Protecting Her Secret Son Read online

  “All right.” Doubt clouded her features as she watched him work the drums.

  Daniel tried to see the club owner through her eyes. With his dark hair going gray at the temples, his stocky build and perfect rhythm, Grant looked more like a rock star defying the years than a savvy club owner with a gift for private investigations.

  “He knows how to be discreet.” Daniel forced himself to stop talking. She’d held up remarkably well considering strangers had snatched her son and threatened his life, but no one had adequate words to ease her distress.

  Her lips pressed into a tight line, she wrapped her arms around her midsection and glanced around the space while they waited. Grant had transformed the rundown warehouse into a gleaming, popular night club. Daniel couldn’t help wishing he’d been on hand for some of the build.

  Grant finished the song and pushed his headphones off his ears, waved when he spotted them. “Be right there.” He stepped away from the drums and tucked the sticks into his back pocket. He ducked out of sight for a moment, then reappeared from backstage, hurrying forward, his limp barely noticeable.

  “Daniel.” Grant reached out and the men clasped hands with a comfortable familiarity. “You’re early.” His astute brown eyes swept over Shannon. “I take it this isn’t a social call.”

  “No, it’s not,” Daniel said. “This is Shannon Nolan. She’s had some trouble today and we could use some advice.”

  Grant’s thick salt-and-pepper eyebrows arched up and he reached out, shook her hand. “What kind of trouble?”

  She started to answer and stopped herself with a quick shake of her head. “I should go.”

  “Not alone,” Daniel said. He waited until she lifted her despondent brown eyes to his. “Not alone,” he repeated. She did too much on her own and this wasn’t a situation anyone could be expected to handle without help, regardless of the kidnapper’s demands.

  “Come on back and fill me in,” Grant said in a friendly tone that softened what could easily have been an outright order.

  He led the way down the hall, gesturing for Daniel and Shannon to enter the office first. “Have a seat,” he said, closing the door.

  Daniel appreciated the consideration as they sat down in the mismatched guest chairs in front of Grant’s desk. Though the club was deserted right now, the prep crews would be coming in soon, along with the featured band and the warm-up acts. He didn’t want anyone overhearing what Shannon had to say.

  Grant’s chair squeaked as he settled in, and he gave Shannon a cautious smile. “What happened?”

  “My son was kidnapped from the sitter’s house this morning.” Tears welled in her eyes, but her voice was clear and steady as she relayed the story.

  Daniel made mental notes, only chiming in when Grant asked a question about the damage, the timing. While she explained it all, Grant looked over the first text messages on Shannon’s phone, reviewed the less-than-helpful incoming call log.

  “Nasty work using kids as pawns,” he grumbled. Grant’s famous scowl was edging toward the ferocious end of the spectrum as he handed Shannon’s phone back to her across the desk. “Who is the boy’s father?”

  She fidgeted in her chair, shoulders hunched and her palms pressed between her knees. “I don’t have any influence over him. The only time he cooperated with me was when he granted me the divorce. I haven’t even been back to New York.”

  “You never told him he had a son?” Grant asked.

  “No.”

  At Shannon’s whispered answer, Daniel felt his heart clench. Twice now, in text and by phone, the kidnapper had told her she’d only get Aiden back once the father cooperated. If she didn’t have any influence over the man, it was no wonder she didn’t show much hope.

  “Could the boy’s father be the kidnapper?” Grant asked, echoing a theory Daniel shared. “Maybe he found out and decided he wanted to be a dad after all.”

  “No.” Shannon sat up straight. “He would have been furious to learn I was pregnant. I left him—left town—before he found out.”

  As she nibbled on her lower lip, Daniel sensed she left something dark and ugly unsaid.

  “Why?” Grant pressed. “You were afraid of him?”

  “Yes.” She closed her eyes, her hands fisted on her knees hard enough to turn her knuckles white under the spattering of gray paint. “He turned into a different man after the wedding.”

  Daniel could see she wanted to leave it at that. Just as he could see Grant’s cop instincts were humming. He had his teeth into this now and wouldn’t let up until he had all the facts.

  “Who is the boy’s father?”

  “It’s irrelevant.” She sniffled and another tear rolled down her cheek.

  Grant’s chair squeaked as he leaned back. “I don’t think so.”

  “Can you help me find my son?”

  Daniel wanted to give her another hug and let her cry it out, though it wouldn’t help anything. He recognized the defeated look in her eyes, the utter helplessness dragging at her, having seen it in the faces of people certain they were going to die even as first responders did everything possible to save them.

  “If you give me the whole picture, we have a much better chance of success.” Grant drummed his fingers on the desktop, watching her. When she refused to volunteer any information, his penetrating gaze shifted to Daniel. “How did you meet Shannon?”

  “She’s a Jennings employee,” he replied, taken aback.

  “How’d you get yourself involved in this?”

  Daniel didn’t care for his tone and his temper started to simmer. “This isn’t her fault.” Grant flicked his fingers, urging him to answer. “I was talking with her on the job this morning when the kidnapper first made contact.”

  “So you trust her?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m right here,” Shannon snapped.

