Page 11 of Grayson

“Grayson? Is everything okay, son?” asked Striker.

“Hey, Dad. Everything is fine. Is Mom there?”

“Mom is here and so are Moose and Erica. This is confusing son. What’s wrong?” Grayson reached for Jennifer’s hand and pulled her into the view of the screen’s camera.

“We have a story to tell you,” he said calmly. The faces of their parents turned dark, then terrified, then something he couldn’t identify. Behind them, Ham, Rush, Cowboy, and Christian listened in.

“I love your daughter, Moose. More than anything in the world. I have for a long time but kept my distance. She was too young. Now, well now I’m asking for your permission to marry her. After we kill Kyle Lacroix.”

Violet and Erica hugged one another and smiled.

“We knew,” they said in unison. Jennifer and Grayson stared at one another then back at the screen, speaking back in unison.

“You knew?”

“Mothers always know,” said Violet. “I think you’re perfect for one another and your age difference isn’t any different than Striker’s and mine.”

“Or mine and Moose,” smiled Erica. “We’ll start making wedding plans for when you return.”

The two women left the room and Moose and Striker stared at one another, confusion filling their faces. They turned to the men behind them who shrugged then looked back at the screen.

“I’ll make this easy for you, Grayson. I will gladly give you permission to marry my daughter. Just keep her safe.”

“You know I will, sir.”

“Oh, I know you will because your father and I will be joining the hunt.”

“But, sir,” he started.

“No, sirs,” said Striker. “We’ll be headed that way within the hour. A full team. We’ll do some research on our end, see if we can find his current location. This isn’t a guy who gives up easily. He’s either searching for Jennifer and those kids right now or he’s on to the next victims. Either way, we’ll be there to support you.”

“Thanks, Dad,” smiled Grayson.

“Jennifer, I wish you would have trusted us with what happened to you,” frowned Moose.

“It wasn’t about trust, Dad. I was ashamed, scared, and didn’t know what to do. It was a mistake and I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed about. You were a victim, a young girl just getting a taste of independence. Grayson? We’re going to use one of our drones to drop a bunch of injectable trackers. Use them.”

“A bunch? Dad, I only need one,” said Jennifer.

“They’re not all for you,” he said firmly. “Grayson’s team just became part of our family. We’ll track all of them. It also allows us to be certain that they’re all loyal to Grayson.”

Grayson started to protest and then realized they were right. As much as he trusted every man under him, it was still possible that one of them could be a plant.

“Got it,” nodded Jennifer. “I’m really sorry, Dad. I love you.”

“I love you too, kiddo,” said Moose, the big man had tears in his eyes and it was nearly Grayson’s undoing. That is until he saw tears in Striker’s eyes. He shook his head, swallowing.

“We’re going to be okay, I promise,” said Grayson.

“We’ll see you all soon,” said Striker.

The screen went dark and Grayson reached for Jennifer, holding her tightly to his chest. His phone buzzed and he looked down at the message.

“Come on. The Sisters and the kids are getting ready to leave. They’re taking them to a safe house until this is all over.” She nodded, standing to leave then turned to him.

“Grayson? This will be over, right?”