Page 55 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

“You think Kane took her? Couldn’t she have simply gone out?” Bess asks.

“Her phone was left behind, and there were dirty dishes on the table, something Emma says Jessica would never leave the house without doing,” Jax interjects, his jaw tense with worry.

“It has to be Kane. He had men right outside the house,” Ty adds.

“We need you to tell us how to find Kane,” I insist frustratedly.

Bess looks at me sternly, folding her arms. “So you can go kill him?”

“So we can rescue Max, who knows what they might do to him.”

“And kill Kane in the process, ruining an entire FBI operation and spending the rest of your life in jail for that fucker,” Bess replies bluntly.

“It will be worth it to get Max back safely,” I replied stubbornly.

“Or you could assist the FBI in taking Kane down. We’d get Max back safely and with yours and Ty’s testimony, pluseverything else we have on him, he’d never get out. Emma and Max would be safe, and you’d be free.”

I hate the idea of relinquishing control to the slow, bureaucratic process of the law. If we’re too late or they don’t do what’s necessary to stop Kane and protect Max, I’d never forgive myself.

As if she can read my mind, Bess adds, “Mace. I want to help get Max back safely, truly I do. But we have to do this the right way. The FBI probably already knows where Kane is and how to find him, but they won’t tell me, not when they know I’m likely to tell you and you’d go screw up their case by turning vigilante. This is the only way I can help. You have to cooperate. Both of you,” she says, turning her attention to Ty.

“If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it,” Ty responds determinedly. “I’m not letting anything happen to another kid on my watch.”

“Kane hasn’t issued a ransom yet. Surely if he took Max for the money, he’ll do that?” Jax chimes in.

“That’s a good point, he’d give a pick-up location, and we could go intercept the exchange,” I reply, wanting to get to Kane myself.

“There are so many ways that could go wrong. The Feds are still better equipped to help even if he does send a ransom,” Bess reasons.

“Doesn’t every kidnapper ever say the one thing you shouldn’t do is involve the cops?” Jax says dubiously.

“Exactly,” I agree.

“How long does it take kidnappers to usually issue a ransom?” Ty asks Bess, his brow furrowed.

“It varies. They’d want to get the victim to a secure location first.”

“So Emma could get a call any minute now, we should wait,” I reply.

I desperately need to feel in control of the situation, to be able to be the one to get Max rather than entrusting his life into the hands of strangers.

“We shouldn’t waste any more time than necessary,” Bess huffs.

“We should see what Emma wants,” Ty says.

“Emma just wants her son back,” Jax says glumly.

“Look, how about I at least put some feelers out, make some calls, and see what I can find out before we agree to anything more concrete?” Bess concedes.

“Fine,” I agree realizing that some help is better than nothing, at least until we hear the ransom demands, perhaps we can find Kane first.

I never wanted a family, not after the childhood that I had. But since meeting Emma and Max I know now that my past doesn’t define me. That I could be everything a father and partner should be for Max and Emma. I will do anything to protect them.

The guys and I sit in tense silence, unsure what to do or say. I don’t like feeling powerless. My legs twitch with restlessenergy and pent-up frustration. If I could find Kane and kill him right this second, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

After what felt like forever but can’t have been long, Bess comes back.

“So, I spoke with some friends and pulled some strings. No luck getting any info on Kane, they know about my connection with you and unless you’re willing to play ball and testify against him at trial, they won’t budge.”

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