Defending Bridget - P.J. Fiala Page 0,19

So, I had my baby and set out to raise him on my own. I'm only telling you this now, because I'm beginning to feel like I'm being targeted and if anything happens to me, well, you'll need to tell him."

"We will do anything we can to make sure you and Aidyn are safe, Bridget. We've got to get you here."

"If I come there, he'll find out. He'll be able to see Aidyn looks like him. Same eyes. Same hair. Same smile."

"Isn't it more important that you all are safe and not worry about that? And, Bridget. God, Axel needs to know."

"No."

"Why not?"

"No, I can't."

"Bridget." Sophie's exasperated huff on the other end of the line was understandable. But, by this point, she'd spent so much time chastising herself for having her one-night stand. And with someone who was in prison no less. And, she still didn't understand what Gaige's company did other than security or something, and she didn't understand how Robert or Axel or whoever, fit into that company. And, she wasn't about to bring him into Aidyn's life until she knew he was an upstanding man. Aidyn deserved no less.

"I can't Sophie. Not now."

"I hate having this secret."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drop this on you. But someone needed to know in case something happens to me."

"That's what we have to focus on. I'm having our plane come to get you along with two of our guys to escort you here and make sure you arrive safely. I won't take no for an answer so don't bother. Spend the next couple of hours cancelling your classes for the time being. I'll call you in a few minutes with details. Pack your bags."

The line clicked and she listened to the sound of silence for some time before pulling the phone from her ear and then setting it on the desk. Her fingers shook slightly with all the emotion that was currently running through her body. Truth be told, she should go away for some time and get Aidyn somewhere safe. But being in close proximity to Axel was going to be difficult.

Her office door burst open and Aidyn ran in.

"Mommy, look what Gram got for me yesterday when we went for supper."

He proudly held up a colorful plastic toy and its top bobbed back and forth.

"That's wonderful, Bud."

"Yeah. And look, it does this too."

He shook the toy and it popped open. Aidyn giggled the most adorable little giggle and then turned and ran out of the room.

Huffing out a breath at the empty doorway, Bridget stood and decided she needed to have a talk with her mom while she waited for Sophie to call.

14

Axel set the free weights he had been lifting into the rack and flexed his hands to relieve the stiffness. Snagging a towel off the counter by the window, he scrubbed his face and neck with it and tossed it into the laundry basket.

Reaching for the door handle to leave the workout room his phone chimed a text from Gaige. Maybe there was news.

Pulling his phone from his pocket he glanced at the text.

"I need two guys to fly to Stueben and escort Bridget, Aidyn and Bridget's mom back here to the compound. Volunteers?"

While making strides to the conference room, just down the hall Axel quickly replied. "I volunteer."

He then continued walking toward the conference room. Entering the room, he found Gaige, Sophie, and Josh.

Gaige turned toward him when he entered.

"It's you and Josh. Pack up. Bridget has had two of her clients go missing from a bar last night after class. This is not a coincidence. Operate under the assumption that they couldn't get to her because she was protected, so they've taken women close to her instead."

"Is the plane ready?"

"Yes, I've called Gavin and asked him to file a flight plan. He's there and ready to go."

Axel looked at Josh who smiled, "Let's go get your redhead, Axel."

"We're off." Axel said and turned quickly to exit hoping Josh was following and wouldn't ask a ton of questions.

Heading quickly toward the elevator he jabbed the button that would take them to their rooms for a shower and their go bags, then they’d head down to the garage area. Josh's chuckle behind him told him he wasn't going to get away without the questions. He inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly, waiting, rather impatiently for the first one to come.

Exiting their rooms less than fifteen minutes later, Axel and Josh stood once