Page 45 of Declan's Dove

“Thanks.” I clap his shoulder and push away from the table. “Carter. Come here, kid.”

Carter sets the dish he was drying down and walks over to where we are. I put my hand on his shoulder and give him a squeeze.

“I have some business to take care of out of town for a couple of days. Do you think you’ll be okay staying here with Liz and Caleb while I’m away?”

His shoulders slump and his eyes flash with fear.

“I-is everything okay? Is it Mama?” he asks, his voice low.

“No buddy, it’s just work shit, but I’ll be back soon. Your mama might make it home before I do. But in the meantime, you can hang out here and let Liz spoil you stupid.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and his smile grows.

“Yeah. Okay. I’ll be fine.” Carter steps back, turning toward the sink. He looks over his shoulder and says, “You promise to come get me when you get back?”

I feel like an asshole for leaving him behind after his mama just did the same thing, but I need to get to Violet and find out what the hell is going on and why she ran. But I can’t tell him any of that. He’s just a kid. He shouldn’t be worrying about adult shit.

“You have my word,” I tell him, and I mean it. “I’ll be back for you. Maybe when I get back, I’ll take you and your mama out for dinner and a movie. What do you say?”

“I get to pick the movie.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

“Deal.” I smile. As I make my way to the door, I turn back and call out, “Hey, Carter.”

When he turns his attention back to me, I tell him, “No bro code shit while you’re with Liz and Caleb. You got me?”

Carter smiles widely and nods. “Yeah, I know. Hawk already warned me Miss Liz is a snitch.”

Liz’s jaw drops. “That little shit!” Liz shouts, and both Caleb and I laugh.

I waste no time getting to my house and packing an overnight bag. I grab a few extra t-shirts, boxers, and an extra pair of sweats. I don’t know what I’m walking in to, but I don’t have time to get to Violet’s place and grab her shit. I need to get on the road. GPS shows the address Kayce sent is about thirty minutes from my place. If I get on the road now and haul ass, I’ll still get there on time.

I take my duffle bag and grab my spare gun from the nightstand and an extra clip. Once I’ve got all my shit, I head out to the truck and get on the road.

I follow the GPS up a long, winding dirt road through the trees. Wherever this house is, it’s well off the main road, tucked back into the woods. Along the road, I pass an old deer blind and a small wooden shack that looks like it could be an outhouse.

Where the fuck am I?

About ten more minutes along the same dirt road and an old log cabin comes into view. There are no other vehicles. The only sign anyone is here is the fact Kayce is sitting on the front step with a beer in his hand, watching as I pull into the drive.

I park my truck near the far corner of the porch, get out, and stroll over to where Kayce is now standing with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face.

“You’re late, Shamus,” he calls out.

“I wasn’t sure what I was driving up to. Slowed down in case there was anyone along the path,” I answer.

Kayce laughs. “You think I have a sniper team in the trees waiting for your sorry ass?”

I shrug. “Never know.” My tone is serious. Kayce reads my expression and nods.

“I don’t work for them anymore and I sure as shit wouldn’t kill the man who saved my life. My guys aren’t here. I had Tate drop me off, then disappear into town. He doesn’t need to be here for this meeting, and we have another client we need to see this evening. He’ll be back to get me before then,” Kayce explains. When I reach the porch, he steps down and we give each other a hug. “It’s good to see you, man.”

“I wish I could say the same.”

“Asshole.” Kayce pulls out of our embrace, laughing. “Come on. Let’s go inside and I’ll tell you what you want to know.” He glances down at his watch. “We have about two hours before our guests arrive.”

“Guests?” I ask. “I thought you said no one else needs to be here for this conversation.”

“No. I said Tate didn’t need to be here.” He smirks. “Let’s grab a beer. You’re going to need it.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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