Page 49 of Fighting Salvation

Tears trembled on her lashes and he caught one on his thumb, brushing it away. “Don’t cry baby, please? I can’t handle your tears.”

“They’re happy tears. I love you, Niall. I never thought we’d get here, and I feel so guilty for feeling so happy when Watchdog is out there somewhere hurting.”

“We’ll get him back.” His voice held the conviction his heart lacked because he wasn’t one hundred percent sure they would, and like Hurricane had pointed out, they didn’t know what condition he’d be in if they did.

Val looked away, swiping at the tears. “I’m sorry. I know we will. I’m being silly.”

Bás bent his knees, making her look him in the eye. “Never say sorry for being you. Your compassion is one of the things I love about you.”

She nodded and he saw her pull herself together before pasting a smile on her face. It wasn’t one of her true smiles but one that she faked until she could actually feel that way. He’d seen her do it time after time, fake being happy to make others feel better.

“Don’t do that, don’t pretend to be okay and give me that fake-ass smile. It’s okay not to be okay, Val. If you need to be that way in public, then fine but when it’s you and me, you be truthful. If you’re hurting or down I want to see it. Let me be the person you trust with that.”

Val rolled her lips between her teeth and nodded silently. He wasn’t sure if she was agreeing or if she was trying to shut him up but it didn’t matter. He would make her see it was safe to be herself around him, and not be the one to make it all better for everyone.

He knew as the only girl in an Italian family that there was always pressure on her to get married and settle down. He also knew she and her brother were close. She’d once described him as her best friend, but he also knew she was the one who called him. She was the one who worried and fretted for weeks after he’d re-united with his now wife, wondering if he would get his heart broken. She gave too much to everyone around her. He didn’t know why, but he’d find out and then eradicate every fear she had in her pretty head.

His phone ringing broke the moment and perhaps she needed that to regroup. “Bás.”

“I have something.”

Lopez sounded excited and he prayed it was good news. “Tell me.”

“Watchdog was grabbed as he left the airport. A quick snatch and grab. Two men and a black van. Nobody moved a muscle to help him or intervene.”

Bás could hear the disgust in Lopez’s voice but they both knew people kept their noses out of other people’s business in places like SA. “Send me everything you have.”

“Done.”

“Did you manage to track him or the vehicle?”

“We did for a bit but we lost him. Will is on it. If he’s still in SA, we’ll find him.”

“Hurry. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Will do.”

“Lopez, I need you to do something else for me, too.” He took a deep breath not wanting to do this but knowing he had to. “Can you do a deep dive into my parents’ backgrounds? All the way back to Ireland when they were young.”

“You think there’s a link to Hansen?”

“Maybe. I don’t know yet.”

“Okay, I’ll make it a priority. I want that bastard caught.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Bás, is it true about him having another daughter?”

Lopez was married to Addie who had a child with Hansen. The man was charming and had managed to convince her and her sister he loved them. Unfortunately, he’d left Addie pregnant, but Lopez was an amazing father to little Payton and nobody would know she wasn’t his by blood.

“Yes, it’s true. She’s ten years old and sharp as a pin, but she’s been through hell. Kid can’t even tolerate music because they played it during her sessions.”

“Bastard.” He could hear the venom and understood it. “Bás, she has a home with me and Addie if she wants it. Do not let that child go into the system and keep that sperm donor away from her.”

“We’ll keep her safe.” He hung up and turned to Val. “We have a lead.”

Chapter 14