Choosing Hope -Moss Bluff Series Book Two

Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

Georgia

I'm glad the boys are taking care of this. I knew Blake and Beckett would step up to help Leo. As I knew Ethan and Cole would be right behind them. With the boys going out to the lake, I've insisted that Brynn and Quinn stay here with me and my girls.

Fortunately the two couples we had booked here last night checked out this morning. The Inn is empty except for the family tonight and that works in my favor.

I placed a quick call to the house for Jim. He was holding down the fort with Maddie, Hunter and Aiden to entertain their grandpa. You'd think the man was blood to those babies with the pride and love he has for them. The man is the best man I've ever known. How I wish we hadn't lost so many years.

Leo, Blake and Beckett continued to argue with Quinn over her staying put. I have to agree with them. Quinn is too emotional and too upset to see reason. She could, in a very real way, put all of them in serious danger if she acts impulsively.

If I were honest, I'd have Leo stay behind with Quinn as well but I know he would never agree to that. He's made a vow to be Quinn knight in shining armor. I just hope he stays in one piece. I know Fitz isn't a dangerous person when he is thinking straight, or he wasn't before all this mess with the drugs began. What I don't know, and I'm working on correcting this, is how much of a loose cannon Lindsey is.

She's shown everyone that she's desperate to get attention and is willing to do whatever she feels necessary to achieve that, including hurting an innocent woman and making a complete fool out of herself, like she did last Halloween.

The part that worries me most is the Mayor. He's spoiled Lindsey, to the point of being dangerous. I'm guessing he did this as a way to compensate for losing his wife when Lindsey was young. He's made excuses, covered up her tantrums and behavior that would have put another in jail.

How far is he willing to go for her?

Tapping my boy on the back, I casually get his attention away from the siblings arguing once again. "Blake, sugar, come upstairs with me for a moment, will you?"

As much as I dislike the fighting I'm happy to see Quinn showing some spine. Her spirit has been broken down for too long. It's past time she finds her voice. I know those two will make peace when this is over. Just as I know Leo will stay by her side. But on this little tidbit that I'm about to do, I don't need Quinn knowing. It will only upset her more.

I don't want anyone hurt. I'm not a fan of violence, but in this case, I see this as a smart, decisive move to protect the people I love. Going out of the dining room and heading to the stairs with Blake at my heels, I hurry up to the second floor and into the room I've taken as my own.

"Ma, I need to get back down there. We're on the clock here. We really don't have time.. what the hell is that doing here?" I turned to face my boy with a .45 in my hand. "Where did you get that? What do you think you're going to do with it?"

"I'm giving it to you to take with you on this hunt tonight." Holding it out, I wait for him to take it. Blake glares at the cold, custom, neon green metal in my hand. "Sugar, I don't know what you're walking into, neither do you. There are animals in the preserves. There's a man who is strung out on drugs who has already threatened and hurt our family. Lindsey is not stable. I have no idea what Lindsey, her father or Fitz will do when they realize you found them. I want you to protect yourself and the others. Blake, you have to protect Hope."

Blake doesn't like guns. He's known for years how to shoot, to respect the power a gun holds and he knows how to keep them safely away from little curious hands. He also knows that I won't hesitate to shoot someone to protect one of my own. I taught him the rules of gun ownership myself just as I made sure every one of my boys could hit a target.