Escaping Shadows, page 17
Georgie was flushed and then some by the time they arrived at Port. Dinner was a dream. She had her grandfather, her boyfriend, and her friendly, big brother-like mentor. Ryker was everything John Shaw should have been. Together, the four of them formed their own little family.
Georgie sat back and took a sip of her wine as Ryker, Kord, and her grandfather argued over college football. Three things hit her and hit her hard. One, she finally had a real grandfather. Two, she was going to marry Kord. Three, she already had a family. They may not be blood, but the people of Shadows Landing were her family more than her parents. They tested but welcomed her grandfather when he passed. They even tested Kord because they were looking out for her. She had a younger sister in Maggie and an older one in Harper. Brothers in Ryker, Gator, Turtle, and Skeeter. Cousins in the Faulkners and Townsends. She had everything she’d always dreamed of and more.
Georgie had never been so busy and loved every moment of it. If she wasn’t working with Ryker, she was tending bar, learning from her grandfather about business and his life, or spending every night with Kord.
How, in a matter of a week, everything in her life could change so drastically, she didn’t know. Parts of the change were frightening. She was going to antagonize her family even more. She was going to take control of a massive family company. It was scary. What if she failed at it? Her grandfather and Ryker both told her everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you learn from them that matters.
Then there was the pressure from Kord and Granger. They wanted her to file charges against her family for kidnapping. She’d talked to her grandfather about it. He left it up to her but promised to continue the financial retribution for their actions either way. That way, if she didn’t file criminal charges, they were still being punished. Which was what happened. Georgie was angry and incredibly hurt by them but she just couldn’t force herself to file those charges. They were still her family and she couldn’t shake the feeling that nice girls don’t have their parents arrested. In the back of her head, she secretly wished they could all be together like one happy family.
Today wasn’t the day to make that decision though. It was time for the Shadows Landing Holiday Market. Georgie slipped her hand into Kord’s as they walked down the middle of Main Street. The street was closed at both ends. Exposed bulb lights were hanging from light pole to light pole across the street, creating a canopy of light.
“Are you warm enough?” Kord asked as he zipped up his black jacket with “Sheriff” written across the back in big, bold white letters.
“You think this is cold?” Georgie laughed as she looked around the town at night and realized she was the only one wearing just a sweatshirt. Everyone else was bundled up in winter coats.
“It’s forty-six degrees, G.”
“Exactly. That’s warm. Talk to me when it gets below freezing. Then I might get a coat. Oh! Look, Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie have a new pie.”
Georgie ran ahead of Kord to get into the line of people waiting to buy a pie.
“Don’t run off like that,” Kord said softly when he joined her in line.
Georgie was about to tell him she could do whatever she wanted, but then saw him scanning the crowd. “Do you think I’m in danger?”
“I think there are a lot of people here I don’t know, and I’m not taking a chance with you.”
Georgie leaned up against Kord’s side as they stepped closer to the front of the pie line.
“I’ll pay you fifty thousand dollars for this recipe.”
“Is that my grandfather?” Georgie asked as she went up on tiptoes to see to the front of the line.
“Add some more zeros to that and then we’ll talk. Now, end of the line if you want another pie. One pie per person limit before getting back in line.” Miss Ruby winked at her grandfather who took an entire pie and a fork. He moaned as he took a bite and walked to the back of the line.
Someone jostled Georgie, and Kord was there in an instant putting himself between her and whoever it was. “Watch it, man.” The tourist shrugged and moved on with his buddies. “You okay?”
“Of course. I think the better question is: are you okay?”
“I just have a feeling something will happen. Your family won’t take this sitting down. They’re about to lose everything from the cottage on Martha’s Vineyard to their home in Beacon Hill. Your grandfather is waging a financial war on them. He’s stripped them of all the things he’d granted them, from homes to trust funds. They’re going to want revenge. Or they’re going to want to get you committed so they can take over your power of attorney. I also expect they’ll try to have your grandfather committed. That’s why I have asked you to let us arrest them for this kidnapping.”
