what we have to do.”
He nodded, trembling.
“And take a damned shower,” Joe added.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Marjorie
Going to Glenwood
Springs to look for Colin.
I read the text from Bryce again for the umpteenth time since it had dinged four hours ago. I’d texted back a quick “Be safe, I love you,” and that was that.
My feet itched to move, to run to my car and chase Bryce and my oldest brother all the way to Glenwood Springs.
But I’d promised Talon I’d stay with Jade.
Jade was fine. She said so herself. The cramping was normal, and her ultrasound had shown that the baby was healthy. She wasn’t bleeding, her blood pressure was normal. Everything was A-okay.
No.
No. No. No.
I couldn’t leave. She’d promised Talon she’d stay in bed, and I’d promised I wouldn’t leave her alone.
I sighed, placing Jade’s sandwich plate in the dishwasher. I’d just checked on her, and she was sleeping. We’d been home several hours, and all was fine.
The house was so big and quiet without Talon and the boys here, so I jerked in surprise when the doorbell rang. I shut the dishwasher and walked to the door before it could ring again and disturb Jade. Chills erupted on the back of my neck. It was dark, and Jade and I were alone.
I drew in a deep breath, gathering my courage. I looked through the peephole—
I opened the door. “Colin! What are you doing here?”
“I need to see Jade,” he said. “Quickly. I don’t have a lot of time.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve got someone in the car. He’s skittish, and I don’t want—”
We both looked toward the sound of a car door. A man with dark hair and olive skin walked toward us.
“Who’s that?”
“You were supposed to stay in the car,” Colin said.
“Sorry. I’m not sure I trust you quite yet.”
“Trust him? Who the hell are you?”
“Marjorie,” Colin said, “this is Cade Booker.”
I gasped, my jaw dropping.
“Also known as Justin Valente.”
I gulped. “Colin, this man is dangerous. What the hell are you doing?” I quickly scanned Booker. “He’s armed. Probably in three places.”
“Only in one place,” Colin said. “Show her.”
He pulled at his jeans to reveal an ankle holster.
“He’s the one who—”
“I know,” Colin said. “He’s not here to hurt anyone. I promise.”
“Sorry. Don’t trust him.” I reached for my phone in my pocket.
“Don’t call the police, Marj,” Colin said. “Please.”
“Why shouldn’t I? He pepper-sprayed Bryce and Joe. That’s assault.”
“They barged into my office,” Booker said.
“Yeah? Well, you kidnapped me and—”
“That was his brother and sister,” Colin said. “You know that.”
“Are you trying to tell me that Dominic and Alex are the bad guys?”
“No,” Colin said. “They were acting on your father’s orders.”
“My dead father’s orders?”
“You think Brad Steel can’t control people from the grave? Come on. He put systems in place. They were telling the truth.”
“Just who is the bad guy here, then?”
“There isn’t one. Not now, at least.”
“Sorry. Not buying.”
“Let us come in,” Colin said. “I came to talk to Jade, but it might be good for you to hear everything from Cade.”
“I’m willing to work with you, Colin,” Booker said, “but I’m not setting foot in the Steel house.”
Just as well. Jade was in her bedroom resting.
“Then we’ll talk out here,” I said. “Pull up a chair.”
The front deck wrapped around both sides of the house. I gestured to the Adirondack chairs to the side.
“Can you get Jade?” Colin asked.
“Sorry. She had a scare at the hospital today, and she’s resting.”
“All right,” Colin said. “Go ahead, Cade. Tell her what we’re going to do.”
He opened his mouth when Joe’s truck came rumbling up the drive.
“Shit,” Booker said.
“Hold on,” I said. “If you’re willing to tell me, you should tell Joe and Bryce.”
“They let that bastard take me.”
“They were nine!” I said.
“I’ve been talking to him about that,” Colin said.
Joe and Bryce exited the truck, and both came running toward the front deck, their guns in their hands.
“Cade Booker,” Joe said. “We’ve been looking all over for you. I ought to shoot your brains out.”
“He’s armed, Joe,” I said.
“I’ll have his brains splattered on the deck before he can draw his weapon.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Booker said. “Same man who taught you taught me.”
Tom Simpson. Bryce’s father.
Bryce was holding a gun as well. He nodded to me. “You okay, honey?”
“Yeah. I don’t think they’re here to hurt anyone.”
“We’re not,” Colin said. “We’re here to say goodbye.”
“Right,” Joe scoffed.
“Hear us out,” Colin urged.
“I fucking trusted you, you son of a bitch. I vouched for you with my closest friend. I asked you