Nick glanced into the room where Bubba and Mark were. Guilt gnawed at him as he saw Mark’s condition. They were both innocents who’d been caught in the cross fire of his screwed-up life.
Kody and Xev were right. His enemies would never take mercy on him. It was why he had to be so careful who he allowed into his circle. Ever on guard of those he loved best.
So long as he was around them, they were all in danger. And only a tiny handful of them really knew why. The rest, out of necessity, had to be kept in the dark.
Xev came outside. “So what’s our next move?”
Before Nick could answer, his phone rang again. It was Caleb’s number. Worried his condition had worsened, he clicked it on to find Livia on the other end. “What is it?”
“I found her, Nick.”
“What?”
“Your mom. I just got her home for you, and put her to bed. She’s asleep, with no idea what happened to her.”
Relief slapped him so hard, he staggered back from it. “What? How?”
“I played a hunch and it turned out to be right.”
Nick pulled Kody against him and let out a nervous laugh. “Liv found my mom. She took her to the condo. They’re there now.”
“Oh, thank goodness! Is she okay?”
“Yeah.” For the first time since he’d left school, he felt good again. “Thanks, Livia. I owe you.”
“Think nothing of it. I won’t let her out of my sight until you get here. Believe me, nothing’s going to happen to her on my watch. You can trust me.”
“Again, thanks. I’ll be home soon.” Nick hung up and stuck his head back into the room to let Bubba and Mark know.
“Thank you, Jesus,” Mark breathed. “That’s the best news I’ve heard since the garage told me my Jeep wasn’t doomed from that electrical fire I started with my cell phone wire that short-circuited.”
While that might sound odd to most, that was a testament of supreme love from Mark, who had an unnatural attachment to his old, beat-up Jeep.
Bubba ruffled Nick’s hair. “How you holding up?”
“Much better now that I know she’s safe, at home. You?”
“Much better now that I know I’m not going to prison for first-degree murder for killing whoever took her.”
Nick laughed. “I hear you.”
Bubba nudged him toward the door. “Y’all go on. I know you want to check on your ma as soon as possible. See her with your own eyes. Tell her I’ll be over to bug her as soon as I get Mark home and tuck him in.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Mark said sarcastically. “Can you mop the drool off my chin, too, while you’re at it?”
Bubba ignored him. “You need any money for a cab?” he asked Nick.
“Nah, we got it. Stay in touch.”
“You, too.”
Heading out, Nick texted Kyrian and Acheron to let them know that everything was okay on the home front.
You sure? Kyrian texted back.
All good. Mom’s safe at home. It was a false alarm.
Good to hear it. I’ll pass it along to the Squires. Let me know if you need anything else. Rosa’s on standby, too.
Thanks, boss. As Nick started to slide his phone into his pocket, he got a text from Acheron, asking about his mom. He paused in the hallway to answer. I’m on my way to check on her.
AR. Keep me posted. PN. There’s an ill wind blowing. Keep it at your back, Cajun. Call if you need anything. Pax.
Nick returned his phone to his pocket as another weird feeling went through him. One that raised the hairs on the back of his neck again.
For a second, he thought he saw another zeitj?ger as the time on the clock showed 11:34.
Kody frowned. “You okay?”
“Strange feeling in my gut.”
“I’m really learning to dislike that phrase.”
Yeah, he wasn’t a big fan of it, either.
She held her hand out to him and Xev. “Let’s go see Cherise.”
Nick placed his hand in hers and let her take him home. At first, he didn’t see or hear anything. The condo was completely still and quiet.
Only that special fissure in the air that was unique to a paranormal entity let him know that there was something out of place here. And since the only creatures who could penetrate the barriers were those he approved, he knew it had to be Livia.
Nick rushed to the bedroom to find his mom lying on her side in the bed, fast asleep. In jeans and a white blouse, Livia sat in the corner.
She smiled as soon as she saw him. “Ah, so glad you’re home. As you can see, she’s fine.”
Nick stopped her as Livia started to leave. “Wait.”
She rematerialized with an arched brow. “Yes?”
“Where did you find her? Who took her and why?”
Closing the distance between them, Livia placed her warm hand against Nick’s arm and whispered in his ear. “I hear things others don’t know I do. Even though I’m risking my life to return her to you, I owe you more than I can ever repay. It is my honor to serve you, Malachai. But if I were you, I would be very careful who I trust her with in the future. Who you put your faith in. You can never be too careful.”