  “I know.” Grant gave her a cool stare. “Until you give me what I need, I’m forced to tackle this from a different angle. How can we help you if you don’t help us?”

  “The kidnapper said no police,” she replied.

  Grant pointed at himself. “I own a nightclub.” He aimed that same finger at Daniel. “Firefighter and contractor, right there. I don’t see any cops here.”

  Again, her silence stretched, filling the room.

  Grant opened his mouth and Daniel knew what was coming. “Not so fast,” he said to both of them. “She needs us,” he said to Grant, then shot a glare at Shannon. “No disrespect intended, Shannon. You’ve done a great job on your own from what I’ve seen, but this isn’t a matter of independence or providing. You’re up against hard men, criminals who’ve done this before, in my opinion.”

  “I’d agree, based on the sitter’s account,” Grant added.

  “Shannon, you need Grant’s connections to get your son back safely.”

  “They will send Aiden back to me in pieces.” She curled into herself, rocking a little. “It doesn’t matter who has connections.” She hiccupped as tears slid down her face again. “I h-have no influence over Aiden’s father. When the kidnappers realize it, Aiden is no use to them.”

  Grant pushed to his feet, sent the chair rolling back as he leaned over the desk. Daniel had never seen him take such an intimidating tack with a person asking for help. “Tell me who the father is.”

  Shannon’s shoulders trembled and her eyes were locked on her work boots. “Bradley Stanwood.”

  “I’ll be damned.” He yanked his chair back into place. “Stanwood of New York.” The chair protested with another loud creak as he dropped into it. “I knew you looked familiar.”

  “Pardon?” Daniel looked from Grant to Shannon and back again. Had she been a celebrity or married to one? That wasn’t something he kept up with, though there were people on his crews that did. “You kn
ow her? How is that?”

  “Her ex-husband has ties to organized crime up and down the East Coast.” Grant rubbed at the lines creasing his forehead. “When I was still a cop, Stanwood and his less-polished associates were connected to more than a few crimes here in Philly. My guess is one of his enemies grabbed their son for leverage.”

  With better context, the name clicked into place for Daniel. He managed to smother an oath before it slipped out.

  Shannon sniffled, rocking gently again. “You can’t help me at all, can you?”

  “On the contrary,” Grant said, fingers drumming on the desktop again. “Now that I know what we’re dealing with, I’ve got a few ideas brewing already.”

  Chapter 2

  Shannon stared at Grant, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole. This was the first time since leaving New York that she’d faced someone who understood what a big mistake her marriage had been. Settling in Philly, she’d been able to start over with a new name and a clean slate, free of Bradley’s unpleasant baggage. From the sound of it, this former cop knew her husband better than she had before she’d said her vows.

  Yes, she’d found her backbone and negotiated a divorce before their second wedding anniversary, but that victory felt small and empty now.

  “What sort of ideas?” Hope warred with caution. Her ex had a long reach, obviously, and serious connections as well. What a fool she’d been to think Philly was far enough removed from his circle of power in New York.

  Grant studied her, the anger and intimidation replaced by kindness and compassion. She felt small and petty for being irritated by it. Her wounded pride did Aiden no good. She needed Grant’s help, his plans, if they were to rescue her son quickly.

  The former cop countered her question with another. “There hasn’t been a true ransom demand?”

  She shook her head as Daniel said, “No.”

  Sliding a look at her boss, she still couldn’t figure out why Daniel hadn’t bolted. “Shouldn’t you get back to the site?”

  This time, the “no” came from Grant and Daniel simultaneously.

  Grant leaned forward in his chair. The sympathy in his warm, brown eyes made her want to rage and scream. Yes, she’d been an idiot to marry a madman, but she was different now, older and wiser after the harrowing experience. She didn’t want anyone to see her as helpless, no matter that it was true. She checked the urge to pound on the nearest wall. Barely.

  “I may run a nightclub now, but I still have connections within the police department.” He barreled on before she could launch a protest. “I’m going to make some discreet inquiries about your ex-husband. I’ll find out if he’s been seen in the area, catch up with any gossip on the latest investigations, that sort of thing. I can couch it within the context of the business. Not everyone doing business near the river is legit.”

  She turned her phone over and over in her hands, willing it to leap to life with some news of Aiden. “And what do I do? Just sit at home and wait?”

  “Actually, I’d rather you didn’t sit at home,” Grant said.

  Shannon raised her head in time to catch the glance Grant exchanged with Daniel.

  Daniel rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

  “What’s fine?” She didn’t appreciate decisions being made on her behalf, without so much as a discussion. Although the two men in this room were honorable, nothing like her ex-husband, the lack of input or control only stressed her out more. “This is my son’s life we’re talking about.”

  “Yours, too,” Grant said baldly. “I’d like you to stick close to Daniel for the next few days. I know it’s inconvenient, but I see it as a necessary precaution.”

  “I need to be at my place or at work.” If she didn’t stay busy somehow, she’d lose her mind in the bleak pit of worry. “Shouldn’t I be where they know to find me? In case they bring Aiden back.” It sounded like a starry-eyed fantasy as the words tumbled from her lips. She couldn’t let her trouble disrupt Daniel’s life. He had enough to juggle managing the nearly finished project and the charity house.

