Page 77 of Chasing Wildflowers
“On my way.” Click.
Lane watches me, worry shadowing her features. “What happens now?”
I pull the USB drive from the laptop, gripping it tight in my fist. “Now, I go have a conversation withRodgers. I need to find out what he knows and if he’s a liability.”
Leaving her alone after I just got her back is the last thing I want to do right now, especially when someone is out there actively hunting her down. But this is something I need to handle personally.
We find Vic in the living room with my mom, the soft glow from the movie they are watching flickers across their features, where they sit curled together on the couch.
Mom’s head rests on Vic’s shoulder, happy and comfortable, exactly the way I remember them always being. They have the kind of long-lasting love I know Lane and I will have for the rest of our lives, once I make sure she is safe.
The sharp thud of my boots, followed by Lane’s much softer steps, has their heads turning our way; perfectly in sync. “We found him,” I grit out. “Derek Rodgers.”
Vic presses a quick kiss to Mom’s cheek before pushing off the couch. “Did you call Miles?”
I nod. “He’s on his way.”
“Good. I’ll go make flight arrangements.” He takes the flash drive from my hand before disappearing up the stairs, his footsteps fading down the hall, and the door to his office closing seconds later.
He hasn’t told me who his connections are, and I’m not about to ask. Not that he would tell me if I did. I don’t need to know. That only thing that matters is, one of the favors he’s racked up over the years is going to save Lane’s life.
I pull Lane into my arms, wrapping my arms around her, cheek resting on her head. “I will be back as soon as I can, twenty-four hours max.”
We are standing in the middle of our temporary bedroom a few hours later. Miles got back an hour ago and the jet is waiting for us.
She chuckles, but her arms tighten as she borrows deeper into my chest. “I will be fine, Jameson. Your mom is here, and Kam is here. I promise I won’t step outside the house until you are back.”
I kiss the top of her head, lingering for a moment, marveling at how perfectly she fits in my arms. I meant it when I told her home is wherever she is. Home doesn't always have to be a place. It can be a person, too.
Reluctantly, I release her and take a small step back, already missing the warmth of her body pressed against mine. “I have something for you,” I say, reaching into my pocket. “Really, they are from my mom.” I open my hand, in my palm are two tiny diamond studs. “She gave them to me to give to you, knowing it would give me peace of mind.”
She stares at the earrings, brows knit in confusion.
“Vic gave these to my mom when they were still dating. He was worried someone would go after her in retaliation. It gave him peace of mind while he was away on jobs.” I pick one up between my finger and my thumb. “There is a tiny tracker inside each one.”
I could have easily given her the earrings without telling her about the tracker inside; but I promised her complete honesty, and I refuse to ever take her choice away again. Other than moving into my bedroom. Her sleeping in my bed is nonnegotiable.
Her lips tilt in an amused smile. “You know you are ridiculous, right?”
“Please wear them, Wildflower. Leaving you is already killing me, I need to have some way to have eyes on you.”
She takes one of the studs from my hand, pushing it through the hole in her ear. “These come out as soon as you are back.”
“Wildflower,” I warn as she pushes the second one into her lobe.
She shoots me a look, then sighs, rolling her eyes. “Fine. I’ll leave them in until this is over, but don’t think I’m wearing them every time you have to leave town.”
I press a soft kiss to her lips, lingering a moment. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It’s late, just past eleven PM, when we pull in front of Rodgers’ house. The neighborhood is quiet. Not quite the suburbs, not the hood either. Everyone tucked in, resting for the start of the work week.
Vic cuts the engine, his eyes landing on me across the dimly lit car. “How do you want to do this?”
He’s letting me take point, knowing I need to handle this my way.
“Miles stays here, keeping watch,” I tell him, my voice calm, controlled. “You and I go in. He’s probably asleep, so subduing him shouldn’t be an issue. If he’s awake, we take him down as quietly as possible. I don’t want to draw unwanted attention. Once he’s secured, we’ll find out what he knows.”
