“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” Roxie said to Ian when she lifted her head.
“You were so brave—you would’ve gotten out of there. I’m really glad we were together, though.” His eyes were agonized as he looked at Beckham and then he put his hands on either side of Roxie’s shoulders. “I’ve talked to Sparrow and Beckham about the pictures. They understand what happened.”
Roxie looked at Sparrow in alarm and cried harder. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Sparrow.
“I know that was all Coco,” Sparrow said, touching Roxie’s cheek. “I’m just sorry you had to go through any of it.”
Dion interrupted. “Can I have your attention while we’re all here? I want to let you know I appreciate all the ways you’ve cooperated with us. None of you have complained—at least not to me—about having to give up your phones and Internet access. I know you must be having withdrawals, but I appreciate you not taking it out on me.” His shoulders shook as he chuckled. “The fact that Coco is still out there is heavy on all of our minds. Beckham and Ian are already aware of our next step. It won’t be easy, but I hope that it will draw Coco out and we can get you back to your homes safe and sound. I ask for your patience for a few more days. My team will be happy to get anything you need … within reason.” He chuckled again.
When it seemed like he was done, Daniel spoke up. “I’d like to hear how you plan to draw Coco out…”
Roxie’s eyes shifted to Beckham’s and he felt his pulse quicken. She wouldn’t like this. At all.
Dion nodded. “For now I’d like to fine-tune it, if that’s okay. If all of you can just continue to be patient. Roxie and Beckham, so you know, no one leaves this house or calls anyone. There’s an emergency phone here, but I want it only used for emergencies.” He motioned to Howie and Will. “They’ll be able to reach me or let someone on my team know if we need to re-stock any supplies.”
He looked around. “Any questions?” No one spoke. “Okay, Beckham and Ian? Word with you upstairs?”
Roxie tucked Leo in and sat on the edge of his bed.
“Are you going to sleep too?” he asked.
“Soon. That bed over there is looking really good, but I want to stay right here until you fall asleep.”
He smiled and nestled deeper into the covers.
The place was huge. They were in a room with two twin beds. Everyone had their own bedroom and there were still more rooms left. It was like their very own commune.
“I don’t want you to be away anymore, Mama,” he said quietly.
Her eyes filled. “I won’t be away from you anymore, baby,” she whispered. She wiped her tears before they fell on him.
“But what about Beckham?” His mouth trembled.
She wiped her nose. “I don’t know what will happen next, but I do know you and I will be together.”
He touched her cheek. “That girl is a very bad girl what did this to you.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Now and then he still mixed up a few words and she didn’t correct him. She wanted to hang onto those childish phrases just a little longer.
“Very bad,” she agreed. “But Ian gave her a few bruises like this too.”
“Good! I wish I could!” He sat up. “I’d make her ribs hurt too, since she hurt yours.”
“I don’t want to be anything like that girl, and I don’t want you to be either,” Roxie said. “But I do hope she goes to jail and never gets out.”
“Me too! I hope that too!” he said, his brows furrowed.
She kissed his cheeks. “Okay, lay back, little man. Time to stop our thoughts and start our dreams.”
He smiled and lay back. “I like that.”
“I like you.”
Chloe stuck her head in and smiled at the two of them. “Love you both. This place is awesome!” She came in and pushed Leo’s hair back, kissing him.
Roxie leaned into Chloe’s side. “Auntie makes everything fun, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah.” Leo smiled sleepily at both of them. “I want to live here. Grammie and Gramps and Beckham and Soph and Journey and Sierra and Sparrow and Ian and Will and Howie…” He took a breath. “If Uncle Joey was here it’d be perfect.”
Roxie was overwhelmed with gratitude for her people who kept her little boy so protected that he was excited about hiding from a kidnapper.
“Does this place have board games and cards?” Roxie asked him.
He inhaled an excited breath. “I don’t know! Tomorrow let’s play all day if they do!”
“We can pretend like we’re snowed in and make hot chocolate with huge marshmallows.” She leaned down and kissed him.
“Yeah,” he whispered. His eyes shut for a second then he opened them quickly. “Just seeing if you’re still here,” he said.
Her heart clinched. He’d been so worried about her.
“I’m not going anywhere, love,” she said. “Sleep now, Mama’s right here.”
She woke up the next morning and Leo was still in bed, stretching. She saw the clock on the nightstand and yelped.
“It’s after ten o’clock! I can’t believe you slept so late!”
Leo hopped out of bed and stared at the clock, eyes wide.
“Can we play games now?” he asked.
The others were in the main area of the house, except Beckham, Ian, and the guards. Her mom and dad were eating breakfast. Chloe and Sparrow were reading and Sierra and Sophia were chatting nearby.
Roxie greeted everyone and got a cup of coffee. “Where are the guys?”
“I’m right here,” her dad said.
Roxie smiled. “Sorry, Dad. Where are the other not-as-great-as-you guys?”
“Oh them. They’re talking with Dion upstairs.”
She hadn’t seen them upstairs, but didn’t argue the point. She looked for hot chocolate after she poured cream in her coffee. No marshmallows, but the can of whipped cream would be a treat. She started making it for Leo and told him to hunt for games.
“You’ll both wear bulletproof vests and no one will even be able to tell,” Dion told Beckham and Ian.
He held the vests up and handed one to both of them. Ian and Beckham started talking at the same time.
“Why would she shoot me if she wants to be with me?”
“What happens if she tries to shoot somewhere other than the vest?”
“What makes you think she’ll even come to the show?”
Dion lifted an eyebrow. “I think she’s desperate. I have no idea if she’ll try to hurt anyone, but I do think she’ll show up and possibly try … who knows what? It’s worth a try to draw her out. We’ll make sure the news covers that you are still performing tomorrow night in L.A., a special acoustic show, despite having to cancel the last several dates. Just hear me out, and hopefully she’ll come.”
Everything was still on hold with the tour. Dion and Ian knew what Beckham wanted, but they were the only ones.
Dion tossed beanie hats in their direction. “The outside of these have the same material as bulletproof glass, and the inside is like a wet suit. Wear it low enough on your forehead for more coverage. Oh, and don’t get shot anywhere else. That’s all I got.”
Beckham put his hat on first.
Ian sighed. “I’m not gonna look as good as you. I don’t look good in hats.”
“Oh please, you’re the Sexiest Man Alive. You look good in anything.”
Ian put his hat on and stared at Beckham, both eyebrows raised. Beckham choked and then laughed hard.
“How is that possible?” he asked, wiping his eyes.
“Told you.” Ian shrugged.
“Are you guys done playing dress-up?” Dion asked.
“Geez,” Ian mouthed to Beckham over Dion’s head.
“Saw that,” Dion muttered.
Ian and Beckham laughed. Dion shook his head, but his mouth twitched.