Page 48 of Deserving Maisy
“I’m leaving tonight. I’ll buy a ticket at the airport and be home tomorrow.”
“I’m thinking we need to consider all the angles first,” Brick countered.
Stone was stunned. “You don’t think I should come back to The Refuge?”
“No, you’reabsolutelycoming back home. But we need to figure out why you were taken. Were you targeted, or would any guy work? If you leave, will they come after you? We need more answers, and I don’t like the thought that they’d be able to track you here if you buy a ticket. Give me an hour or so, let me tell the others that you’re safe. I know Ry can get you home without leaving a trace.”
“Who?”
“Oh, shit, I forgot you don’t know. You know Ryan, the newest housekeeper?”
“Yeah?”
“Her real name is Ryleigh. She’s a computer genius. Tex admitted she’s even out ofhisleague—which pisses him off. She’s been close-lipped about why she’s here or what she’s hiding from, and she’s definitely hiding from something or someone, but she refuses to say. Has been working day and night to try to figure out what happened to you. She’s going to be relieved as hell that you’re okay, but pissed that she wasn’t the one to find you,” Brick said. “Tiny’s been keeping an eye on her. Making sure she doesn’t run.”
Stone was stunned. “Holy crap, seriously?”
“Yup. Okay, lay low, don’t let on that you’ve remembered who you are. Let me talk to the others and Ry, and I’ll get back to you. This number okay to call back?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll probably have to dump the phone when you leave. If your kidnappers are smart, they could probably get the phone traced and figure out that you called here, but that will take a while, I’m thinking. Not everyone has a Tex or Ry in their back pocket to do their illegalcomputer hacking shit for them.” Brick snorted. “And, Stone?”
“Yeah?”
“Fucking thrilled you’re okay. We were all going out of our minds here. I don’t like the situation, not at all, but it’s a huge relief that you’re all right. Lara’s going to lose it. She blamed herself for not being able to stop that guy from taking you. And Owl’s gonna want to hear for himself that you’re good. I’m thinking you’ll have us all on the line when I call back.”
Stone closed his eyes. It felt amazing to have such good friends at his back. He hadn’t realized how alone he’d felt until that moment. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me,” Brick grumbled. “Stay close to your phone, I’ll call back as soon as I have more info for you.”
“Ten-four.” Stone ended the call and sat down on the bed.
As soon as he did, he could smell apples.
Sighing, he leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the floor.
He wanted to believe that Maisy had nothing to do with this fucked-up situation. But what elsecouldhe think? She’d lied to his face time and time again. She might not have planned his kidnapping, but she’d perpetuated the farce when he’d woken up and discovered he had no memories.
Straining to remember the moment he woke up, Stone frowned. He recalled Jason speaking to Maisy harshly, issuing a veiled threat when she begged him not to do “this.” Was she referring to whatever Jason had planned for Jack? He could only assume so.
He also remembered the way she’d stumbled over whathe’d thought were the easiest of questions. She’d been coached by her brother, he had no doubt of that. But why? To what end?
Rubbing his temples, Stone sighed again. There was no doubt that Jason Feldman was an asshole and a bully. He was abusing his sister, mentally and probably physically. Did she deserve it? Stone honestly didn’t think so. He’d spent almost every minute of the last few weeks with her. And now that he had a moment to think it through, he knew how scared she was of her brother. She’d even come out and told him that today, but with everything else that had happened, namely his memory returning, he’d blocked it out.
He didn’t knowwhyhe’d been kidnapped, and if he left without a trace, where would that leave Maisy? He shouldn’t care. She’d participated in the scam to keep him in the dark about their sham of a marriage. But he couldn’t help the feeling that if he left her alone with her brother, serious harm would come to her.
Then another thought shot through him—and he sat up straight on the bed.
He’d had unprotected sex with Maisy every night since their farce of a vow renewal. Sometimes several times a night.
She could very well be carrying his child right now.
And there wasno wayhe was leaving his son or daughter to be raised in this house, by his kidnappers.
His decision made, Stone felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He hadn’t realized how anxious he’d been about leaving Maisy behind. It made no sense. She’d lied to him and pretended to be his wife…but he couldn’t stop hearing her say she was afraid.
Well, she might be scared of her brother, but she’d be terrified once she met Brick and his other friends. They could be intimidating bastards when they wanted to be. There’d be no way she could keep whatever plan she and her brother had devised a secret when they interrogated her.
