Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7), Kaylie Hunter [guided reading books TXT] 📗

“Where is she getting pop?”

“Likely the basement refrigerator. We keep some down there for company and mixed drinks.”

“Grr…” Anne walked back up the stairs.

I looked around the room. If Grady were home, he’d talk to Nicholas about the peeing thing. It certainly wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have. I’d likely be farming out a few other conversations in the years to come, too.

Whiskey, Tech, and Tyler sat around the table, smirking at me.

“Who’s willing?”

“I would, but I’ll laugh the whole time,” Tech admitted.

“I’ll take this one,” Tyler said, standing. “As a prospect for the club, I’ve cleaned enough toilets to explain why it’s not cool.”

My cell phone, still in my hand, rang. I answered it, seeing it was Grady. “Hey, sexy,” I said, moving into the living room for privacy.

“Hey, beautiful. You sound like you’re in a good mood.”

“Not according to Nick.”

Grady chuckled. “His opinion doesn’t count. He’s mad at me all the time these days.”

“Well, consider it your lucky day. Tyler volunteered to talk to him about peeing all over the toilet. You’ll owe Tyler a beer when you get back home.”

“Small price to pay.” Grady laughed quietly. “How was work?”

“Good. We found a young woman who had been held captive for the last five years.”

“How is she?”

“Physically, she’s fine. Mentally, she has a long road ahead of her, filled with years of counseling, but she’s got a lot of people who love her. She’ll be okay.”

“Sounds like one hell of a win, babe.”

“How about your mission?”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” he said.

There was something in his voice though. Not fear, but something. Worry? “What aren’t you telling me?”

Grady was quiet for a long moment before he answered. “The rescue mission involves pissing off a very dangerous family. They’re well connected, and not just in Mexico, but in the United States, too.”

I nodded to myself. “You’re worried about blowback.”

“We all are. The last time we took on a job this serious, we didn’t have families. That’s changed. It’s making us look at things differently.”

“Who’s the victim?”

“Our intel tells us that two women and a DEA agent are being held in one of the buildings on the compound.”

“Can you get them out and stay whole?”

“The mission itself isn’t a problem. We can go in tonight.”

“Then do it.”

“And if there is blowback?”

“It won’t be the first time we’ve had bad guys at our doorstep. We’ll keep the family safe. If we don’t keep fighting for the victims, though, who will?”

Grady was quiet again.

“What do you need?”

“I need you to ramp up security. I’d also like to tell Nick goodnight.”

“I’ll talk to Tech, Tyler, and Wayne about security.” I turned toward the dining room. Tyler had just returned and heard me say his name. Tech also looked up. “Hattie will take the phone to Nick so you can say goodnight.”

Hattie nodded, walking over to me.

“I love you,” Grady whispered.

“I love you, too, but I’m going to be really pissed if you don’t get your ass home safely, Mr. Tanner.”

Grady chuckled, but it didn’t hold his usual carefree tone. “Yes, ma’am.”

I handed the phone to Hattie, and she greeted Grady as she walked down the hall.

“What’s wrong?” Katie asked.

Tweedle grabbed Bridget’s hand. Bridget squeezed hers back just as tight.

“They’re okay,” I said, joining them back at the table. “The mission itself isn’t the issue.”

“Then what is?” Lisa asked, holding baby Abigail against her chest.

“The cartel has connections in the U.S. If they find out who rescued the prisoners, they’ll come after all of us.”

“You’re rattled,” Tyler said, laying a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve been down this road before—more than once. We can handle it. So why are you rattled?”

“I don’t know.” I ran a shaking hand through my hair. “It was something in Grady’s voice. He sounded… spooked? Like he was expecting something bad to happen.”

“Then we take precautions,” Lisa said. “We go on red alert. We keep the kids close.”

“Lisa’s right,” Anne said. “We don’t cower. We don’t back down.”

“I’ll alert the security team,” Tyler said, heading toward the front door.

“I’ll call my uncle and warn everyone at home to be on the lookout for trouble,” Tweedle said, nodding.

“I’ll call Headquarters,” Wayne said.

“I’ll call Haley and Kemp,” Bridget said.

“Alex is on a date tonight, but I’ll call him anyway,” Lisa said.

“With who?” I asked Lisa.

“He wouldn’t say, but I’ll find out one way or another,” Lisa said, winking as she handed Abigail off to Beth. Beth’s dog Storm sat up and sniffed Abigail, making her squeal and spit bubbles.

“Everyone needs to be moved to one of the houses. We can’t have people scattered all over town and unprotected. That includes you, Beth. Either we cancel school for a couple of weeks, or you’ll need to stay here.”

“Storm will protect me.”

“They’ll shoot him,” Whiskey said, shaking his head. “No. Kelsey’s right. Either you stay away or you stay under our roof until we have this sorted.”

“Where on earth would I sleep? This house is packed to the rafters.”

“You’d be surprised how many people we can cram into the houses,” Katie said.

“And Storm?”

“He’s welcome, too,” Katie assured her.

“Beth,” I said, gaining her attention. “I need you to understand how dangerous this is. We are talking about a Mexican cartel. They’re ruthless. If you stay, you could be putting yourself in danger.”

“A month ago, I would’ve run,” she admitted. “I’ve seen and heard enough since then, though, to understand the danger your family faces because you protect strangers. I’m in. I might not be a soldier or a profiler, but I know self-defense and I own a gun. If someone’s coming after this family, I’ll