“What do we do now?” I asked.
Will took a seat on the arm of the couch across from us. “I think for now, we focus on your connections. Troy and Jace, I would like it if you stayed home for a while. Remy, I don’t want you travelling to your restaurants out of state, not unless you all go.”
Troy nodded. “I already have Leo as my point man. I’m going to do what I can, when I can, at home.”
“I’ve already submitted a leave of absence at school,” Jace said. “Maybe it’s time I came home as well and take a position at the Academy.”
Will nodded in agreement. “You know we can always find you a position somewhere. The elementary school’s music program is a bit rudimentary, we can focus on that.”
“Does that mean I’m coming…home?” I asked hesitantly. “What are our plans with Collin?”
Will looked at us in contemplation. “We have some decisions to make. I’m not sure he’ll be safe on his own. I was thinking about handpicking a security detail to accompany you to your classes. Including Collin, Noah, and Drake.” When Noah went to protest, Will held up his hand. “Just until your connection is complete.”
“So, what are you waiting for?” Jemmy looked at us. I hadn’t noticed that everyone had gathered around us.
I blushed and ducked my head. “It’s not that easy.” I turned and grabbed Troy’s hand. “There was definitely something there before, but…”
“We need to get to know each other again,” Troy stated as he squeezed my hand.
“Is security going to be with me at my apartment?” Collin looked worried.
“I was thinking,” Will looked at all of us. “Maybe you can temporarily move in with us…”
Some of the guys reluctantly nodded, and although I was still angry at him for having a hand in screwing up our lives, in a way I should be thanking him and Horatio. Troy was a happier man knowing no one had to suffer at the hands of his foster brother. Time had been changed, and that had given me the opportunity to enlist Judge Myer’s help. Plus, the relationship I had with Noah was stronger now. We got to know each other on a deeper level. His insecurities with sharing me hadn’t had time to imbed itself in his psyche.
Chapter 14
The drive to Lewes, Delaware was about an hour south from the airport. As we pulled up into the quant beach town, I could understand why they had chosen this location. It was quiet. The tourist season was over. There would be very little people, if any, in the cottages. The closer we got, the more anxious I became.
We finally pulled up in front of the cottage down the street in our black Tahoes. Will turned in the front seat and looked at me. “Can you try to communicate with Alex? See what we’re up against?”
“I can try,” I nodded. Noah squeezed my hand reassuringly. Troy and Remy exited the vehicle with me, and we made our way closer to the house.
“Alex,” I called out to my brother mentally. I waited a few minutes before calling out to him again. “Alex, can you hear me?” A few more moments passed, and I was starting to get discouraged.
“Blake?” a small voice asked hesitantly.
I grinned, close to tears at the relief I felt. “Yes! Do you remember me?”
“Yeah,” he said in such an exasperated tone, I almost giggled. “I fell asleep with Ella on the couch watching a movie and I woke up at my dad’s. I thought you guys didn’t want me anymore,” he sounded sad.
“No, buddy, I-” I quickly reassured him, before he interrupted me.
“I know that now,” he piped up. “Are you here to get me?” he asked hopefully. “I have been trying to reach you, but you haven’t been answering me. I stopped trying to reach you. I thought maybe they got you, too.”
“I couldn’t, I’m sorry,” I explained to him. “I had a block on me and now I have my gifts back. Are you alone? Is there anyone with you?”
“There are three of us,” he explained. “And three guards left. They say they want to move me tonight. Horatio wants to meet me.”
“Well we’re here now. What can those three people do?” I asked.
“Ready?” he asked, and without waiting for my consent, I was sucked inside of his head. I was able to see that Alex was sitting on the couch with two other young teens. They were all sitting on the couch bound, watching some Disney Channel show.
Two men were sitting at a table playing poker, smoking. The ashtray beside them filled with cigarette butts.
“The fat guy keeps pushing me to find out my gift,” Alex explained. “He keeps trying to make me tell him the truth, but he’s not strong enough,” Alex scoffed. “He knows I’ve been lying to him. The bald guy is like Ella, but he only see’s minutes into—" He stopped as the bald guy suddenly stood up, his chair clattering to the floor.
“They’re here!” he exclaimed, nervously looking around. Both men withdrew guns from the holsters at their hips.
“Let’s go,” said another man who came into the room. He picked up the two teens like they weighed nothing.
“Blake!” Alex called out in panic as the fat guy picked him up.
I pulled myself away from him and looked over at Troy and Remy. “They know we’re here.”
I started to run towards the house as the guys yelled my name. Remy caught up to me and hurled himself through the front door before I could warn him about the guns. I barely had time to set the forcefield around him to deflect the bullets. Troy came into the house. The man not holding Alex engulphed into flames. His terrified screams of pain pierced through the air. The guy who held Alex started to make a run for it, while the other man quickly dropped the teens and pushed him out of the way. I could see the fear in his eyes, and I knew he didn’t think the teens were worth the risk of his life.
“Stop,” I compelled the man who held Alex. “Gently put him down,” I insisted.
He put him down, as Jace, Jaxson, Noah, and Drake came running into the house. Alex quickly got up and launched his little body into my arms.
“Blake!” he cried in relief as he squeezed me. “I was waiting for you!”
“You promised to not get involved,” Noah gently admonished me.
“Did anyone get the other guy?” I asked, ignoring him. I felt somewhat comforted that Alex looked fed and clean.
“Pops, Gavin, and Collin are taking care of him,” Drake explained to me. It was the first time he had talked to me since the hospital.
I turned back to the fat man, who was bawling. “I didn’t know! I didn’t know!”
“Shut up,” I hissed. “Where are the restraints?” I asked the guys.
Jaxson pulled some out of his pocket as he knelt next to the guy. He restrained the guy as Jace placed a comforting hand on the two young teens. I could see their fear abate as he placed his hands on them.
“We’re the good guys,” he explained to them. “Will you go with us, so we can help you get back to your parents?”