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

Bones was silent on the other end.

“I need you to convince him to go to Pops’ ranch.”

“What good does that do?”

“That’s not the favor. Once he’s there, I need you to shoot him with Pops’ tranq gun and drag his unconscious body back to Michigan.”

Bones was quiet for about twenty seconds. “You’re serious?”

“I know he’s your friend, Bones, but I can’t leave Nicholas right now. I need you to drag Grady back.”

“He won’t be released until tomorrow morning. I can get him to the ranch, convince him he needs to rest before traveling any further, but that’s it. I can’t shoot him with a tranq gun. He’d never speak to me again.”

“Are you willing to at least help load his unconscious body onto a plane?”

Bones laughed. “Sure.”

“I’ll handle the rest then. Thanks.”

“Chin up, Kel. If it makes you feel any better, I think you’re doing the right thing.”

We disconnected, and I went to the war room. Tech and Bridget were awake.

“What happened?” Tech asked.

“Grady says he’s not coming home.”

“What?” Bridget said.

“No way,” Tech said, shaking his head. “Grady’s solid. You two are indestructible.”

“Well something just exploded the shit out of our relationship.” I paced a few times before turning back to face them. “I need help if I have any chance of fixing this.”

“What do you need?” Tech asked.

“Get with Katie. I need a handful of tranq cartridges for Pops’ gun.”

Tech nodded and picked up his cell phone.

“Bridget, get a hold of Pops and Trigger. I need them to fly down to the ranches today. Bones will take Grady to Pops’ house tomorrow after he’s released from the hospital. When they get there, I need Trigger to shoot him with the tranq gun. Bones refused to do it, but agreed to help transport him back to Michigan.”

“Want me to go?” Bridget asked, placing her fists on her hips. “I’d be happy to shoot Grady—right in his rosy ass cheek.”

“Not necessary. But if you could question Haley about a to-go sedative, I’d appreciate it. It would be an ugly situation if Grady were to wake mid-flight.”

“What if that Sebrina chick is with him?” Tyler asked from the doorway.

My mind was spinning with so many variables I wasn’t surprised he’d snuck up on me. “I don’t know.” I rubbed a hand across my forehead. “Shoot her, too? We can’t leave her alone on the ranch if the cartel is still after her. She’ll have to fly back with them so we can protect her here.”

“Who’s Sebrina?” Tech asked.

“His ex-girlfriend,” Tyler answered for me. “The DEA agent they rescued in Mexico.”

“And you want to bring her here?” Bridget asked.

I threw my hands into the air. “Maybe this whole fucking mess will make more sense that way. Because I sure as hell don’t get it! I have no idea what’s going on! He says he needs time to think shit out—well, I’ll give him time! He can sleep in the fucking apartments for all I care! I’ll be damned, though, if he’ll be running around unprotected while we figure this shit out.”

“You sound a little crazy,” Tech said, smirking.

“I feel a little crazy. I’m hearing myself talk about hiring people to kidnap my boyfriend and hold him hostage! I sound insane!”

“That’s not the insane part,” Bridget said, giggling.

“It’s insane that we’re all antsy to help,” Tyler said, throwing his arm over my shoulders.

I looked at each of them as a slow grin formed to match theirs. I nodded to Tech to call Katie. Bridget was bouncing on her toes in excitement as she called Haley.

Chapter Fourteen

I walked across the field to where Wild Card sat in the grass, his arm wrapped around my son who sat beside him. Wild Card looked up, and I could see the confusion in his eyes. I sat in the grass in front of Nicholas, taking one of his fisted hands within both of mine.

“I know you’re angry and confused. I am, too. I don’t understand why Grady is saying the things he’s saying.”

“You talked to him?” Nicholas asked, lifting his tear-soaked face to look at me.

“I did. He told me he wasn’t coming home. But do you know what?”

Nicholas shook his head. “What?”

“If he’s going to leave us, I say he has to man up and do it face-to-face. What do you think?”

Nicholas nodded, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “But how?”

“Well,” I said, exhaling a deep breath. “I hired some people to drug him, kidnap him, and deliver him to our doorstop. How does that sound?”

Nicholas and Wild Card stared at me. I smirked.

“Holy shit, you’re serious?” Wild Card said.

Nicholas launched off the lawn and into my arms. “You rock, Mom.”

“I’m glad you approve of your mother committing multiple felonies, but I can’t promise he’ll stay, Nick. We can’t keep him prisoner forever. I’ll do what I can, though.”

Nicholas nodded into my shoulder. “If he decides to leave, will you stay home with me all the time?”

“How about most of the time?” I asked, shifting him to my lap so I could look at him.

“How much is that?”

Wild Card leaned forward to tousle Nicholas’ hair. “I’ll come hang out with you when your mom goes on longer trips. How’s that sound?”

Nicholas sighed, but nodded.

 “Now that that’s settled,” I paused to pepper kisses on Nicholas’ forehead, “I have a job for the two of you.”

“What?” Nicholas asked, wiping his nose on his sleeve again.

“Gross,” I said, shaking my head.

Nicholas giggled. “What’s my job?”

“Find Jerry and get the keys to one of the empty apartments. Then you and Wild Card have to move Grady’s stuff and make sure the apartment is ready for him.”

“He’s not going to sleep in your