Alicia woke up to the sound of many voices. She realized she was still on her sister’s couch and covered with a blanket. She remembered telling her story and passing out. She sat up, feeling very groggy. Ray and Drake were sitting at the table drinking coffee. Drake was playing with Carlos, who was in his high chair, grinning.
Alicia stood up and looked out the window. The sun was peeking through the still-closed curtains. She heard Jasmine in the kitchen talking with Alana.
Ray came over to her and looked at her with concern. He rubbed her arms softly. “You okay, sis?”
She nodded and took in a deep breath. She let it out slowly as she dealt with the memories of John being involved in all of this. He even had the nerve to check up on her.
“I need coffee. Where are Noah and Tony?” She was afraid to ask, but also afraid to not know what happened after her confession last night. Her confession had taken a physical toll and she had just shut down. She felt rested, but her stomach was tied in knots.
“They went to arrest John.” His lips thinned with anger. “The asshole had cleared out of his apartment. He told his manager he was taking a vacation. He must have known they would discover his association with Novak sooner or later. He ran like the cowardly dog he is.”
Alicia felt her stomach twist with fear. She had been hoping to hear he was in jail just like his buddy Novak. Alana came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee. She handed it to Alicia. “Want something to eat?”
Alicia sipped on the hot liquid. “I’m not sure I can eat right now. I feel sick to my stomach.”
She headed toward the dining room table and sat down. Drake gave her a sympathetic look. “Noah will find John. You know that, right?”
“I know. I just hoped I could put it all behind me once and for all,” she confessed sadly. “You don’t think he is still in town?”
“He’d be dumb to hang around here. People are already hearing about Noah, Tony, and Matt raiding his apartment and the bar. They found cocaine in his office and stacks of money. His manager confessed the bar wasn’t doing well. Noah thinks that is why he got involved with Novak’s drug business. He needed the cash to put in his business. People are angry he was involved with Novak all this time.”
Jasmine came out of the kitchen and sat next to Alicia. “I knew he was a douchebag, but this has shocked me. As traumatic as it was, I am glad you remembered. Tony will not let John hurt you again.”
She put her arm around Alicia’s shoulder. “W
e are all here for you, Alicia. You don’t have to face this alone. Tony will not stop looking. He is one pissed-off male. I feel sort of sorry for John.”
Alicia smiled, thinking of Tony. Thoughts of him made her feel warm inside. She knew he would do everything in his power to get John. “I know.”
* * * *
Tony was fuming. How did John know they were coming for him? He wanted the satisfaction of seeing John’s face when they announced they had a warrant for his arrest. Noah was on the phone with the sheriff from Morehead. He was informing him of the new updates and having Helen fax pictures of John. Tony couldn’t believe that John would want to hurt Alicia. He had been angry with John for his womanizing ways, but it came as a very real surprise he was involved with Novak in any way.
“I wanted him,” Tony muttered to Matt. “I wanted to see his face when we told him we knew he had been selling drugs under our noses. I still can’t believe he was involved in Alicia and Janice’s disappearance.”
“I know. I can’t believe it myself. That is so fucked up in so many ways.” Matt ran his hands through his hair. “He can’t be in town. That would be stupid. He has proven he is not smart though.”
“He does have a way with the ladies. He could have one of them hiding him.” Tony reminded him, feeling disgusted at the thought of some unsuspecting woman being fooled as Alicia had. He wanted John behind bars.
“True,” Matt agreed, and turned to look at Noah when they heard the phone close.
“Sheriff Kincaid is putting an APB out for me and calling Green County. He is also going to interrogate Novak and see what he has to say about this new development,” Noah said, looking exhausted. He yawned. “I say we get some shut-eye and start again later. I am determined to find John. He will be joining his pal in a jail cell and orange jumpsuit.”
They all headed out of the station. Tony rode with Noah to his place to collect Alicia. He wanted her with him or he would never be able to rest. Matt was heading to the hospital to update Holly. Tony knew he would sit and wait for Holly’s shift to end.
The Blake house was filled with people. Alicia was feeding her nephew. He stopped at the doorway and just observed her. She was making funny little noises at the boy who would grin and open his mouth. It looked like a messy process.
He’d never thought about having a wife and children. A year ago, he would have said, “Hell no, that is too much responsibility.” Now that he knew he was in love with Alicia, he could picture her round with their child. He didn’t feel trapped. He felt warm and humble inside. He would tell her he loved her as soon as he got her alone. He walked up to her, putting his hand on her dark hair.
Drake and Ray sat at the table. Noah pulled up a chair and was talking to them about John. He saw Alana and Jasmine in the kitchen. For the first time in so many years, he felt like he had a family besides just Matt. They’d never seen their father again and he had no desire to. He had been fine with just Matt in his life, but now his life felt more enriched as these people became important to him. Alicia’s family might not like him, but he was here to stay and he would protect them whether they liked it or not.
“Did you eat?” Alicia looked at him. “Alana and Jasmine cooked enough food to feed an army.”
“We did,” Jasmine agreed with a chuckle. She had a plate of food in her hand and placed it on the table. She ordered Tony to sit and eat.
“You sure you want to marry Jazz?” he asked Drake playfully. “She’s kind of bossy.”
Jasmine punched him in the arm and Drake chuckled, blowing a kiss to his fiancée.