll be damned if some crooked fucking cop is going to take her away from me.
“I love you too,” she says over a yawn.
I hold her until her breathing changes, and I know she’s asleep before I let myself drift off too.
It’s been four days since Hollis told me her story. Four days since I told her I was in love with her. Four days of restless nights as I analyze every angle and every option to keep her safe. I made a few calls to a few military connections, but there is mandatory training for them through this weekend. So, really all we can do is wait. I want to go to the local police, but this is Missouri, not California, and so far, there have been no real threats made. I’ve replayed the story over and over in my mind, and I don’t understand why they didn’t have someone watching the shelter. They obviously knew she slept there that night. Something is not adding up. Do they know where she is? Is he just trying to scare her to keep her away? Are they just biding their time? I have so many questions. I’ve been on high alert, making sure the alarm is set at night when we sleep, and all the doors and windows are secure. Not that I didn’t do that before, but I’m vigilant about double and triple-checking.
“You know, you don’t have to do this,” I tell Hollis as she puts on her coat.
“Do what? Spend the day with Milo, Gabby, and your mom? That’s not exactly a hardship, Colton.”
“I know, but you could come with me. Both of you.”
“Let’s see. Hang out at a sweaty gym all day or hang out with two women who are a joy to be around and this little guy.” She taps Milo on the nose with her index finger, and he grins, kicking his arms and legs where he sits on the kitchen table, all strapped into his car seat.
“I didn’t tell them, but we need to. It’s not fair to them to not know what’s going on.”
“Okay.” My face must show my shocked expression. She continues, “What? It’s nice to not have to keep it in, to have to hide it. Besides, I already told you if I have to leave to keep you all safe, I will. I agree that they need to know and to be alert. They need to be aware of their surroundings. I hate that I brought this to you and your family. It wouldn’t be fair of me to keep it from them at this point.”
My chest constricts at the thought of her leaving us. “We said no more leaving talk,” I remind her.
“We did.” She’s quick to agree. “You know my position.” She pretends to be zipping up her lips. “My lips are sealed on the topic from here on out, but I won’t stand by and let you all be in danger.”
“We’re already in this, Hollis. If they know where you are, they know who we are. We’re facing this together. There is no other option.” I give her a pointed look. “Right?”
She sighs. “Right. I hate this, Colt. I hate worrying all the time. I just want to… enjoy life with you and whatever that looks like.”
“That looks like forever.” I pull her into me and kiss her. Milo lets out a squeal. “I know, son, I know,” I tell him, making Hollis laugh. “Text me when you get to Mom’s.” I lean in for another kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I help her carry Milo out to her car and get his seat strapped in and watch them leave. Jogging back into the house, I grab my bag and lock up, heading to All Fit. I call Chase on the way.
“What’s up? Am I not going to see you in like ten minutes?” he asks.
“You are. Is Harrison coming in today too?”
“Yeah, we’re both here.”
“Good. I need to talk to both of you before we get started.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain when I get there.”
“Milo?” he asks.
“Is perfectly fine. He’s with Hollis heading to Mom and Dad’s.”
“All right, bro. I’ll see you when you get here.”
Eleven minutes later, I’m walking into the back door at All Fit. I head straight to the office that Harrison and Chase share. They both stare at me expectantly, waiting to hear what I have to say.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” I go on to tell them about Hollis. I explain the events of that night just as she had to me. Chase and Harrison sit quietly and listen, but I can tell from the expressions on their faces they are just as concerned as I am. “So, yeah,” I say when I’m finished. “That’s what’s been going on.”
“So, there have been no actual threats?” Harrison clarifies.
“No. Just messages through her website saying he found her, and he’s coming for her, those kinds of things. No physical threats of harm. Not yet.”
“Fucking dirty cop,” Chase mutters.
“I made a call to my old command sergeant. I had to leave him a message. They’re out in field training until Monday.”
“You called in the Army?” Harrison asks, eyes wide.
“Damn right, I did. I gave years of my life to this country, and if my family is in trouble, I’m calling in the best.”
“Can you do that?” Harrison asks, surprised.
“I don’t know,” I admit. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. “I don’t know if they can help, but maybe they can give me the contact of a person we know we can trust that can. Honestly, I’m reaching, and I know it. It’s the best I can do. The local police won’t do anything. There is no imminent threat, and the incident in question happened states away. There is really nothing to go on unless she goes back.”
“She might have to, Colt. How else are we going to lure this guy out?”
“Fuck, I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure this out, and I’m coming up empty.”
“Our wives and kids?” Harrison asks.
