dad, but he said he’d wait until Grace was home. He said his dad had enough on his mind.
Joey turned to Alyssa. “They’ll move here, won’t they? Grace and Michael, I mean. He seems to love it here and Trace really enjoys having family too.” She felt panicky for reasons she didn’t want to think about. Growing old and being alone were scary thoughts. “And I’d forgotten how close Payton and Michael had been. They went to the same college then, when Payton went on to get his police commission, Michael went into the service.”
“There’s no reason why you can’t live here too, or just come to stay as long as you need,” Alyssa said softly. “There’s plenty of room in this house and there is always the hotels. I can have you and your family a special suite set up so that it’s always here for you.”
She looked at Alyssa then back at her son. “He’s all I have. All I have that is all mine. I love Lucas and his daughters, but…”
Joey looked at her again when she handed her a box of tissues. “I understand. I have…my mother was killed awhile back. My other brother killed her and…well, it was horrible to say the least. I didn’t get along with her.” She laughed. “Actually, I couldn’t stand her. Nathan and I have gotten really close since her death and I’m so happy for that.”
Joey had read about it in the paper. Billionaire’s Mother Murdered by Brother. And when his trial had ended in a guilty verdict, the entire household had rejoiced. Justice had been served as far as they were concerned. She decided that she really liked Alyssa Waite and the others. She smiled for the first time in days.
“Lucas and I have talked about moving out of the city. And Michael could do his business anywhere. He just needs Internet service, a phone, and an airport.” She grinned again at Alyssa. “And having a designer, an author, and a billionaire in the family wouldn’t be all that bad either, would it?”
“No, not so much. And we get a great discount on all the clothes and books we want too.” Before Joey could comment Payton came into the room. He looked tense.
“The limo stopped about twenty minutes ago. We’re going there now. You all should stay here until we can—”
“I’m coming with you. Either you take me or I take you,” Michael said as he pulled out his gun. “I don’t want to have to hurt you, buddy, but if you don’t help me get to Grace I will shoot you in the nuts first.”
“Why is it that men always go for the jewels? Do you have any idea how much the woman has to suffer when you do shit like that? Christ, put that thing away before I have to disarm you in front of your kid.” Sin tapped her foot until he did it.
Joey was relieved.
“Now, let’s play nice or you’re going to piss me off and, trust me, you don’t want to piss me off today.”
Joey burst out laughing and turned to Alyssa again. “And then there is all the free entertainment.”
Chapter 21
Michael stared at the house from his cover behind the cruiser. Grace was less than twenty yards from him and he couldn’t get to her. He glanced over when Sin slid in to his right side. She glanced at the house before she settled her back against the car.
“Hey. Cain wants to speak to you. Here,” she said as she shoved the phone at him. “And just so you know, we all agree with him. But I’m going to help you or I’m beating the shit out of you.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a tad violent? You should have some anger management classes as soon as this is over.” He put the phone to his ear. “Listen, Cain, do you think this could wait? Grace is—”
Cain cut him off. “Go get her. Go into that house and bring out my sister,” he said with a hard tone. “You do whatever it takes to get her to us.”
Michael looked at Sin again as what Cain was saying sank in. “Cain, she’s your mot—”
“No. No, she stopped being anything to any of us the second she started this whole thing. She is a woman who killed and hurt to get what she wanted. You do whatever it takes, do you understand me, Michael? Whatever it takes to bring Gracie back home and