Page 47 of She's Mine

What was so damn important that he’d call me in the early hours of the morning, and spend the expense of having a private chopper pick me up? Those types of especially chartered flights didn’t come cheap and weren’t easy to organize on a moment’s notice.

That fact alone told me, whatever Jeffrey needed to see me about was of the uttermost importance.

There was a car already waiting for me when I touched down in the private airport in LA. From there it was just a short car journey to the J&J Security building in the central business district of downtown LA.

As it was still so early, no one was evenatthe office, and instead of being greeted by the receptionist Deborah, I found Jeffrey himself waiting for me in the lobby.

“Ah, good David, you’re the first one here. We’re still waiting on Scott and Pedro, but they were both hiding out a little further away.”

“What’s going on?” I demanded of my boss, already imagining the worst scenario in my mind.

“I don’t want to have to explain it more than once, so let’s just wait for the others. Just know all the members of the Blythe family are safe. For now.”

I didn’t like the addition of ‘for now’ and the only thought that gave me even a little peace of mind was that Alyssa would still be safely tucked up in bed.

I paced the lobby floor, waiting for Pedro and Scott to arrive, which thankfully didn’t takethatlong. Once all four of us were gathered together, Jeffrey led us up to his office.

“What I have to tell you might seem unbelievable. Trust me, I didn’t believe it when I first found out, either. But I’ve had the intel verified by multiple sources. Joseph Blythe is still alive.”

“What? How is this possible?” I asked.

“I don’t haveallthe information yet, my team is still working on that, but what we do know is thatheis now second in command of the Bloodline. That’s why the cartel was targeting the Blythe family directly. It was Joseph targetinghisfamily.”

“This changeseverything,” I said. “Do we have a location for Blythe now?”

“No, my informant didn’t have one. That’s what the team is currently working on. We figure if we can get our hands on Blythe, we can force him to give up the Bloodline’s leader, Tomas Hernández. Once Hernández is arrested, then the rest of the gang will quickly fall without their leader.”

“Butwhyis he even doing this?” Scott asked. “Commissioner Blythe didn’t mention much about his son, but it’s clear the man is still deeply troubled by his death.”

“What I want to know is, how was Joseph Blythe alive for these past ten years, and no one ever knew about it? Wasn’t there a body? An autopsy?” Pedro asked.

“I don’t know,” Jeffrey admitted, raking his hands through his short, salt-and-pepper hair. “We’re still trying to confirm all the details.”

While I wanted answers to the questions Pedro and Scott had asked, only one thing was at the forefront of my mind. “Are the members of the Blythe family even safe? Shouldn’t we get back to them?”

“As long as they remain in their secure locations, they will be safe,” Jeffrey assured us. “My intel is confident none of the members of the Bloodline have an inkling where Charles, Pamela and Alyssa are.”

“I’d still feel better if we were with them, doing our jobs.”

“I agree,” Jeffrey said, and I let out an audible gasp of relief. “Which is why I’ve got the choppers ready to take you all back to your secure locations as soon as possible. Cars will be arriving for you shortly. When you get back to your hideouts, I want you to each ask the member of the Blythe family that you’re guarding as much about Joseph as possible. Be honest with them -- tell them how important this is.”

“Won’t that worry them?” Pedro asked.

“Maybe, but they need to know what we’re all dealing with. And besides, they know -- or at least knew -- Josephfarbetter than any of us, or anyone on the team. They will have information we don’t. We need to work outwhyJoseph is targeting his family, where he might be, and what his next move could be.”

“Got it,” I replied, already imagining Alyssa’s reaction to learning her brother was alive, and the person against the attacks on her family. I knew she’d be heartbroken. She’d always spoken so fondly of Joseph, and it was clear his ‘death’ had left a hole in her life. To find out that it was not only a lie, but that he’d hidden from them for the past ten years and was now second in command of the very cartel she thought had murdered him, well, I was afraid that news might break Alyssa. She was a strong woman, no doubt about it, but she’d already been throughso much. Learning the truth about Joseph might be the final straw.

The only consolation I felt was the fact I’d be the one to tell her, and I’d be there to comfort her. I’d help Alyssa get through these complicated feelings no matterwhat.

When Jeffrey got a call to inform us that the cars to take us to the airport had arrived, I practicallyracedout of his office.

“I’ll call you once I’m back at the cabin, and have spoken to Alyssa,” I called, as I rushed to the elevator.

Scott and Pedro were only a few paces behind me, and together, the three of us rode down to the lobby in tense silence.

As we stepped out of the J&J Security building, to the cars waiting for us, Pedro laid his hand on my shoulder.

“I get it, David, I’ve grown fond of Pamela too.”

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