“Safe. Just be on alert. Check the doors at night, all those things.” I stop and take a deep breath. “Look, if this is too much, I can step away from the gym for a while. I don’t want to bring this asshole down on you and your families, but Hollis, she’s my family now. I protect those I love.”
“What can we do?” Chase asks.
“Nothing. Not right now. Just be aware. Talk to Gabby and Gwen, make them aware. Hollis might tell them today at Mom and Dad’s. I’m not sure.”
“When you know, you let us know,” Harrison says. “We’ll do whatever we can to keep her safe.”
“Than
k you. I just hate not really knowing what we’re dealing with. Her best friend, Tina, still lives there. I might have Hollis reach out to her, maybe have her visit the shelter, and see if anyone has been asking around about Hollis. I just don’t know where to start.”
“Has she received anymore messages?” Chase asks.
“No. Not in the last few days, which is a good thing. At least I hope it is.” I really don’t know what to think at this point. I feel like we’re going to be looking for a needle in a haystack unless this guy has found her and makes himself known, or if we put her in plain sight, making her easy to find. I’m not okay with either scenario. I just hope Sergeant Jones can give me some insight and guidance or a contact. Something.
My phone rings, and it’s Hollis. I hit Accept and place the phone to my ear. “Hollis,” I greet her. Chase and Harrison freeze to listen to my conversation.
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know we made it. Milo fell asleep on the way over. He’s sleeping in his room here at your mom’s place now.”
“Good.” I nod and give Chase and Harrison a thumbs up, letting them know everything is okay. “Have a good day.”
“You too. I’ll see you at home?”
“Yeah. Text me before you leave?”
“Oh, wait.” I hear her pull the phone away from her ear and talk, but I can’t make out what she’s saying or who she’s talking to. “Colt, your mom says that the three of you need to come here once you’re finished today. She’s going to have dinner ready.”
I chuckle. My mother is one of a kind. “Okay. I’ll let the guys know. I’ll call you when we’re on our way.”
“Sounds good.” The line goes dead.
“Well, it looks like we’ve all been summoned by Mom. Once we finish the staff education training today, she wants us all there. She told Hollis she would have dinner ready.”
“I’m in. My wife and daughter are there, and no way am I going to pass up your mother’s cooking,” Harrison says, rubbing his stomach.
“Let’s get this over with. I’m ready for some good eating.” Chase smacks his hand down on my shoulder and grins.
Together the three of us head toward the room where I hold my classes. Harrison thought it would be a good idea to have all the staff trained in the basics of self-defense. You can never be too careful. So, we chose today as a mandatory training day. Chase volunteered to help out, and since Harrison is following us to the room, it looks like he is going to help as well. Good. The sooner we finish this class, the sooner we can get home to our families.
Damn, do I love the sound of that.
Chapter 14
Hollis
This is what I’ve been missing.
It was me, my mom, and sometimes my grandma for the longest time. Small gatherings, intimate meals, no big celebrations, even though we always celebrated our accomplishments. But I’ve never had this. I’ve missed the big, boisterous family that’s too loud and too nosey, but that’s what I’m dealing with as I sit around the Callahans’ dining room table and listen to them share stories of when Chase and Colton were younger.
“Of course it was about a girl!” Chase hollers. “He knew she liked me!”
“She thought you were cute, like a puppy. Ellie Jacobs was interested in a man, not a boy,” Colton boasts proudly, rubbing his chest.
“Man? You were sixteen. The other one hadn’t even dropped yet,” Chase argues, making everyone laugh.
Colton leans back, his arm extended over the backrest of my chair. His thumb lazily draws circles below my shoulder blade, spreading awareness through my blood. Although, I’m always aware of Colton. “But you were fourteen. What were you going to do, give her a ride on the handlebars of your bike?” he teases.
“You’re a dick,” Chase mumbles, taking a drink of his iced tea, and again, drawing laughter from everyone at the table.
“You boys were always fighting over girls back then,” Connie says, shaking her head.
“It’s not my fault they all wanted the younger Callahan,” Chase tells his mom.
“They wanted you like they wanted a rash,” Colton mumbles.
“Speaking of rashes,” Harrison says, glancing over at Colton with an evil gleam in his eyes.
“Uh, no. We’re not going there,” Colton states, drawing a line on the table.
Harrison and Chase burst out laughing. “How did you get the chickenpox again?” Harrison asks, ignoring that invisible line Colton just laid down.
“Fuck you,” he whispers, making everyone giggle.
“I don’t think I’ve heard this one,” Gabby says, her hand rubbing circles on her belly.