Georgie squeezed his hand to calm him down. “I understand. Look, they can try all they want, but I have things in order now. They can try to get me committed all they want. They can’t. And even if they try, I have that covered too. I’ve been busy these past couple of days. No control will ever go to them. They’re powerless.” Georgie frowned. “It breaks my heart that I had to do what I’ve done, but I don’t know if I could live with myself if I sent them to jail. I know they are cold-hearted people who did the unimaginable and kidnapped me, but I still have hope things can change.”
Kord looked down at her and she saw pity. He didn’t like it. It was her choice, but he understood her reasoning. “Wait, what have you put in place?”
“I worked with Olivia. If I’m ever incapacitated, you have my health power of attorney. You, my grandfather, and Olivia would step in as my financial power of attorneys. Two out of three have to agree before any money is moved.”
“They’ll challenge the paperwork and have you declared incompetent when you signed it,” Kord warned.
Georgie smiled up at him. “Don’t you think Olivia thought of that? I’ve had separate psych evaluations done by the top three doctors in Charleston. They all signed affidavits that I was of sound mind when I signed those papers.”
“You have been busy. Thank you for trusting me to look out for you, both in person and in paperwork.” Kord kissed her quickly before they moved up in line.
“Nothing says I love you like being designated as a power of attorney,” Georgie joked. But then all conversation came to a halt as they were next up to order. Pie was very serious business.
So was the night they spent together. Georgie never thought discussing a long-term future with trusts and power of attorneys as foreplay, but it was. It showed trust, commitment, respect, and love. It showed the “what if we’re not together in two months” worry was no longer on the table. It was now their future. Together. And that was a major aphrodisiac.
The way Kord easily picked her up and carried her upstairs. The way he’d paid attention every time they kissed and touched so he knew exactly where and how to touch her that sent her heart racing and her body exploding. The way he seemed to both overpower her and protect her all at once while making her feel as if she were the center of his universe. It was a forever kind of love.
22
Kord had never had two completely opposite warring feelings before. He was incredibly happy and in love, but he was also incredibly worried and fearful of Georgie’s parents. All had been quiet, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was going to happen, even though everything in his life was going so right.
That morning they’d made love hard and fast and then slow and long. They’d talked, laughed, and loved as they got ready for Sunday brunch. Her grandfather was joining them and Kord had reserved a table at Kerri’s restaurant right next to Harper’s Bar. Kerri was in a long-term relationship with FBI agent Peter Castle, who had helped out the Shadows Landing sheriff’s department several times. They were a good couple and she was an excellent cook.
“This is nice. I’ve only done brunch here with Maggie a couple of times,” Georgie told him as they walked into the restaurant.
“My grandmother and I would always eat after church together. It was my job to run to get our table. However, Kerri’s is a great option if you don’t want to do the race for barbeque.”
It was fun though. At church you would vote with your donation to the church on which barbeque place, The Pink Pig or Lowcountry Smokehouse, won the Sunday special. Then everyone raced to get one of the limited tables. Kerri opened up for Sunday brunch, reservations only, because too many people were left with no options. Some of the older generation appreciated not running.
“We missed you both at church this morning.”
Kord froze as he heard Reverend Winston behind him.
Georgie turned to him with a big, bright smile on her face. “I’m sorry about that. But I promise, I praised God multiple times this morning. Oh, here’s my grandfather. I don’t think you’ve met him yet.”
Kord stepped back as Georgie introduced Dell to Reverend Winston. He glanced out the window and saw Gavin, Ellery, and the very sweet and spunky Miss Tibbie coming inside. Kord opened the door as Gavin carried their little son, Chase, in his arms.
