heard Douglas’ voice sound so—commanding. Without conscious thought, she found herself standing straighter, almost at attention, before she caught herself. Brody mentioned his father had been in the Army, something to do with Special Forces, but with everything going on, she’d forgotten that fact. Now his superior training was evident within every syllable the older man spoke. He’d taken control of the situation, letting Evan know he no longer had the upper hand.
“The point, Mr. Boudreau, is simple. Money. This transaction can be accomplished simply and efficiently, with nobody getting hurt.”
“Before I give you one single penny, Jamie will be returned to her mother. No exception.”
“I can’t do that. How do I know you’ll fulfill your end of the bargain if I give you my only bargaining chip?”
“Because you’ll have me in Jamie’s place. Trust me, I’ve worth far more than your daughter, Stewart. You said you know who I am. Then you’ll also know I’m a man of my word. Trade Jamie for me, and you’ll get exactly what’s coming to you.”
There was silence, Beth’s nerves tight, her body on edge, waiting for Evan’s answer. She didn’t want Douglas putting himself in Jamie’s place, but her daughter was so little. She didn’t understand what a monster her father had become, and she was terrified of what Evan might do if his demands were thwarted.
“I agree to your terms, Mr. Boudreau.”
Beth’s body collapsed into Brody’s arms, relief swamping her. Her baby was coming home. Things weren’t settled yet, not by a long shot, but they were one step closer to ending Evan’s reign of terror. Because she knew Brody wouldn’t allow Evan to walk away from this unscathed. He’d make sure Evan ended back behind bars. And he’d have backup, because he had his family to watch his back.
“Where do you want to make the exchange?” Douglas glanced toward Beth, his gaze steady and reassuring. Her gave a brief nod in her direction before turning his attention back to Evan.
“I’ll call you back in an hour. There are arrangements that need to be in place before I’ll meet you. Be ready.”
“Evan, let me talk to Jamie. Please.” Beth pulled herself out of Brody’s arms and raced over to stand by Douglas, her eyes glued to the cell phone. “Please,” she choked out again.
For another long stretch, there was silence, and she wondered if he’d let her speak to their daughter. Putting herself in Jamie’s place, she knew her baby had to be terrified. Evan was her father, but she hadn’t been around him in months. And now she knew her ex’s true colors, leaving Jamie with him for even a minute seemed an eternity.
“Mommy! Where are you? Daddy said you were gonna have ice cream with us, but then you never came. Now I want to come home, and Daddy said no.”
“Hey, baby girl! We’ll have ice cream soon, I promise. We going to come and get you, and you’ll be home soon. Then you can eat anything you want, okay?”
“Anything?”
“I promise. Just be a good girl until we get there. You can do that, right?”
Beth fervently wished this was a video call, so she could see her daughter’s face. She sounded unharmed, unfazed by the drama of what was going on around here, but how long would that last?
“Can you hurry up, Mommy? I don’t like this car. It smells funny.” Her voice lowered into a whisper, “And Daddy’s being mean. I want to come home.”
Tears spilled down Beth’s cheeks, and she felt Brody’s arms slid around her waist, felt the warmth and safety of being within his arms. She shook her head, trying to speak but unable to get the words to come.
“Honey bear, we’ll be there soon. Ms. Patti will fix you some frozen waffles and we’ll put ice cream and chocolate syrup on them. Even whipped cream. How’s that sound?”
“Uncle Brody! Are you coming to get me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Enough.” Evan’s voice came through the phone. “I’ll call you with instructions, and make sure you bring a laptop, Mr. Boudreau.” With that, the call ended.
Pandemonium ensued the second the call ended. Everyone was talking at once, and Beth couldn’t follow a single conversation, all her thoughts focused on Jamie. She spun around to face Douglas.
“Thank you. I’ll figure out a way to pay you back.”
Douglas reached forward and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “Darlin’, you’re part of this family now. Not like I’m going to let somebody like Evan Stewart get away with hurting your or Jamie. Don’t