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

Wayne ran into my bedroom, turning on the light. I saw he had his handgun out as he searched the room. When he realized I was alone, he holstered his weapon and pulled me into his arms. “You’re okay. It was just a dream.”

I felt my tears running down the back of my throat. “Grady was shot,” I whispered.

“He’s fine. It was just a dream.”

Gripping the sides of his face, I stared at him. “No, Wayne. Grady was shot! I saw it. I don’t know what happened next.”

Wayne stared back at me. “Fuck.”

~*~*~

There wasn’t a safe way to contact the guys. They’d have a satellite phone, but even if they had it turned on, it wasn’t safe to call them. To distract them. My scream had woken the whole house, including Katie and Tech from their apartment above the garage. Hattie and Tech managed to convince the kids I’d had a nightmare and settled them back into bed. The adults knew, just by looking at me, that it was more than that.

Whiskey made a pot of coffee while Anne loaded a plate of leftover muffins. James escorted Lisa, Abigail, and Tweedle up the basement stairs. Both Lisa and Tweedle were shaking. Bridget and Tyler entered through the garage door.

“We heard you scream. What is it? What happened?” Lisa asked.

I sat at the dining room table and looked at Bridget first. “We need better soundproofing in the houses if I woke everyone at Alex’s house.”

“Couldn’t sleep.” Bridget joined me at the table. “I was patrolling with Tyler.”

“We don’t have the details, yet,” Wayne said, helping Lisa into a chair. “Kelsey thinks Grady was shot.”

“The voodoo witch thing?” Anne asked.

I nodded, watching my hands tremble.

“Voodoo?” James asked. “Have you all been smoking whacky weed?”

“You don’t have to believe it, man,” Wayne said. “I’ve seen Grady and Kelsey go through this shit too many times, though.”

“What happened?” Tweedle asked, still standing near the basement doorway.

“Come sit down, dear,” Hattie said, guiding her toward the table.

Everyone found a seat at either the oversized dining room table or one of the stools at the breakfast bar. Only Tyler remained standing, leaning against the wall between the dining room and kitchen. For a crowded room, it was quiet. They watched me, patiently waiting for me to explain.

“I don’t know anything. Not really. I know Grady was shot in the shoulder. I don’t know what happened after that.”

“Do you know where they were?” Wayne asked.

I shook my head. “A woman was lying in the Jeep. I think it may have been Sebrina. I didn’t see anyone else except the three men who were shooting at Grady.”

“Tech?” Wayne said. “I need satellite images. I have the coordinates of the compound.”

Tech grabbed his laptop off the credenza and booted it up, nodding.

“Uh, Kel?” Tyler said, holding a hand up to his ear com. “I hate to interrupt, but while they dig through maps or whatever, do you mind stepping outside? Nightcrawler’s currently holding a shotgun on a vehicle of unknown visitors, threatening to blow their heads off.”

I glanced up at the clock. It was four in the morning. “Katie, give me your gun. Mine is still in my bedroom.”

“Locked and loaded,” she said, handing hers over. “I’ll get yours along with a holster.”

Tyler stepped out the front door first, nodding for me to follow after he looked around. A dark sedan was stopped fifty yards from my driveway. Nightcrawler stood centered between the car’s headlights with a shotgun aimed at the windshield.

“Baby girl,” Pops yelled from the passenger side window, “call your dog off!”

“Let him through!” I yelled loud enough for the guards lurking in the shadows to hear.

Nightcrawler lowered the shotgun and stepped to the side to let the vehicle pass. The headlights were turned off as the vehicle pulled into the driveway. Not only had Pops come, but Jackson was driving.

I greeted Pops first, comforted by his strong arms holding me. I barely turned before Jackson lifted me into a tight hug. Tyler grabbed their overnight bags from the trunk.

“Who you calling a dog, old man,” Nightcrawler said as he approached.

“Nightcrawler,” I said, pointing my finger at him, “if you take one more step toward my Pops with that attitude, I’ll shoot a kneecap off.”

Nightcrawler smirked before walking into the blackness around the side of the garage.

“That’s the name he goes by? Nightcrawler?” Jackson whispered. “Really?”

“Careful. He’s not someone you want to piss off.”

I heard an evil chuckle from somewhere in the darkness.

“Why are the lights on?” Pops asked, completely at ease.

“Let’s head inside. It’s not safe out here.”

“Where’s Reggie?” Jackson asked.

“Shit,” I said, looking at Tyler. “Is he still sleeping on the gym floor?”

Tyler shrugged.

“Was he drunk?” Jackson asked, looking between Tyler and me.

I shook my head. “He was interfering with my case. I ordered Trigger to shoot him with a tranquilizer gun.”

Jackson looked away, placing his fisted hands on his hips as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

Pops chuckled, steering me toward the front door. “Sounds about right.” Pops opened the door, stepping back to let me enter first. “That boy’s been a handful since the day he was born.”

“I’m going to Headquarters to check on him,” Jackson called out.

I waved a hand over my shoulder, indicating that I didn’t care, before stepping inside.

“So? Why is everyone up this early?” Pops asked, walking in behind me.

“Pops!” Hattie said, running over to hug him. “I wasn’t expecting you until late morning.”

“Jackson chartered a plane. Three more men who work with Aces flew back with us.”

“That’s good,” Wayne said from the dining room. “If we need to organize a rescue mission, I might need more men to