“Oh, thank you, Kord,” Miss Tibbie said, taking his arm after he offered it to her. “It’s so good to see you again. I heard all about you finally getting together with that sweet Georgie girl.” Miss Tibbie was a classic southern lady. She was in her early eighties and was never seen without her face on. Meaning in full makeup, every hair in place, and wearing pearls. She was always impeccably dressed and always, always in the know about everything to do with Charleston society.
Miss Tibbie steered Kord straight over to Georgie and her grandfather. Reverend Winston greeted her and then made his way to his table. Kord introduced Miss Tibbie to Dell and stood back.
It was living art—the older generation speaking to each other. The manners, the phrasing of the questions, it was all so different from today. It was actually beautiful to watch and listen to since people didn’t speak like that much anymore. There wasn’t a single, like, um, whatever, dude, bro, or bruh uttered as they exchanged pleasantries, but then Miss Tibbie cut right to the heart of the matter.
“Grandchildren are such a blessing. But, your son . . . bless his heart. Your son lacked having to cut his own willow switch and it shows. Now can you make up for it with this precious couple?”
Kord knew Miss Tibbie would call it as she saw it. He had to squeeze Georgie’s hand to stop her from jumping in. Dell could handle himself.
“I plan to work every day making up for my deficiencies as a father. Actually, I was talking to the Townsend boys. I’m still not sure which one is which, but they were all telling me how they’ve either moved or will be moving to town. I was thinking of buying a house in Charleston for whenever I wanted to visit so I could be closer to Georgie. These young people need their own space if I’m to get great-grandchildren. But I sure would like to be close by.”
Miss Tibbie nodded knowingly. “Good idea and I have just the place. It hasn’t hit the market yet, so you could get it before there’s a bidding war on it. It’s a beautiful historical house overlooking Charleston Harbor. It’s just a couple blocks from where Elijah and I live. I could arrange a private showing for tomorrow if you’d like.”
“I’d love that. Your husband sounds like just the kind of man I’d enjoy talking with. I do love sailing and to have him show me around the yacht club in Charleston would make settling in here so much easier.”
Georgie had a look of disbelief on her face as Tibbie and Dell finished their conversation, exchanged numbers, and set a time to meet at Tibbie and Elijah’s house tomorrow. Her grandfather had just made his own friends.
“You’re going to buy a place to be closer to me?” Georgie asked once they took their seats. “I thought I would have to move to Boston to run the business.”
“Home is where the heart is, Georgie. And your heart is here. Everything is so global and digital nowadays. You can have headquarters anywhere. Plus, it’s just a short flight away if you need to have in-person meetings. Now, what’s good for brunch?”
* * *
Kord held Georgie’s hand under the table as brunch wrapped up. He could feel Georgie’s body radiating with happy energy at the idea of moving the headquarters to Charleston.
“What about Shadows Landing?” Georgie asked Kord. “I could set up my headquarters here just as easily as Charleston.”
“I’ll support you no matter what you’d like to do or where you go,” Kord told her. It was true. If it meant leaving Shadows Landing, then that’s what he would do. But he was glad to hear that she wanted to stay. “You know, there’s that house just two down from Olivia’s law office. It needs some work done to it, but it’s going up for auction if the unpaid taxes don’t get paid by the end of the year. The owners died and the person who inherited it doesn’t want it, so they just stopped paying any bills on it. With some work, it would be beautiful, just like Olivia’s law office. I bet you could make them an offer and snap it up in a heartbeat.”
Georgie spun in her chair to face him with excitement. “It would be large enough for a complete office with the two stories. I think my father has fifteen people on staff. We could easily fit that or more in that house, especially if we move things around when we fix it up. Lydia had even been talking about wanting a part-time job when Lennie gets a little older and all the kids are in school.”
“I think it sounds wonderful. Want to walk by it now so you can show it to me?” Dell asked.
Kord, Georgie, and Dell walked to the door where they met Gavin, Ellery, baby Chase, and Miss Tibbie as they were also leaving. It was a happy party who walked out into the sun together. They paused on the sidewalk as Ellery told Dell about something. Kord’s attention though was on a single motorcycle idling at the end of the street.
