Page 16 of Extraction
FIVE
PAUL
I paced by the door for the third time, and for the third time I chickened out and kept walking. I’d get to the end of the living room and turn back. I was never good at the whole “sharing my feelings” thing. Maybe that was because I never had anyone to share them with growing up. I never knew how close family could be until I met John, and then Blackstone, and then Shadows.
Keith appeared with his phone to his ear. I listened and used him as a temporary distraction. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Frank, but this Juliet woman seems to be flaking on her shifts, leaving Liza to hold down the fort.” He paused. “I’ve only met her once. I didn’t get a bad feeling, but she asked a lot of questions—” He stopped mid-sentence to listen. “Just about me and the kids. I think she was trying to be friendly, but…” I tuned him out. The distraction wasn’t working, so I headed back toward her office.
“You’re going to have to replace those floorboards if you don’t come inside. Come on and join me already!” Ivy peered at me from behind her glasses. She lifted her son Hudson off the floor as Olivia appeared.
“I’m ready to take him for a walk,” she announced to Ivy
“That’s wonderful. I can’t thank you enough, Olivia.” Ivy smiled. “Do your best to wear him out.”
“I will. Have a good session, Uncle Paul.” She took the little guy’s hand. “Hudson, I spotted some bunnies near the horses! Want to go see?” He shrieked with excitement as Ivy kissed his chubby cheek.
Ivy chuckled. “If he needs changing, take him to his dad.”
“Copy that.” Olivia waved as they left.
I cleared my throat and stepped inside her office. It was white and modern, but it oddly put me at ease right away. “Take a seat.”
“Yeah.” I sat on the edge of the sofa and flexed my palms together, hoping to relieve a little tension.
“Is this about your son?” She always dove right in. Ivy was brilliant at being blunt and straight to the point. That was how we operated here, and that was why she was such a great fit for the house.
“It is, yes.” The heel of my shoe tapped the floor as I sat there and eyed up the moody housecat. He basked in the long fibers of the shag rug. His legs were flung open, and his manliness was on full display. I was still unsure if he was trying to impress but had to admit the cat had something to show off. You do you, little guy.
“I’m so sorry, Paul.” Her comment drew me back to her. “I didn’t know Talya, of course, but I wish I had. Losing her must be hard on you. If you loved her, then she was a very special person.”
“She was.” I rubbed my nose as a wave of emotion ran through me. “But even if she was alive, it wouldn’t make a difference for either of us. We come from two very different worlds.”
“You do,” she agreed. “But that’s never stopped a heart from wanting what it wants.” She inched her glasses up her nose as she leaned back to study me. “You and Keith have a lot in common. How goes the dating pool?”
I laughed at that. “Shit, at my age, I’m lucky if a woman even looks in my direction.”
“You’re in your early forties,” she drawled sarcastically, “and don’t make me remind you I’m not that far off.” I grinned, and she joined me. “Seems to me you were approached at Zack’s the other night.”
“Those were girls, not women.”
“Fair.” She scribbled on her tablet.
“Talya wrote me a letter,” I blurted as I tossed it on the table between us. “I haven’t had the balls to break the seal on it yet. It’s crazy because we leave tonight, and there could be something crucial in there, but I just don’t know if I can open that door again.”
“Your head must be reeling over all this.” She shook her head in sympathy.
“Yeah, she was so important to me, but the circumstances made it impossible. I had to push her away countless times, and that last time—” I let out a breath. “We still crossed paths now and then, and I couldn’t help myself. I’d give in, and now look.” I stood and dug the heels of my palms into my aching eyes as I paced. “I mean, this entire thing is fucking crazy. I never even knew I had a son, and now he’s just lost his mother. He’s God knows where in Mexico and apparently being hunted by the Cartel. I’ve been thrown into a race to get back someone who is half me before something terrible happens to him. I have to get my son.” Just to say the word son felt strange in my mouth, but I knew deep inside I wanted him with me.
“Yeah,” she nodded, “this entire thing is fucking crazy. And you’re right. You, Cole, John, and Keith all have to keep your heads on straight. This is a deeply personal mission for all of you. In saying that, Paul, if you had more information to help with your game plan, wouldn’t you use it?” She eyed the letter.
“Of course.” I chewed the inside of my cheek as I looked at it.
She leaned forward and slid the envelope toward me. “Read the letter. Let Talya help you save your son. That was, after all, why she sent it. She knew you’d save him from the life she never wanted for him.”
I still hesitated to reach for the envelope.
“Let me tell you, after the things I’ve heard about Grim Gates from our friends, Tess and Kenna, he’s not a man who would stick his neck out and track you down if he didn’t believe Talya had something important to tell you. I hate to spin it this way, but you’re a father now. So, man up, grab your balls, and read the damn thing.”
“Grab my balls?” I laughed, happy to shake off some of the stress. “Did they teach you that in school, Doc?”
