Page 14 of A Burning Rage

I slide my fingers into Beth’s hair. “You don’t have to attend the hearing, sweetheart. You’ve never gone to any of them before. Troy and I will be there.”

“This is the first time we’ve had any indication that he might be released. I have to be there, Shane. I have to look that monster in the eye.” She pulls back from me and sits up. “I should get up. The kids will wonder where I am.”

“Your mom offered to stay and take care of them.”

Beth shakes her head. “I can’t let this situation get the best of me. I still need to function.” She swings her feet to the floor and reaches for her sandals. Her voice takes on an unfamiliar hardness. “Andrew nearly destroyed me once. I won’t let him do it again. I’m not the same naïve girl I was back then. I have something to fight for now—my family. I won’t let him make me cower.”

I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips to kiss. “You won’t be fighting alone. You have me and Troy and Sam and Cooper and Tyler in your corner.” I sit up next to her. “Speaking of your brother, I need to call him. He needs to know.”

“He’ll be furious.”

I chuckle wryly. “That’s an understatement.”

While Beth goes to check on the kids, I pick up my phone to call Tyler. When Tyler first hired my company to provide personal protection for his sister, he was a grim and surly Chicago homicide detective. He’s no longer a cop—he was basically forced off the job when he violated the conditions of his administrative leave by investigating the disappearance of his boyfriend’s young sister. He not only found her, but he exposed a human trafficking ring, and rescued Ian’s sister, Layla. He saved dozens of other young women in the process. It cost him his career in law enforcement, though.

Even though he’s no longer on the force, Tyler’s still a bit grim and surly, although Ian certainly has softened Tyler’s sharp edges. I’m sure marriage has something to do with the improvements to Tyler’s personality.

Tyler picks up my call immediately. “Shane, hello.”

“Hi, Tyler. I’m sorry to bother you.”

“It’s no bother. I’m doing some very routine and boring surveillance right now. This is a welcome distraction.”

After leaving the police force, Tyler formed his own private investigation agency, along with his new husband. He and Ian work together now.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“I’m afraid we’ve got a situation. Andrew Morton has a parole hearing Thursday morning at ten. Troy received a heads up that Andrew’s psychiatrist is going to recommend he be released.”

When our phone call goes silent for a moment, I start to wonder if our call got dropped. Then I hear a loud noise which sounds suspiciously like a fist pounding a steering wheel.

“What the fuck!” Tyler growls. “His shrink has always indicated before that Andrew remains a threat. Why the change now? Shit! How is Beth taking the news?”

“Not well, I’m afraid. She’s understandably upset.”

“The hearing is Thursday, you said? I want to be there.”

“I figured you would. Beth is coming as well. And, of course, Troy and I will be there.”

“Do you really think it’s a good idea for Beth to attend?”

“I’d rather she didn’t, but right now she’s insisting, and if she feels that strongly about it, I’m not going to try to talk her out of it.”

He exhales heavily. “Does Mom know?”

“Yes. She’s here at our house right now.”

“Forward the details to me. I’ll be at the hearing.”

After we end the call, I leave the bedroom. I find Beth and Ingrid in the kitchen preparing lunch. Luke is seated at the kitchen table coloring. Ava is in her highchair playing with brightly colored wooden blocks.

“Daddy!” Luke says when he spots me. “Look! I’m coloring a shark.”

As I walk past him, I reach down to pat his back. “Good job, buddy.” Sharks are his newest fascination.

The door to the garage opens, and Sam and Cooper walk in.

“You guys are home early, too?” Luke says with a chuckle.