Chapter 210
“Mason just called with his real number but hung up before I could speak,” Ivy said, walking into the room.
Silas turned to face her. “That’s just mean at this point.”
Ivy’s mouth twisted in frustration. “What do we do now? This is… getting weird.”
“Easy now,” Silas said, standing to meet her. “Let’s call the police. I’m sure they can track him with the number.”
Worry etched on her face. “What if the number doesn’t go through?”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m sure they can track it, even if the phone’s dead. Let’s just hope he isn’t as smart as Rosie.”
His thoughts drifted to Rosie, and his chest tightened. It was a mixture of anger and curiosity. He had called Thomas all day yesterday, and none of the calls had been returned.
He remembered Detective Spence’s statement, and uncertainty joined the rest of his emotions.
Was Island Nova real? Or was Rosie lying again?
Are you alright, baby?” Ivy asked softly, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Yes, I am,” he replied. He forced a smile and reached for his phone. “Let’s call the police.”
“He hasn’t even asked for the money,” Ivy said. “He’s just playing with us, enjoying our frustration.”
Her annoyance deepened, and he kissed her again. “Don’t worry. He’s definitely getting caught.”
She only nodded.
Just as Silas was about to call the police department, his phone rang with an unknown number.
His forehead furrowed, but he answered. “Hello?”
“Silas. This is Bailey. Are you home?”
He relaxed at the sound of her voice. “Yes, I am.”
“Good. I’m on my way.” Then she ended the call.
“Who was that?” Ivy asked.
“Bailey. Said she’s coming.“)
“Okay then. Let me-” Ivy was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it.”
He reached the door and opened it. It was Theresa, and she was carrying little Cole.
“Hey, Si,” Theresa greeted warmly. “I have to get busy now. Monica isn’t around either.”
“It’s okay,” he said, taking the baby.
“Tell Ivy I’ll call her,” she added.
Silas nodded and closed the door. Little Cole was asleep, looking clean and cozy in a cute new outfit.
“Someone’s here,” he said, handing him to Ivy.
He saw the struggle in Ivy’s eyes. She so badly wanted to love this child for his innocence, but the attachment was making it hard. He couldn’t relate, but he understood.
“Hey, Cole,” Ivy said, rocking him gently.
The image of her rocking their child, nursing their own, made Silas’s heart flutter. He quickly looked away before he gave in to the baby fever.
He stepped away to call the police. The call was swift as he got straight to the point, explaining what Ivy had told him.
1/3
1:04 PM
Chapter 210
“Can you put her on the phone, sir?” the officer asked,
“Sure,” Silas replied and handed the phone to Ivy. “The cops.”
Ivy took the phone with one hand, gently laying Cole on the bed with the other. Emotions surged again.
Ivy had changed.
Only a few hours with Cole, and she had developed a maternal instinct she wasn’t even aware of. She even whispered to the officer, but her tone still tinged with the right amount of frustration.
Silas didn’t focus on the call until it ended. “All done?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Let’s just hope his pin location is enough to catch him.”
“I hope so,” he said softly.
Before Ivy could respond, his phone buzzed with a message. He checked it, and frowned. It was from an unknown number:
“I left your beautiful wife a gift in her office. You’re welcome. It’s your sister–in–law.”
Rosie.
His heart dropped, and he tried to hide it, but Ivy had already noticed.
“Are you good?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, forcing a smile. “I just remembered I have something to do downstairs.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I’ll be back soon.”
Silas left before Ivy could say more. He immediately called Tyler.
“Hey, Tyler. I need you to go to my wife’s company and retrieve anything weird you find. Immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Tyler said, then ended the call.
Silas sighed. His chest tightened. Whatever Rosie had sent, it couldn’t be anything good. He ran his hand over his head and went downstairs.
Just as he reached the hallway, the front door opened, and Bailey walked in.
“Hey, Bai,” he greeted.
Bailey didn’t answer. Her brow was furrowed, and her mouth was twisted. “A private place for discussion. Now.”
Silas didn’t argue. He led her to his study. Once inside, Bailey marched to him, her eyes blazing.
“Why the fuck did you lie to me?” she growled.
He blinked, slightly intimidated. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t give me that, Si!” she snapped. “I saw Mateo Castro at Uncle Mike’s club last night. And Thomas was clearly protecting him. You Stones are hiding something, and I’m going to find out what.”
Silas lifted a brow. “Calm down, Bailey,” he said, moving closer. But she stepped back. “I have no idea what-”
“That’s what you say!” she spat. “I trusted you, Silas. I thought you were different. But I guess not.”
Panic rippled through him at the madness in her eyes. “Bai…”
“I came to tell you I’m no longer giving you grace, I’m investigating right away.”
Silas pursed his lips, confusion swirling inside him. She hadn’t left yet, which meant she expected him to explain.
But what could he say? He had no idea what had happened. And he wasn’t about to throw Thomas under the bus.
“Bailey…”
She scoffed, her eyes gleaming with disappointment. “I knew it!” she yelled and stormed out.
Silas exhaled. He had no idea what just happened–but there was only one way to find out. He dialed Wade because he knew Thomas wouldn’t answer his call.
2/3
Chapter 210
Wade answered immediately. “Hey, Silas.”
“Hey, Wade. Is Thomas still at Night Bird?”
“He should be. He has been spending a lot of time there. Why?”
“I need to talk to him. Thanks, Wade. Later.” He ended the call.
Without overthinking, Silas found Victor, Bud, and Stud and had them follow him. In no time, they arrived at Night Bird. Relief surged through him when he spotted Thomas’s car parked outside.
He stepped inside, the floor littered with evidence of a wild night. He waved at Chen. “Is Thomas around?”
“Yes, sir. He’s in the boss’s office,” Chen replied.
“Thanks,” Silas said, heading upstairs. “Stay here,” he instructed Bud and Stud.
He knew the club like the back of his hand. Over the years, he and Thomas had spent a lot of time here with their cousins. Even with its yearly renovations, Night Bird hadn’t changed much.
When Silas entered the office, Thomas looked up from his laptop.
Hey,” Thomas said, standing up, surprise lighting his face. “What are you doing here? I was going to call you.”
Silas was tired of the lies and excuses. He just wanted the truth. “What happened last night?” he asked, going straight for it.
He watched as Thomas’s expression shifted from shock, to fear, then anger.
“What are you talking about?”
Silas flared. “Don’t give me that! I’m done with your lies. Tell the truth, Thomas. If our family is in danger, we need to know.”
“We’re all fine. Noth-”
“Bullshit!” Silas snapped. “What was Mateo Castro doing here yesterday?”
Thomas went silent and Silas knew he had cornered him.
But instead of confessing, Thomas lunged, shoving Silas to the ground. The fall had been so unexpected, and it left Silas defenseless as Thomas rained punches down on him.
“Leave me alone!” Thomas yelled.
The blows kept coming, and in no time, Silas was covered in his own blood. He took hit after hit until Bud, Stud, and some of Uncle Mike’s staff pulled Thomas off.
Thomas stood there panting, his eyes wild, his knuckles red. “Get out!”
Bud and Stud helped Silas to his feet. Pain, embarrassment, and disbelief twisted inside him.
“Are you alright, sir?” Bud asked, his voice filled with concern.
Pain pounded in Silas’s chest as they led him to the car.
He wanted to cry. He couldn’t believe Thomas carried this much hate.
Maybe it was time to stop playing nice. Thomas obviously didn’t deserve his loyalty.
“Bud
