Chapter 115

**Artemis**


I don’t want to leave Blue even for a second, but my phone started ringing and seeing my grandfather’s name appear had me worried. We haven’t spoken in some time, and I haven’t bothered checking in to see what he’s been up to.

“Grandfather.”

“Hello Artemis. I hear congratulations are in order. Three children, very impressive. Thanks to your brother’s lack of a son your first born will continue on as the head of the family one day. Very good news indeed.”

I want to tell him that by the time my son is old enough to take on any sort of business he won’t be alive. No way will I push my children to be under such pressure.

“Thank you for your congratulations. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?”

He chuckles. “Straight to business is see. Alright. I have found your parents and have sent some men to bring them back home. Iris will come to stay with me-“

“No!” I say interrupting him.

“I’m sorry?”

“No. Let her come live with us. She will be around children close to her age.” I offer as an excuse.

The real reason I don’t want her going with him is because she will be molded into what my grandfather wants and lose her childhood to it. She deserves better, and I know that Blue will care for her like my mother never did and I will try to be better than my father was.

“I see. I suppose it would be difficult for her to thrive living in an empty house with a relic like me. I will be sure to have the guardianship papers written up. Now I must warn you that I have lost track of Tethys. It seems that his wife no longer wished to be part of a family in shambles. A mistake on her part, but that is a separate matter altogether. Needless to say, your brother is unhappy and on the run. Let me know if he contacts you. We will speak again soon.”

He ends the call without another word. I turn around to head back to Blue’s room but am pushed aside when an army of nurses start to rush past me.

“All available personal, large pile car crash with many victims.” An announcement says through the hall.

It takes a ridiculously long time for everyone to leave before I can head back to our room, and I notice that every single nurse is gone. How could they leave no one behind for this floor? This is unacceptable. I will be taking Blue home today and call for a doctor to look after her and the babies at our home.

I make it back to the room and see the door slightly open. When I push it open and step inside, I see our three babies asleep in their cribs, but Blue is no where to be seen. I check the bathroom and it’s empty. Where is she? She wouldn’t leave like this. My phone goes off again and this time it’s a number I don’t recognize.

“Who is this?”

“So hostile brother.”

“Tet? What do you want?” I bite out.

“So many things brother but right now I want to be given what I lost because of you and your street slut. I will admit though, you have good taste. I thought so when I first saw her. Maybe I could keep her now that you have the heirs you need. Grandfather would never let me take over our family now, so that means he will choose you. You have fulfilled all your requirements for your inheritance, so why not let me have the girl?” He laughs and I hear a muffled scream. “She’s a fighter that’s for sure.”

“What have you done?”

“I took a bargaining chip to use for a deal between us.” His voice is so cold and detached and familiar.
It’s the way our father always sounded when he was angry, and how I used to sound like as well. He molded us in his image, and we fell right in line. We turned into the heartless monsters he wanted, and now Tet has taken things too far. His lack of empathy has made him act without conscious. What sort of man takes a woman who just had surgery delivering three babies?

“If you hurt her, I swear there will be no force in this world to keep me from killing you.” I growl.

He laughs again. “I look forward to it brother. Besides, isn’t it always the fate of brothers to battle until one is dead? Now, you have a chance here. Pay me a hundred million and ten million every month for the next ten years. Then I will return her to you.”

He’s insane. I have more than enough money to pay what he wants but if he thinks I will give him money for the next ten years he’s crazy.

“I can pay the hundred million but the rest I can’t do. I need that money to provide for Blue and our children.” I’m lying but I want to see what else he has the balls to ask for.

“My offer is nonnegotiable! Quick brother, your woman is not looking so good.” The call cuts out with the sound of whimpering.

God has Blue’s stitches could have ripped and she could be bleeding out. I don’t have time to ask the authorities for help here. So, I call the crew I know will be able to help. I am going to owe the guy a ton of favors, but I need him now. I quickly dial the number and start packing the bags for the babies.

“Artemis! What can I do you for brother?” The General says when he answers.

“My brother took Blue from the hospital.” I say without any pleasant greetings.

“Shit. What do you need from me?”

“Do you have any way of tracking the number he used. I didn’t recognize it, but I know you guys are capable of doing the impossible.”

“Wow a compliment from the great Artemis Rhodes, I’m honored. Tell me the number.” I rattle off the number and wait. “It looks like it was a burner phone, but I can send the location. What else can we do?”

“I need help finding her. Do you have any men state side that could help. I don’t want to depend on the police.” I ask him.

“Let me make a few calls.”

“Thank you general.” I hardly ever thank anyone, but he’s done enough for us to earn it.

“No problem.”

I end the call and pull up Rhea’s number.

“Hey brother we were about to head over! How’s Blue doing?” She says excitedly.

“She’s gone. Tet took her.”

“What? That’s impossible!” She says with a weak laugh. “He disappeared after mom and dad ran. No one has seen him in weeks.”

“Well, he’s here and he took Blue, but thankfully not the babies. I need you to come and get them. They gave us formula for them so that should hold them over while I search for Blue. He wants money.”

“Of course, he does. Artemis, you need to call the police.”

“No. I’m going to have help but I’m not waiting for the police to try and pull resources together for negotiating. I called a friend and I trust him and his men more than the police. Trust me. Now can you come get the babies?”

“Of course. I leave now. Artemis…I’m so sorry.”
I sigh and run my hand through my hair tugging on it as I go. “I can’t lose her Rhea. She doesn’t deserve this and maybe it’s selfish for me to hope she will be strong through all this, but I can’t live without her.”

“I know. I knew it the first time I saw you guys cuddling in bed for the first time. I had never seen you look so peaceful, and you even had a small smile on your face. You had found your person and even if you didn’t realize it then, your heart knew.”

Her words hit me hard. After our first night sleeping together in the same bed, I never wanted to be anywhere else. Like Rhea said, it’s like my soul had found its home and it latched onto her. She’s changed me so much, and now has given me the biggest gift. I need her so much that it physically hurts when she’s away from me too long.

My asshole brother thinks he has played me, but he has no idea how far I’m willing to go for my wife. I will do anything to get her back even if it means killing him.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call. “I have another call on the line.” I tell Rhea.

“Okay. I’ll text you when I leave.”

I switch to the next call. “General.”

“I have a few guys in place. Where should they meet you?”

“To my new office space. I’ll send you the address. And general…make sure your men bring their weapons. My brother either gives himself or doesn’t walk away at all.”

“Understood. This is off the books. Do what you have to do.”

I plan to.