Page 25 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

“Exactly!”

“I am a grown woman, I do not need to be babysat!” I chime in frustratedly. “Max is my son I have every right to be involved in finding out who is trying to take him from me.”

“It’s not safe for you or Max until we know who is behind it, leaving the safehouse is an unnecessary risk. Your brother put us in charge of taking care of you, which means doing as you’re told,” Mason insists jutting out his chin.

“If you think I’m going to just sit around like some damsel in distress while my son is in danger, you know nothing about me,” I reply, hands on hips glaring back at him despite the massive height difference between us.

“That is becoming abundantly clear,” Mason mutters before asking, “Do you really think Max is better off being left behind while his mom throws herself into danger?”

“Max is perfectly safe with Jessica,” I reply, though the truth in his question dampens my fire slightly.

“Is he?” Mason asks coolly, his tone implying that if something were to happen to Max while I’m gone the only person to blame is me.

“Mason,” Jax warns softly, sensing he’s gone too far.

All of a sudden, the crushing insecurity and certainty that I’m a terrible mother comes flooding back.

“He’s right. What am I doing here? I shouldn’t have let Max out of my sight. What if something happens to him?” I say, my body crumpling in defeat as I feel the bitter sting of tears rising.

A warm comforting hand is placed on my shoulder. “Nothing’s going to happen to him. I’m sure of it. Mason’s just being an ass,” Bess says comfortingly, shooting daggers at Mason who has the grace to look guilty.

I cringe realizing the whole confrontation occurred in front of a stranger I barely know, in her own home. “I’m sorry, Bess. First, we show up unannounced and then I make a scene,” I sniffle, embarrassed.

“Don’t apologize. You made the right decision coming here if you ask me. There are things you might be able to shed light on or clues you might give me without even realizing that may help us get to the bottom of this quicker than if you weren’t here. Mason’s just going all alpha on you because he doesn’t like it when people don’t do what he says,” she assures me with confidence.

Mason scowls back at her but to my surprise, he doesn’t comment on her observation.

“Please, come and sit with us. The guys have been filling me in on everything, but I’d love to hear it from your perspective and ask you a few questions,” she says, gesturing to the couch where Jax is sitting, looking uncertain of how to act, given the circumstances. “Mason, go grab us all some beers, will you?” she asks, though it’s definitely a command rather than a question.

To my surprise, Mason does as he’s told, sloping off to the kitchen and jerking his head at Ty to follow him. No doubt poor Ty is going to get a dressing down for bringing me here. I sit down and Jax gives me a small, comforting smile.

“I’m not sure how much help I will be. The guys and I have been running over possibilities again and again with mybrother and we’re still no closer to figuring it out,” I say, looking to Bess and wondering how this mysterious woman could possibly shed any further light on the situation.

“Forgive me for making you rehash this all again, but if you wouldn’t mind running through it one more time for me, I’d appreciate it,” Bess says, her tone that of a psychiatrist or experienced interrogator and I wonder again who this woman is exactly.

Several beers later, I’ve finally finished telling Bess everything and answering all her questions, with some interjections from the guys. Thankfully, Mason seems to have thawed since we arrived. No doubt in large part due to Bess’ good-natured teasing and affable nature. She somehow has the uncanny ability to put us all at ease while still keeping the conversation on track.

“So, what do you think?” I ask hopefully.

Bess ponders for a moment before asking, “Emma, does the name Victor Kane sound familiar to you?”

I consider for a moment, racking my brain. “Maybe? I don’t think so… but I’m not sure. Who is he?”

“He’s the head of an organized crime syndicate he has connections all over the West Coast, including San Diego. He’s known for giving desperate people loans with extortionate repayment rates that leave them forever in his debt. He then forces them to work for him to pay it off, if they can’t, he’s not above extreme methods, including kidnap for ransom. Is it possible your husband may have encountered him?” Bess asks, her tone gentle so as to not scare me unnecessarily.

But already my heart is hammering in my chest at the kind of man that could be trying to take my son.

If there’s a worst-case scenario, this is it.

“Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me. Adam was a complete addict, he’d sell his soul for more money to gamble. I’d hoped that the debts he’d left us in were it, but now I’m not so sure. I think if presented with an offer from someone unsavory he’d have taken it, despite the risks. The name Victor vaguely rings a bell,” I answer with a sigh, rubbing my face wearily. “Do you really think that this Victor guy would come after a widow and small child, four years after Adam’s death?”

Bess and the guys share knowing looks, she takes a breath choosing her words carefully. “Emma, Victor Kane is an extremely dangerous man. Yes, this is exactly the kind of thing he would do.”

“But I don’t have any money, what would he have to gain from this?”

Again, Bess speaks carefully. “Sometimes these guys simply need to send a message. That no matter what, you don’t get out of the debt, dead or alive. Emma, how did Adam die?”

“It was in a boating accident while he was visiting his mother in Mexico, she retired there long before Max was born,” I explain, wondering what Adam’s death has to do with it.

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