Chapter 52

*Deacon* 

I knew it was hard on Ryker, seeing Iris in so much pain. I could see it in his face, as she grimaced, it hurt him. I was still in awe of the spell she had on him, on all of us. Even the men who hadn't seen her cross the threshold of the Lorcane house were terrified and livid when she was taken. Each of them, ready to die, to bring her back. Either she was so special, or they knew Ryker wouldn't survive it if we couldn't save her. I had to admit, her pain affected me strongly too. Not in the same way it had him, but as if someone had hurt my sister. She was so small and fragile. Claud, he was going to suffer for putting his hands on her. Ivy is also small, but less fragile. She was more like worn out leather. I know we have rules against hurting women, but it's very hard to keep that rule this time. Brett was a good choice to keep her. He had never really felt the charm of Iris. After we got her into her chair, I went and got the car and pulled it to back exit. Ayden wasn't exactly a family doctor, so, he had a lot of security in place. As we helped her in the car, I saw her eyes tear up from the pain. “Take one of the pain pills Ayden gave you Iris.” I reached her a bottle of water. I noticed she hesitated with the little white pill in her hand. “Take it, Babygirl. I don't want you to be in pain.” Ryker said, making it sound less like a suggestion, and more like an order. 

Ryker was so shaken from her pain; I don't think he even noticed the conflict on her face. I wondered if she had trouble with addiction before. Ryker had mentioned before he thought she ran from Ohio, maybe that is what she was running from. “If you think it will make you to drowsy, maybe just take half.” I shrugged before turning around and starting the car. I saw Ryker shoot me a look as if to say, “stay out of it”, but I avoided looking back at him. If he mentioned it later, I would explain my thoughts. Eventually, she took the pill, but I could still see a flash of guilt cross her face. Opioids are very addictive, and I hoped that regardless of what she tells him, he would keep track of what she was taking.  There were boundaries I couldn't cross in their relationship, and I would have to respect that. Still, if I need to bring it to his attention, I will. I was very vigilant as I drove. Watching every car that came close to ours. We had a security detail behind us, but I found myself watching further behind them. Someone would have to kill me to get to them again.   

I talked with my family, and they understand that I will be spending most of my time at the Lorcane house until this was all resolved. Not only to be there for Ryker and Iris, but also to ensure no one follows me home. Not many people know of my family, or where they are located. Ivy knows I have a family, but even she was never trusted with any locations or names. I won't put my family in danger because I chose to work for the most dangerous prosecutor in the city. Ryker was doing so much better as a professor. He had let the dangers of his past go. They dragged him back in. They brought Lorcane back, and with that comes hell. He will bring them all hell until he knows his love is safe again. We still awaited a call from Brett and the security team to say if they found Claud. He had orders to take him down and bring him to the dungeons. Behind the house, in a shed, there is a lower level. This is where we keep people to interrogate them. When Lorcane would hear of anything he did not want happening in his city, violence was his way of handling it. He would use violence to get to the leader, and then he would use the law to take the leader out as well. It sounds bad when you talk about a lawyer, a prosecutor at that, but it is more common than one would think. Especially for men as powerful as Ryker Lorcane. He got so dark, so fast, especially after Ivy went missing, that he just stopped one day. He saw his monster and he shut him away. If we find Claud, he will meet that monster, and so will all of the ones who sent him.  I will be standing right beside him, like I always have been.  

When we arrived at the house, I felt a calmness cover the car. Everyone was relieved to be home. I looked back as we pulled through the gates and Iris was laying quietly on Ryker’s shoulder. They weren't speaking, just being, enjoying the quiet and togetherness. I smiled to myself, also enjoying the peace on their faces, though I knew it wouldn't last long. The world wouldn’t allow it to. The security detail pulled in behind us and I got out with them. They surrounded the car, armed, and in what looks like swat gear. They were afraid one of the Punisher assassins would try sniping. Unfortunately, the Lorcane house is known to them. I thought of requesting we go back to the house by the campus but I knew this is where Iris wanted to be. We can keep them safe here. Beef up the security some and watch the around the perimeter. After the car was surrounded, Ryker and I helped Iris into the chair and Ryker pushed her up the temporary metal ramp he had installed within the time it took for us to make it home. He works fast. She looked up at him, surprised by the ramp, and he told her he had her covered with a wink. She giggled and reached back, touching his hand. Once inside, I heard his phone ring, and I knew the peace was over. “Where is he?” He growled before slamming the phone on the table. Nothing yet.

Within minutes of being inside, Iris wanted to lay down on the love seat and watch a movie. “Let’s do that.” Ryker said pushing her over and then helping her to the loveseat. He grabbed a blanket she must have left on the back, and threw it over her. He moved the chair and sat down beside her. She leaned into him and flipped though some movie channels. Fatal Attraction showed up and she looked up at him. “Seems legit.” She said giggling and grimacing. He chuckled a bit too. I watched as he sat there holding her to him closely. I knew he thought, not long before this, that he would never be able to do that again. I felt a vibration in my pocket and pulled out my phone. The message was from Brett.  

**Tell Boss I know where he is hiding. We are on our way. -B** 

I looked over at the two of them, existing together on the love seat. Just talking normally and watching the movies scroll by, and hated to disturb it. They were acting as if the past few days never happened, and I didn't want to bring them back to reality. At the same time, I knew Ryker would want to know immediately. “Hey boss, Brett thinks he found him.” Ryker looked over at me and his eyes got wide. He was excited. “Call the nurse.”