  “Alone, you’ll be a tempting target,” Grant explained. “They could pick you up on a whim and we risk losing you both.”

  Daniel lurched up and out of the chair, pacing in front of the closed door, one hand shoving at his black hair.

  “Better that than a burden,” she protested, avoiding Daniel’s restless gaze. “He has a life and two jobs already. He doesn’t have time to babysit me.”

  “It’s fine.” Daniel leaned back against the closed door. “I’m using personal leave from the PFD so I can oversee the charity house. I was going to assign you to that next anyway. We’ll save time and gas and all that if we’re together.”

  A few hours ago, working on the charity project had been her biggest hope. Now, it felt flat and insignificant. “You’ve insisted on only the best crew over there. I can’t imagine I qualify with my mind on Aiden.” Her heart was broken. “I know keeping busy would help, but my concentration is gone.”

  “I can find something for you,” Daniel promised.

  Nothing short of holding her baby again would restore her. She’d seen enough documentaries to know kidnapped children were rarely returned. Children stolen to manipulate crazy ex-husbands...well, she didn’t want to contemplate the long odds there.

  Grant cleared his throat, gaining her attention. “It’s imperative you have someone with you at all times. I can assign someone else, but Daniel is here and available,” Grant said. “He’s familiar with you and your son. He has reason to come and go from here as well, without raising suspicion.”

  “Won’t your inquiries at the police department raise more suspicion?” she asked. By accident, she’d overheard her ex bragging to a friend about having an entire narcotic squad in his pocket. It had been a transforming revelation, one that hadn’t gone well for her when he found out. “Couldn’t it get back to Bradley or whoever has Aiden?”

  Grant tipped his head to the side, wrapping one hand with the other. “It is possible Stanwood or his connections in Philly have cops on the payroll,” he admitted. “That’s just the nature of the beast when it comes to criminal syndicates. More often, lately, they think they have more pull than they really do. I can promise you I’ll be careful. Your name won’t come up until I’m sure it’s necessary.”

  Somehow his candor did more to soothe her than any overconfident assurances. It was nice that he understood that her ex and his enterprises could mean serious danger for any uninvited party poking around.

  She turned her phone over and over in her hands, wishing it would ring with another picture or a demand she could fulfill. “I don’t have money,” she murmured. What she had were secrets—secrets she couldn’t share without putting the two men trying to help her on Bradley’s radar.

  “Remember, your son is leverage,” Grant said. “The kidnappers know that and will treat him accordingly.”

  She considered the safety seat they’d used and silently acknowledged Grant’s point. “Organized crime and reputable construction companies don’t go together. It might be best for you and the company if I use my saved vacation days.” She didn’t want to undermine all the good work he and his father did.

  “You can’t be alone,” Daniel stated.

  Hearing the tone he used when he ran up against a hard decision on a job site, she knew it would be useless to argue. Still, she tried. “Maybe Grant should assign someone else. It doesn’t have to be you hovering as my shadow.”

  He glared down his nose at her, his arms crossed over his chest, his short sleeves struggling to hang on as his biceps flexed. “You have a problem with me now?”

  Yes. She liked him, respected him, and she knew how important he was to his company as well as the PFD. Besides, he couldn’t possibly want the added responsibility Grant was giving him. Sure, anyone c
ould be hit by a bus crossing a street on any given day of the week, but her past had caught up to her. Her odds of getting hurt—or worse—were much higher. Whoever stuck by her would also be in greater peril. “You have other things to do. If it gets out that I was once Mrs. Stanwood, it could become a serious problem.”

  “If it does, we’ll deal with it,” he said with a shrug.

  It wouldn’t be that easy, not with her ex in the picture. Grant had a good idea what Bradley was capable of, but very few others could comprehend the uncontrollable threat he posed.

  “Satisfied?”

  Not even close. She held up her hands in surrender. “Fine, I won’t be alone.” She swallowed another spate of tears. “My son is. Say what you will about leverage and safety, I want to hear every aspect of your plans to rescue him.”

  Grant swiveled the chair back and forth. “It will take some time to ask around, get some answers. Once the kidnappers state specific demands, we’ll have a clearer path.”

  She understood the logic. Too bad she had no idea how she was going to hold up if they didn’t find Aiden quickly. On his best days, Bradley had been arrogant and unsympathetic as he dealt with people who interfered with business. His enemies clearly held the same standards. She worried over what her son would see and hear and how he’d be treated.

  “What do I say if they call?” she asked.

  “Hit record if you can,” Grant answered. “We can listen for any clue in the background noise. Do your best to cooperate without promising anything. I’ll stay in touch through Daniel.”

  He had to know he was asking the impossible. She’d willingly give up anything, promise anything, to have Aiden back home safe.

  “Shannon.”

  She met Grant’s gaze when he repeated her name, gently pulling her attention from the brittle edge of shock and misery. “I’ll try.”

  “You’ll make it,” he said with a confidence she didn’t feel. “You were strong enough to leave Stanwood. That couldn’t have been easy.” His eyes flicked to Daniel and back to her. “You’re strong enough to handle this the right way. We’re here to help you.”