Page 25 of Grayson’s Challenge

“Did you see them leave?”

“They knocked me down. But I heard one of them saying something about the vans. They had more than one.”

Grayson squeezed her hand. He had to ask the next question, even though he didn’t want to. “Have you been able to communicate with Dad since he was taken?”

Every blood-bonded couple had the ability to communicate telepathically.

She hesitated and touched her temple, then nodded. “Yes, for a moment. When they dragged him outside, he sent me a psychic message. He said he could see at least five dark vans, maybe six, and that they looked like the black-out vans Scanguards uses. But then he was gone. As if they knocked him out cold.”

A tear ran down her cheek, and Grayson knew he couldn’t ask her whether she sensed if Samson was still alive. She was in enough pain. “That information helps. Five or six black-out vans can’t just disappear. We’ll find them.”

“Yes, we have to,” Delilah said. “I can’t lose him.”

“I’ll bring him back to you, Mom.” Not just for her, but also for himself.

She nodded. Then her gaze strayed past him to where Faye lay on the floor. Maya was still holding the IV-bag up to infuse Faye with more blood.

“How is Faye?”

Maya turned to meet Delilah’s gaze. “I don’t know yet. How are you feeling? Do you need more blood?”

Delilah shook her head. “I think I’m good. Just worried about Samson and Cain.” She sniffled. “The attackers staked two of Cain’s guards right in front of me. Their families… we have to let them know.”

Even with her own worries, Delilah still thought about others. “We will, Mom.” Grayson looked at William. “You know their families?”

William nodded. “I do. I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you,” Grayson said. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I’ll fill Thomas and Eddie in about what to look for on the traffic cam footage.”

He punched in Thomas’s number, when he saw Monique enter the living room again. She dropped two travel bags at the door. She’d changed from her red cocktail dress into a pair of tight-fitting jeans and an equally tight cream-colored sweater that accentuated her slim figure and athletic build. Her long hair looked damp, evidence that she’d taken a quick shower. Despite everything that was happening, he couldn’t help but let his eyes roam over her body. Even knowing her true identity couldn’t diminish his desire for her. He was irrevocably in lust with Monique.

~ ~ ~

Monique noticed Grayson look at her, his expression unreadable. But instead of studying him to try to understand what was going on between them, she tore her gaze from him. She couldn’t worry about him and their relationship right now, if it could even be called a relationship. Other things were more important: her mother’s wellbeing and her father’s rescue. She had to devote all her energy to these two issues.

Monique approached her mother, who still lay on the floor, and crouched down, when she noticed that Faye was stirring.

“Looks like she’s coming ‘round,” Maya said.

“Mom? Mom? Can you hear me?” Monique asked and leaned over her, her hand on her mother’s shoulder.

Faye’s eyelids fluttered. It took another moment, before she opened her eyes.

“Thank God,” Monique murmured.

“Cain. They took him,” Faye pressed out and sat up.

“Slowly,” Maya cautioned and pointed to the IV that was still attached to Faye’s arm. “How’re you feeling?”

“As if somebody had poured acid into my veins.”

Monique shuddered at the thought. “Do you remember what happened?”

At the question, Faye looked to the sofa, where Delilah sat, looking much better. “Delilah, are you okay?”

Delilah nodded. “I’m fine.”

With a sigh of relief, Faye turned her gaze back to Monique. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so glad you weren’t with us when it happened, or they might have taken you too.”