Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) by Kaylie Hunter (great books for teens txt) 📗

be one of the people they’ll have to go through to get to those kids.”

A single tear slipped past my guard. I couldn’t believe how incredibly strong this woman in front of me was.

“Welcome to the family,” Hattie said to Beth from the end of the hallway, nodding in approval. “Now, let’s get to work, everyone. Katie, call the club and get the rest of the bunk beds out of storage. Tech and Whiskey, check the windows and doors and set the alarm. Carl, check to make sure your new heat sensors are working to monitor the woods. Bridget and Tweedle, make a grocery list. I’m calling Texas to warn them.” Hattie handed me my phone as she started for the stairs. “And, sunshine, stop the waterworks. There’ll be time for crying later.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, laughing as I wiped another tear away.

Chapter Nine

It was a long night. By nine we had warned everyone we could think of calling. Even the local police were on alert. By midnight, we had all the bunk beds put together and ready when needed. Beth was settled in the upstairs spare bedroom. Bridget, Haley, and Kemp were staying at Alex’s house. Tweedle had moved into Lisa’s house. James and Wayne agreed to stay at Lisa’s house to protect them until Donovan and Ryan returned. Trigger, Nightcrawler, and Tyler had claimed bunk beds in the basement. Security patrols were doubled. The tunnels were opened to move people between the houses if needed. We were ready. Or at least, I was praying we were.

“You should get some sleep,” Tyler said. “You barely slept last night.”

“You only know that because you were up half the night too.”

“You both need to go to bed,” Wayne said, refilling his coffee cup in the kitchen before joining us at the dining room table. “There’s no threat tonight. If there’s blowback, it will be after the mission. Sleep while you can. I need you both to be ready in the days ahead.”

“What wasn’t Grady telling me, Wayne?” I asked. “I know him. He was holding something back.”

Wayne watched me, reaching a hand out to grasp mine. “The DEA agent. He knows her. They used to be close. She’s a bitch, but she’s good at her job. Likely Grady’s thinking that if they got to her, they can get to anyone.”

“How was she taken?”

“That’s the freakiest part. They took her from her home. Somehow they surprised her and had her across the border before anyone knew she was missing.”

“Holy crap,” Tyler said.

“What’s her name?” I asked Wayne.

“Sebrina.”

I remembered seeing the name on Grady’s phone about a month ago. I thought she was an employee of Aces who I’d never met. “He still talks to her,” I said, looking up at Wayne. “Are they still close?”

“Sometimes.” Wayne nodded. “Sometimes they’re friends. Sometimes they hate each other. They’ve been circling like that near as long as I can remember.” Wayne took another drink of his coffee before sighing. “Sebrina’s what they call a handful, and I’m not talking about her cleavage.”

“He still loves her,” I whispered.

“He’s afraid for her,” Wayne argued. “He doesn’t know if she’s still alive, and if she is, what they’ve done to her. And on top of that, he’s afraid they’ll come after you and the kids next.”

I nodded, standing up and turning toward my bedroom.

“He loves you, Kelsey,” Wayne called out. “Don’t ever forget that.”

“I know he loves me, Wayne,” I answered, stopping to look back at him. “But we both know you can love more than one person.”

I thought about Grady as I made my way down the hall. Was I jealous? I shook my head, closing my bedroom door behind me.

I understood still loving someone from your past. A part of me would always love Eric, may he rest in peace. He was the truest of friends and had a generous soul. Another part of me would always love Wild Card, too. A woman couldn’t wish for a better fake husband.

I had to admit, I’d never been in a situation where I had to save the life of one of my exes. I couldn’t imagine the raw feelings that would surface in that scenario. If Wild Card were in danger, I’d risk everything to save him. I had no doubt. Just like I had no doubt that even though Grady would hate it, he’d understand. He’d support my decision, even if it hurt. That meant I had to be strong for Grady. I had to find a way to help him through this. He would do the same for me.

I slid my boots off, tossing them toward the closet. Opening my nightstand, I checked the clip on my Glock, setting it beside the lamp. I lay back on the bed, forcing myself to slow my breathing and close my eyes. It felt like an hour before I stopped hearing the ticking of the clock in the atrium.

~*~*~

I had been dreaming, but I couldn’t remember about what. Everything in my mind faded and wisps of fog and blackness surrounded me. I stood, fully dressed, reaching a hand into the fog. It felt hot to the touch. More like steam.

“I’ve been here before,” I said to myself, “but it was cold last time.”

I stepped forward, the melting fog coating my skin like sweat.

Leaves rustled to my right as everything around me came to life. I was in a road. A woman sat slumped in a Jeep next to me. The heavy forest rustled again and three men carrying guns rushed out. The gun in my hands started firing in their direction as they started shooting back. My gun was still throwing bullets when a hot stabbing pain ripped through my right shoulder.

I screamed. I threw a hand over my mouth, stifling my own scream as I