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

He pulled a pack and a lighter out, handing them to me. “Nicholas find your stash again?”

“Yup.” I lit up, exhaling slowly. “Third pack this week to disappear. The damn kid is too smart.”

Nightcrawler looked down at Storm as he tapped his leg, silently calling him over. Storm moved cautiously, stretching his nose toward Nightcrawler’s hand to have a good sniff. Deciding he was safe enough, Storm closed the distance and leaned against Nightcrawler, earning a scratch behind his ears.

“Good boy,” Nightcrawler said. “Go ahead and stretch your legs, big guy.” Nightcrawler pointed to the side yard, and Storm moved into the grass to do his business.

“It’s not like him to leave my side,” Beth said.

“He must trust either Kelsey or me to keep you safe,” Nightcrawler said.

“Must be your magic,” I said to Nightcrawler. “He’s stayed glued to her leg all night.”

“What can I say? I’m good with dogs. People, not so much.”

“Could have something to do with your appearance,” Beth said, openly scanning Nightcrawler from head to toe.

Nightcrawler kept his head shaved bald, had tattoos covering half his body, and wore a cut—a sleeveless motorcycle jacket with his club’s logo on it. Underneath the cut, he was shirtless with rippling muscles traveling down to his well-worn jeans and heavy leather belt.

His dark brown eyes narrowed at Beth. “Like what you see?”

She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’m just saying it’s a statement.”

“What kind of statement?” I asked, grinning back at Beth.

“He reminds me of when Storm raises his hackles and growls at someone.”

“Then it’s the right kind of statement,” Nightcrawler said before wandering into the side yard to join Storm.

“He’s likely to pee on a tree, too,” I whispered to Beth.

“Heard that,” Nightcrawler said.

~*~*~

I was finishing my second cigarette when Katie yelled from the garage door. I grabbed Beth by the elbow, dragging her along as I ran.

“Sounds good,” Jackson was saying on the phone. “You bet. See you soon.”

“They’re safe?” I asked, rushing into the dining room.

“They’re with the Coast Guard, heading to Corpus Christi,” Jackson nodded. “Sebrina and Grady are being taken to medical, but Donovan says they’ll both be fine. Nothing that rest and fluids can’t cure.”

“When will they be home?” Tweedle asked, gripping the refrigerator door handle.

“Wild Card and Ryan will fly back with Shipwreck later this morning. Donovan and Bones are staying with Grady until he can travel.”

Wayne stood and carried his coffee cup into the kitchen. “I’ll call some guys in Texas to guard them so Bones and Donovan can get some sleep.” Wayne walked toward the garage. “I’ll also update the boys at Headquarters. Maybe everyone can get some sleep now.”

Nicholas stumbled down the hall, half asleep. He continued walking until he slammed into me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Morning, sweetheart,” I whispered, stroking his hair from his face.

“Why’s everyone up so early?” he asked while yawning, eyes still closed.

“It’s almost seven, silly,” Beth said, steering him toward the breakfast bar. “It’s time for breakfast.”

Whiskey lifted Nicholas onto a barstool as Hattie slid a plate and silverware in front of him. She turned to me, linking an arm through mine and leading me down the hall into the family room. I looked up at her, confused.

“Now, sunshine,” she said, holding my cheek in her hand. “Now you can cry. Let it out before it breaks you.”

A sob broke in my throat that I didn’t know I was holding. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me against her. I clung to her as the dam broke. I felt myself being lifted and recognized Jackson’s cologne as I leaned my forehead against his shoulder. I was cradled on his lap while he sat on the couch.

By the time I could clear the tears and steady my breathing, I realized I wasn’t the only one crying. Tyler held Bridget as she cried. Pops held Tweedle. Lisa held Abigail, smothering her with kisses and dripping tears onto her as Katie kept a supportive arm wrapped around Lisa’s waist.

“Everyone seemed so calm,” I said, resting my head on Jackson’s broad shoulder. “I didn’t realize you were all pretending, too.”

Katie wiped her cheeks dry. “We pushed through because that’s what you needed, but those men are like brothers. They’re family.”

“Damn straight,” Pops said as he rubbed Tweedle’s back. “I’m proud of you girls, standing together like you did.”

In the silence that followed, Tweedle hiccupped, making us all laugh.

Chapter Twelve

 “Why’s everybody crying?” Sara asked from the hallway.

Nicholas walked up behind Sara and grabbed her hand.

“Come here, you two,” I said, sliding onto the couch beside Jackson as the kids ran over to climb up onto our laps. “Everything’s okay. We had a scare, but the tears are happy tears. Grady hurt his arm at work, but him and your uncles will be home soon.”

Nicholas watched me, trying to decide if I was lying.

“It’s the truth. Promise.” I smoothed his hair from his eyes.

“When will he be home?” Nicholas asked.

“The doctors want Grady to rest for a few days. He should be here before the weekend, though. Uncle Wild Card will be coming back with Ryan today.”

“Uncle Bones and Uncle Donovan aren’t coming home today?” Sara asked, looking at Bridget and Lisa.

“Not today,” Lisa said. “They want to wait for Grady. They didn’t want to leave him by himself since Kelsey can’t be there.”

“Why can’t we go see him?” Nicholas asked as he laid his head on my shoulder.

“They might have made some bad guys mad. Which means the rest of the family stays here with our bodyguards until we know it’s safe.”

Sara looked from me to Jackson and then around the room. She studied everyone’s faces. She turned