Page 85 of Playing for Keeps

In my ear, the buzz of voices rang out, but I focused only on the one. “Chopper should be there in twenty.”

“Thank fuck.”

“Arthur,” Thatcher nearly yelled into the phone. “What the hell is going on? You just disappeared on us.”

“They’ve taken Jen.” Those three words silenced my men. “They took Jen, and Levi’s gone too. It was on the video Ford pulled up before I left.”

As I sped through the city streets, I directed them where to look. As I pulled up outside the warehouse, Butterman spoke up.

“Got it. That scrawny asshole pulled Jen out of the car before the other guy jumped in and took off. Asshole carried her to the boat.”

“What about Levi?” I asked, wrenching open the door and running for the steps. “You get eyes on him?”

“Look, right there,” Ford chimed in, and I wished I could see what was on their screens. “The kid popped his head up over the backseat as the car turned the corner.”

“Find him,” I demanded as I reached the top step and pushed out onto the roof. “We need to get him back.”

“On it.”

Across the roof, Lee turned to look at me. His glare was icy, his shoulders bunched like a cat ready to fight. “The fuck is this?”

The freight train of his voice pounded through my chest even as the thud of the helicopter's rotors permeated the air. I rushed to the edge of the building where Lee and his men all stood.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Like hell you are.”

In my ear, a voice grumbled, “Vinny, what are you—”

“Shut it, Will,” I snapped. I looked up the long line of Lee’s chest as he towered over me, willing me to back down.

Go after what you want.

“Jen’s on that boat. I’m not just sitting back and waiting for her safe return. It was hell waiting to see Viv this summer. I’m not doing that again, not with Jen.”

The wind kicked up as the helicopter spun overhead, then lowered itself to the roof. Flurries of snow danced in the air around us, whipping across my face. I kept my gaze locked on Lee, refusing to back down.

Go after what you want.

Those green eyes of his sparkled in the city lights, but it wasn’t until a hand clamped down on his shoulder that he flinched.

“Ain’t hurtin’ nothin’ by letting him come.”

Slowly, as if it hurt him to do so, Lee dragged his gaze away and looked at Mitch. My sister’s boyfriend jerked his chin toward the helicopter, then gave Lee’s shoulder a hard slap.

“Let’s go.”

With lips pursed, Lee turned back to me. “Fine,” he said, pointing a thick finger in my face. “But you do what I say, when I say. You hear me?”

“Understood.”

We raced toward the helicopter, ducking down under the blades. The men hopped inside, but Mitch tossed something to Lee before he could climb in. The man turned to me, holding a black vest in his outstretched hand.

“Put this on.” And I did. “Sit here.” I did as I was told.

Secured into my seat, I lurched forward as the chopper took off. We raced over black water, zooming through the darkness of the night. Thatcher’s grumpy voice sounded over the headset Lee had shoved my way.

“Ford’s been tracking the phones of the men Jen worked with at The Guardian Group. Rhys Craigson’s has been turned off since this afternoon, but Jim Parker’s is on. It shows movement out over the Lakes. Closing in on the Manitou Islands, probably headed for Canada, then the coast.”