Anything for His Son. Rita Herron

her head into her hands, breathing deeply as if she might pass out. Ethan stroked her back, although his own chest ached and his pulse raced with fear.

      “The blackout,” Ty said. “We think Liam is responsible.”

      “For the entire blackout?” Rebecca asked.

      Ty nodded. “Liam has blown up two BP and L power plants in town.” He turned to Ethan. “He’s just beginning. Last night LeBron’s daughter, Princess Ariana, was in town for the celebration of an international trade agreement. She joined dignitaries from around the world at the John Hancock Tower. President Stack and the vice-president were there, too.”

      Ethan’s stomach turned to lead. “Ty works as Secret Service for the vice-president,” he explained to Rebecca.

      “I still don’t see what this has to do with Jesse,” she whispered.

      “It’s part of Liam’s master plan of revenge,” Ty said. He angled his head toward Ethan. “Shane was there last night, too. He planned to test the security surrounding the Beau Pays sapphire on exhibition from Prince Frederick. The party was in full swing when the blackout occurred. It was a freaking nightmare for all of the Secret Service and guests.” Ty made a disgusted sound. “Shane received a message about that time. It said, ‘Are you afraid of the dark’?”

      Ethan gripped his phone with shaking hands. “I received the same message.”

      Ty didn’t seem surprised. He continued, “As soon as the lights went out, goggled men swarmed the building and took everyone hostage. They threatened to kill the attendees if the president and vice-president didn’t show themselves.”

      “What happened?” Ethan asked.

      “Stack and Grant handed themselves over. The men tried to leave with them, but in the confusion, the president escaped. He’s fine now, but Grant is still missing.”

      “This crazy man has the vice-president?” Rebecca asked in horror.

      “We think so,” Ty confirmed.

      “Liam targeted Grant for revenge,” Ethan said, the full picture forming in his mind.

      Ty nodded again. “The entire Special Forces team is being targeted, Ethan. Shane and Chase have already been hit.”

      Ethan dreaded the answer to his next question. “Are they all right?”

      “Shane survived. But not before having to deal with Colin Shea, one of Liam’s sons.”

      “His sons are involved?” Ethan asked.

      “Up to their eyeballs.” Ty shifted.

      “Liam’s sons were close to their father,” Ethan continued, “and blamed the Eclipse team for his arrest. They think we betrayed Liam.”

      Ty sighed. “Colin wanted the sapphire. Shane tried to protect the stone, as well as Princess Ariana. Thankfully, Ben Parker, one of the FBI agents Shane has worked with in the past, managed to divert the shooter and Shane escaped.”

      “Thank God,” Ethan said. “What about Chase?”

      “Liam’s other son, Aidan Shea, climbed into Chase’s limo, pretending to be a dignitary. He pulled a gun, threatened Chase, then escaped.”

      Ethan propped his elbows on his knees and leaned into his hands. “Is Chase all right?”

      “Yes. But Aidan claimed he’d lose everything that mattered to him.”

      Ethan contemplated the threat. For him, it meant Jesse. For Chase? “Lily?”

      “I’m afraid so. Chase managed to get to the hospital before Aidan got to her.” Ty grunted. “She was pregnant.”

      “Hell, don’t tell me Aidan killed her.”

      “No, they went on the run. Finally Chase called Ben Parker for help. Unfortunately Parker was killed. Chase called me to warn me about what was going on, that Liam Shea was involved, and that he suspected Liam had something even bigger planned.”

      “And now Jesse is missing.” Ethan released a string of expletives.

      Rebecca’s soft cry twisted his heart. “He took our son to get back at you?”

      Guilt slammed into Ethan. Rebecca was right. It was his fault their son was missing. That mission ten years ago had brought this horror on them now.

      He remembered Liam’s fury at the court-martial hearing. The rage in his eyes when he’d been sentenced to prison. His vow of revenge.

      Liam didn’t care whom he hurt, as long as he paid them back for what he saw as their betrayal.

      And poor little Jesse was being used as a pawn in his twisted plan.

      Ethan shook with the force of his fear. He knew Liam well, had witnessed how irate and focused he could be.

      God help them.

      He didn’t want to tell Rebecca, but Liam was coldhearted enough to kill Jesse to get back at him.