Page 21 of Light of Christmas

Please don’t be calling to say something is wrong with Allie, I plead silently.

“Hey, Lan.” I say hesitantly.

“Hey Lo. I need to talk to both you and Gray. Is he around?” He sounds like he is in a rush, and it only makes the panic rise further in my chest.

“Yeah. He is just getting done with a shower. He will be down any second.”

“Alright.” As he says it, Grayson comes down the stairs and I switch the phone to speaker.

“Okay. He’s here. Not to be an ass Lan, but you’re scaring the shit out of me. Please say what you have to say fast before I lose it.”

Grayson guides me to the barstool to sit down and sits next to me, setting the phone between us and running a hand up and down my back. I lean into him and wait for Landon to start speaking.

“Everyone is fine, Lo. I promise. But I do need you guys. And I really hate to do this while you’re on vacation. I’ve heard it’s been great for both of you and you two deserve it.”

“Thanks, man. What’s going on?” Grayson says, still rubbing my back. I suspect he could hear the panic in my voice because he came downstairs only in sweats.

“So, I need you two to go on a mission. There is a twenty-three-year-old girl that is the sister of one of my old cop friends up there. She disappeared with her boyfriend a few weeks ago and apparently, the guy was an asshole. My friend tried to get her away from him, but they were gone before him and his brother had the chance. I have been helping them look and yesterday the guy showed up in town and checked himself into a mental hospital. I was able to find a property in his father’s name, who left it to him when he died a few years ago.

“My friend’s name is Lachlan, he has a twin brother, Miles. They wanted to go up there but are worried the asshole may have an accomplice. They couldn’t get into the mental hospital without raising suspicion so they couldn’t ask questions.”

“Alright. What do you need us to do Landon? I don’t want to bring Logan up there without backup.”

“You won’t be going alone. Lachlan and Miles will go with you. One of the brothers will stay with Logan and the other will go get their sister, Addison. They have a cousin that is basically like their sister since she was taken in by their family when she was younger. Her name is Lainey. She will be there. She is Addison’s best friend. Lainey will most likely be going with you guys so Addison will have the support she needs.”

Everyone is quiet while we allow our minds to catch up to the sudden change in plans.

I break the silence and ask. “Is there any indication of possible injuries she may have?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t know much. It could be anything, but I want to have our bases covered. Grayson…”

Grayson runs his hand down his face. I can see worry plaguing his body and I hate knowing his main concern is how it will affect me.

I stand and wrap my arms around him. “Bear. Everything will be okay. Landon wouldn’t send us on this if he didn’t believe we could do it. Right, Lan?”

“Right. I promise I would never put you in harm’s way. And I definitely wouldn’t push for Logan to go if I had even a hint of uncertainty.”

Grayson looks to me and I kiss him on the cheek and nod.

“Alright. But are you sure these guys know what they are doing or am I leading a bunch of newbies into a potentially bad situation.”

“Lachlan is a former Navy seal. When he got out, he became a cop. I’m not getting into why he isn’t one anymore, but he has helped point me in the right direction during some of our missions. And Miles is an MMA fighter. He could kill you with his bare hands and not even think twice about it.”

“Damn. That makes me feel a little better. You should have started with that man.”

Landon chuckles. “Sorry, Gray. Logan you good with this?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. I trust you. And you seem to think highly of these guys. So, I’m good to go.”

Landon is silent then he clears his throat. “Um…thanks Lo.”

Landon gives us a general rundown of the plan and what he explained to the brothers and their cousin.

After we quickly eat and get changed, we are on the road. The drive isn’t long. We pull up to the home on the opposite side of the lake. It’s very similar to the one Gray and I are renting. Except this one is much darker.

Grayson opens my door and as we make our way up the stairs to the door, it opens. A tall man with dark, light brown, almost blonde hair steps out. I can tell right away he is the MMA fighter. He looks like just from one punch you would be done.

He bounds down the steps. “Hey, y’all. You must be Logan and Grayson.” He says with a slight southern accent.