“And you’re not going to,” Colton replies, turning and looking at me. “You ready to go?”
I glance over at his younger brother and have to admit, I’m really curious. “Actually…”
Chase and Harrison laugh, while Colton just closes his eyes and groans. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”
“Nope. Just tell the story, big brother. Tell your girlfriend all about how you got chickenpox in high school.”
“What was her name again? Cori? Candy? Clarissa?” Harrison asks.
Colton is silent for a second before he confirms, “Calena.”
“Ahh, yes, that’s it. Calena,” Harrison says, proudly bouncing his daughter on his knee.
“Calena gave my brother the chickenpox,” Chase tells me, a wide smile on his face. “Tell her where, Colt.”
“Yeah, Colt, tell her where,” Harrison chimes in as if they’re a comedic duo telling a big joke.
“Mom doesn’t want to hear this,” Colton insists.
Connie laughs. “Mom’s already figured this out, Colton.”
Colton’s dad, Wes, sets his tea glass down and adds, “Besides, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. I mean, you had chickenpox on your peter….”
I gasp and glance at a mortified Colton. “Seriously?”
Gabby giggles. “She gave you chickenpox down under?”
Colton holds up his hands. “I can’t believe we’re talking about this at the dinner table. And in front of my son,” he argues, glancing over at Milo, who’s sitting in the high chair, happily gnawing on a cold teether.
“Leave him out of it,” Chase contends, “and just tell your girlfriend about your itchy peter.”
“You have to tell the story now, Colt. These two will never let it go. Or worse, they’ll tell the story how they want to,” Gwen says, a knowing grin on her face. She knows her husband and his best friend well. Even I know they’ll tell the story with tons of embellishments, all not very flattering to Colton. That’s what little brothers do, right?
“Fine,” he grumbles, looking down at his empty glass—anywhere but at us around the table. “I was seventeen and dating a girl name Calena. She didn’t know yet she had chickenpox,” he says, glancing my way.
“And I take it, she gave them to you,” I deduce, not wanting to draw out his misery anymore.
“On his little willy,” Chase bellows with a laugh.
“It’s not so little. I got all the good Callahan genes,” Colton argues, giving his brother a smug grin.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Gabby chimes in as she fights her own smile. The way she looks at her husband tells me all I need to know about something I really don’t want to know anything about.
“That’s right, baby,” Chase croons at his wife and nods.
“Tell them,” Colton says, and I realize he’s talking to me.
“What?” I gasp, my eyes surely bugging out of my head.
“Tell them who clearly is packing the heat below the belt,” Colton instructs, leaning back with his own smug grin.
“I will not!” I insist, my eyes connecting with his parents. I can feel the blush already taking over my face.
“The blush says it all,” Colton tells his brother as he pulls me into his side and kisses my forehead.
“Anyway,” Chase interrupts, “as my delusional brother was saying, he got
itchy dick from his girlfriend, but didn’t realize it was the pox until Mom had to take him to the doctor.”
Colton groans. “We’re back on this?”
Chase just looks at his brother. “We never left it, Colt. You just tried to distract us with talk about your little dick.”
“Wait, you went to the doctor?” Gabby asks, her eyes dancing with humor.
“Oh, I had to take him. It was about three or four days later when he started a rash,” Connie says, telling the rest of the story. “I caught him discretely scratching his area several times, and I was afraid it was something else.”
“Crabs,” Chase adds.
Connie nods. “You never know, and I wasn’t going to let my son have a crab infestation.”
“Jesus,” Colton mumbles, rubbing his forehead. “It wasn’t crabs, okay?”
“Well, we know that now, don’t we?” she says to her son. Then, she looks at me and adds, “We didn’t know it at the time. I suspected he had something going on down below because he started to get a rash on his thighs and lower stomach, so I took him to the doctor to get a prescription. I didn’t want him spreading crabs to the family through the toilet seat.”
“It was chickenpox! I had it everywhere, not just on my groin!” Colton hollers, startling Milo in his high chair. The baby starts to fuss, but when Colton goes to take him out, he starts to reach for me. Colton just glances my way, a small smile playing on his lips as he nods for me to step in and take the fussy baby.
“Anyway, it turns out it was just chickenpox,” Connie confirms, “and they just had to run its course, but they appeared all over his chest and arms pretty quickly too.”
“I kept him home for three days,” Wes adds. “It was horrible watching your son scratch all day long.”
“And Calena was out too since she had them all over her body,” Chase chimes in.
I start to stand and gently sway with Milo against my chest. He reaches up and grabs my hair but doesn’t pull it. He just wraps his little hand around a strand and holds it.
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