Georgie turned to say something to her grandfather, her backpack purse hitting Kord enough to make him look away from the motorcycle. When he glanced back, the motorcycle was speeding down the road right toward them. He wasn’t doing anything illegal, but Kord had a bad feeling. He moved to stand between Georgie and the street when at the last minute the motorcycle jumped the curb to avoid hitting a van coming in the opposite direction.
Kord heard the screams and pulled his gun, but it was too late. The motorcyclist pulled out an expandable police baton. As he sped by Kord on the edge of the sidewalk, he hit Kord across the upper arm. The force was so hard, Kord was flung to the ground and lost his grip on his gun, which fell into the street under a car. The motorcycle spun, revved its engine and pointed something that looked like a gun at him. Kord tried to roll but was too slow. The prongs latched onto his exposed neck and Kord felt fifty thousand volts shoot through him.
Georgie’s scream pierced the haze of the electrical fog. The motorcycle was racing away as Kord forced himself to roll over. He blinked as he saw the side of the van open and two men leap out. One grabbed Georgie in a bear hug from behind. He lifted her up and dragged her to the van while the other took several blows from Miss Tibbie’s purse and punches from Gavin, but it wasn’t enough to protect Georgie. Another taser was deployed and Gavin went down. The second man leaped into the van and they tore off toward the marina with Georgie inside.
Kord was down for only a few seconds, but a few seconds was all it took. Georgie had been taken again.
“Kord! Are you hurt?” Dell’s face was shoved in front of Kord’s vision, but he had what he needed.
Kord had his phone out and was rattling off the license plate of the van to Tristan when Peter Castle and half the town came running out to see what had happened.
“I’m okay, Dell. Are you hurt?” Kord asked as Tristan ran the plates.
The man looked broken. “They took her.”
“I’ll get her back. I promise.”
Granger’s SUV slid to a stop. “Get in!”
Kord didn’t have to be told twice. He leaped in and Granger floored it as people on foot chased after them down the street. “I saw them head toward the marina.”
Granger didn’t stop when the pavement stopped. Instead, he jumped the curb, sped through the grass, and only stopped when they were inches from the dock. The van and motorcycle were abandoned next to them.
Tristan radioed back, letting them know both vehicles were rented by an addiction and mental health inpatient hospital out of Boston, but with several resort-style locations. Everything made sense in that split second. They were trying to get Georgie committed.
“Wade!” Granger shouted into his phone as he and Kord sprinted down the dock to the sheriff’s boat. “They took Georgie. They’re on the water. My jurisdiction ends soon, but yours doesn’t. Grab Peter or Paxton and find us.”
Kord jumped onto the boat as Granger untied it from the dock. Kord switched on the engines while Granger shoved it from the dock and jumped on. The engines roared to life and Kord went full speed out of Shadows Landing.
Granger was on the radio, asking for information from other boaters while Kord focused on driving. He looked down the side waterway that ran behind the church and saw Skeeter’s pirate ship sails unfurl and knew he’d be following behind. At the same time, Gator and Turtle were running to their boat. Gator had a giant burlap bag in his hand as they jumped on their boat and took off. Kord had backup, albeit not your normal backup.
“Every boat in Shadows Landing is behind us. Ryker is meeting Wade at the marina since Ryker’s boat is the fastest,” Granger said before his radio crackled. “We have reports of a speed boat moving at full speed down the river toward Charleston.”
Kord pushed the police launch as fast as it could go as Granger called in Charleston police and the Coast Guard. Kord cast a glance behind them. Ryker’s speed boat was in the lead of a Shadows Landing navy that ranged from the pirate ship and a pontoon boat filled with Lydia and her kids, to a fancy luxury boat with Gage Bell at the wheel and Maggie Bell standing at the bow, rifle in hand. It was the scary-looking black speed boat that was closing in on Ryker that caught Kord’s attention the most.
