Page 35 of Securing His Family

“You did,” she said with a sympathetic smile. “I know I’m not who you were hoping for, but everyone is doing everything they can.”

Reed shifted, wincing at the sharp pain in his side. His leg wasn’t too bad, the only plus of a bullet going straight through. It hurt, but he had better movement than if the bullet had lodged or shattered a bone on impact. The pain momentarily took his mind off what Tabitha had said, but now that it died down he could think about it. “Where is everyone?”

“Andy just went to get some water. He…” Tabitha paused as the door opened and Andy walked in. The first thing Reed noticed was the right side of his face was bruised, his eye swollen almost shut. He looked as if he’d gone ten rounds in the boxing ring and hadn’t done anything to protect himself.

“I’m sorry, Reed. He got the jump on me as I was about to do a perimeter walk.” Andy met his eyes, his jaw tight as if he expected Reed to blast him for not protecting Charlee. One thing they all prided themselves on was their ability to protect the innocent. Any failure to do so cut deep.

“He did the same to me, too. For someone with no military training, he knows how to move without detection.” That was the thing that didn’t make sense to Reed. The guy had taken photos without anyone knowing or even seeing him. Now he’d surprised two well-trained military men. Especially Andy. When they were on missions, Andy always seemed to know what was happening before any of them did.

Andy shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe it had happened. “My instincts were screaming something was up so I got out of the car, and that’s when he struck. Didn’t even give me a chance before he clocked me in the jaw and then got another couple of hits in before using a tranquilizer on me. Considering what he did to you I should be lucky he didn’t silence me with a bullet.”

“He has to have had some special ops training at some stage. Yet none of that showed up in Wilt’s background check,” Reed mused, glad that his mind was a lot clearer than it had been the first time he’d woken up. “What’s the current situation?”

“I’ll leave you guys to it.” Tabitha stood and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I know you want to get out and find Lauren, but you also need to look after yourself. You’re no help to anyone if you collapse.”

“Taken on board,” Reed responded.

“But you’re a former SAS soldier, you’ll grit your teeth through the pain and get your girls.” Tabitha smiled ruefully.

“Got it in one.”

Tabitha’s expression turned fierce. “When you find that fucker, make him pay.” She didn’t wait for a response, just swept out of the room.

“She’s been around us too long,” Andy remarked, taking the seat Tabitha just vacated.

Reed chuckled. “Looks that way. Although I think she was tough before she met Steve and us.”

“Yeah. Reed, I’m?—”

“Don’t say sorry again. I know you would’ve done everything you could’ve to keep Charlee safe. I’m not blaming you at all. And I know Lauren won’t either. If I know her, and I think I know her well, she’ll be blaming herself that you got hurt because of her.”

“Not her fault,” Andy lobbed back.

“I know, but that’s who Lauren is.” He turned grim. “Tell me what you know.”

“The receptionist from the school called the office the second Lauren, Patrick and Charlee walked out. She said Lauren had mouthed ‘help’ to her and she could tell something wasn’t right. By then everyone at our office was already aware of what happened at your place and were mobilizing. Damon came and found me on the ground out cold.”

“And now?” he asked impatiently. Patrick had had Lauren and Charlee for too long. “What’s happening?”

“Steve called about half an hour ago to say that they think they’ve got a lock on their location.”

Reed gripped the sheets, wishing he was able to leap out of bed and go to them. “Shoulda led with that.”

Andy grimaced. “Wilt was able to track them through cameras and the car they were in. It’s not a new model but had been fitted with one of those tracking devices if stolen. Considering it’s still working, we can assume that Patrick doesn’t know about it.”

After everything the asshole had done and achieved without much detection, Reed couldn’t believe that he would miss a detail like that. “Or it’s all part of his plan. I don’t believe for a second he’s not aware of what’s on that vehicle.”

“It makes no sense that he’d leave it operational,” Andy countered.

“You’d think, but it’s almost like he wants to draw us to him. Make us think we have the upper hand and the element of surprise—when we don’t. We need to warn Steve that it could be a trap,” he said urgently.

Andy was pulling out his phone as Reed tested his ability to move. His side pinched with even the smallest movement, but he would push the pain deep down. He could move his leg, he’d walk with a limp and wouldn’t be able to run, but he’d still be able to be there. His head was clearer than it had been the first time he’d woken up so any lingering effects from the anesthesia had worn off.

“Steve already thought it was too easy and was cautious,” Andy reassured him. “Your thoughts confirmed his instincts.”

“I need clothes. I don’t care what they are, I need to get out of here. I need to be there.” Reed bit back a groan as pain shot up his side when he slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Andy shook his head. “You were in surgery less than twenty-four hours ago. Let the team handle it. You know they’re going to do everything to get Lauren and Charlee back safely.”

---