Defending Bridget - P.J. Fiala Page 0,29

exited the front of the house Axel's phone rang. He answered as his eyes watched as Aidyn walked to the SUV and Vivian helped him climb in. She reached in and buckled his seatbelt then climbed in next to him in the back.

"Dunbar."

Gaige started talking without announcing himself. "They are using Ketamine. It renders them unconscious for a while until they can get them tied and transported."

"Is this something easy to get? Do you have to have a prescription for it?"

"Yes, it's prescribed. We're now searching for records of large doses of Ketamine being purchased in Indianapolis. We'll branch out from there."

"Thanks. Keep me posted. And, is Sophie close to you? I need to ask her a question."

Gaige was silent for a time and he wondered if he'd already hung up.

The phone sounded like it bobbled a bit and finally after a long silence he heard Sophie's voice.

"Hey Axel, have you found Bridget yet?"

"No. Is Aidyn my son?"

"What makes you ask such a question?"

"Don't fucking jerk me around. Is he my son?"

He felt bad snapping at her, but it just pissed him off with her coy bullshit.

Sophie sighed. "Yes. She told me this morning. She said if anything happened to her that I should tell you."

"Something did happen to her."

"Yes. But we're going to find her, and she'll be back with Aidyn. I have to believe that. You all are amazing at what you do. We just have to find her alive and well."

He heard her voice hitch and knew she was emotional. Pregnant and her friend laid a heavy secret on her and then disappeared.

"Look Soph, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ..."

"It's okay. When Bridget said if something happens to me, I took it as if she died so you'd be able to raise Aidyn. And, honestly I had hoped she'd be the one to tell you."

"Yeah. Put Gaige back on please."

He heard Sophie tell Gaige to take the phone and his heartbeat quickened.

"Yeah."

"I'm not sure what to do now. He's mine. I want to protect him. But, I also need to find Bridget."

"You and Josh need to stay there and find Bridget. Put Vivian and Aidyn on the plane. Gavin will get them back here. We'll watch over them until you bring Bridget back here."

He scraped his hand down the side of his face while staring at his son in the back of a rental vehicle. What a day already.

"You, roger?"

"Roger. On our way to the airport now."

"I'll call Gavin and have him at the ready."

The call ended and his feet refused to move. He'd always wanted to be a father. He'd wanted kids when he had no business wanting kids. But, he wanted the whole ball of wax, the wife, the house, the dog, the kids. He'd left that dream behind years ago thinking his chance was over. Now here he was with a son he'd never met. No wife. No house. No dog. Instead, his son's mother is missing, and he has to try and find her. He has to let his son go to a house where no one knows him, and he knows no one else. Except his grandmother. She's with him. This was the absolute right thing to do. It was also the most difficult. He wanted to stay with Aidyn.

Josh caught his attention with a hands up as in what the hell gesture and he made his feet move him forward. Climbing in the rental, he buckled his seatbelt turned the key in the ignition and backed out of the driveway. Glancing in the rearview mirror he looked at his son. His sweet face, trying so hard to be brave, clutching a stuffed toy he'd brought with him. His heart was close to exploding.

Josh nudged him. "You want me to drive?"

Shaking his head, he put his thoughts right. "No."

The car ride to the airport was mostly silent. Not many questions asked. He was grateful to have the time to get his thoughts in order. Pulling up to the private plane, Aidyn's eyes got big.

"Wow. Are we going in that?"

Vivian answered, "Yes, we are sweety."

"I've never been in a plane before."

"No, you haven't. How fun!"

Stopping the vehicle, he climbed out and opened the backdoor. He helped Aidyn unbuckle his seatbelt. Then lifted him down from the SUV. Holding his little hand, he walked him to the plane and introduced him to Gavin.

Gavin leaned down and shook Aidyn's hand like a grown man then said, "I'll make sure you have a smooth flight