Page 204 of Double Daddies
“That is our girl. Jacobson did his job well and fast.”
“Holy shit! She's from Nashville. She really is a long way from home.”
“Keep reading.”
“Fuck! She was dating a piece of shit. There are dozens of hospital reports and police records. He did a real number on her.” Elijah cringes as he tosses the packet on the table.
“She gave us a fake last name. I’m guessing so it didn’t get back to this douchebag.” I run my hand through my tousled hair as I pick up my phone.
Jacobson:
She left Nashville and moved to Chicago in the middle of the night three months ago.
Ezra:
Thanks for the info.
Jacobson:
Not a problem. I have a picture of this guy, and his name is Richard Baines. He was a cop in Nashville.
Ezra:
Send me everything you can find of him. I want to know everything.
Jacobson:
Got it.
I sit back, my mind racing with everything I just learned about our little bird. A wave of protectiveness surges within me as I think about the pain she must have endured, the fear that still lurks in the shadows of her past. And then there's the man who hurt her, Richard Baines. I want to kill him.
I show Elijah the texts between Jacobson and me, knowing he’s going to want the same retribution.
“That’s where that scar came from. I just know it,” Elijah vows. “What’s the plan?”
“I don’t want her to know what we found. I want her to tell us in her own time. We just need to make sure he won’t come here. I’ll keep Jacobson on it.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes, both lost in our thoughts. The gravity of the situation weighs heavy on our shoulders, and I can’t shake the feeling of dread that settles in my gut. I know we have to be cautious, to tread carefully, but my heart aches for Wren, and I can’t help but feel a burning rage toward the man who hurt her.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “We need to protect her, Elijah. We can’t let anything happen to her.”
“I agree,” he says, his voice grim.
“Jacobson just sent me his picture. Here.” I send the picture to him. “We need to know when he gets to town because I doubt he’s given up.”
“I can put this in the Storm software and it will alert us if this guy pops up on any CCTV in the city.”
“Good. Do that now.” I stand up and head to the windows, looking out over the city, the vibrant skyline a stark contrast to the darkness we've uncovered. I can't help but feel the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders, the need to keep Wren safe consuming me.
Elijah joins me by the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “We won't let anything happen to her, Ezra,” he says, his voice steady and resolute.
“We won’t.” I echo the words, a vow that resonates deep within my soul. We stand side by side, our resolve unwavering, as we stare out into the world beyond. We may have won the bet, but now we’re in for a fight, a battle to protect the woman we both care for.
“We need to know where she is at all times,” I vocalize “Does Phoenix Tech still have those small micro trackers?”
“I think so. What are you thinking?” Elijah eyes me curiously.
“You know exactly what I’m thinking. It’s the only way to keep her safe when she isn’t with us.”
