Hi happy Friday hope you all enjoy this next chapter and one should follow pretty quick. Enjoy

Chapter 54

I saw her escape the questions that were starting to be asked and run up to go talk to her sisters and waited till she was out of range. She was already on edge and I wanted to talk to the guys here now before presenting it to the rest of the family. We didn't know how far this would stretch; would they go after our extended family that was not here? I'd call Vince and Daddy once we had a plan in place and tell them what had happened this weekend and to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.

The threat was imminent.

I when she told me she felt she was being watched and asked me if it was me, the knot in my gut appeared and had decided not to leave. I always trusted my gut and I knew this danger to our family was something we could not take lightly.

I knew then and there that they would attempt to do her harm. Who was still the question and we had a list as long as my arm of who would want to use her to hurt me and unfortunately she had a list of people who would like nothing better than for her to disappear.

Once we talked I would let the rest of our family know what we had planned and if they could do the same we needed to be on the same page our loved ones lives where at stake. I looked at Devin as he saw her go up the stairs also. He walked to the base of the steps as we heard her call out to her sisters and Star yelling at Beast not to knock CJ down. Laughter was heard next and it warmed my heart. She needed normalcy at this time and I wanted to give it to her.

Devin nodded, "She's out of range Cowboy so let's get to talking."

Uncle Roy looked at me as did Too Mean. Will stopped talking to Tiny and Luca and waited for me to speak.

"Mattlock. What happened at the beach? I knew there was something more, you could see the tension in all of you when you walked through that door pretending everything was alright. So get to telling the tale now son."

I went into detail about what had happened when we left the bar.

I skimmed over the fight. Uncle Roy was too sharp to let it go and gave me a look. The man was too good at reading peoples tells.

I told them everything, not wanting to but it had to be said. I told them how I had screwed up with CJ our argument and her storming off asking me to leave her alone and how she had walked away from me and later asking me where I was hiding since she couldn't see me but felt me looking at her.

Too Mean cursed. Will threw his hands up, opened and closed his mouth and looked at his dad.

"Mattlock, you left her alone on the beach? I swear where are those feathers at Tiny? You know I should box your ears in for that lapse in your judgment."

I knew he wasn't going to be happy but I wasn't expecting Will and Too Mean to chime right in after they had their fill of pointing out my faults and how lucky that nothing had happened to her I tried to get back on track.

I raised my hand, "okay did everyone get that out of their system? Good now we need to formulate some plan to keep everyone upstairs safe. Devin said something earlier that I hadn't thought of, if they are targeting CJ they might target those around her. We need to be vigilant with all of the ladies in our circle. That means Carol, Maureen, Chris, Star and your Momma G might be on their radar now. I wouldn't put it past them to use them to get her to do what they want and you know CJ she would sacrifice herself to ensure her family is safe. We need to find out who our enemy is and exactly how long they've been watching. The last I heard her abductors are still in the jail ward at the hospital. That could be a place to start because if they were let go and no one said anything heads are going to roll."

They all agreed, Too Mean said he'd call his contact at the police station to get the ball rolling.

"She said she had felt someone had been watching her for weeks. For all we know they are just waiting for the right time to do her harm, okay we need to figure out what we are going to do right Cuz, I don't want anything to happen to my sunshine."

Devin threw up his hands.

"Weeks are you guys serious? It's been weeks and are only following through now?"

Uncle Roy spoke up, "Son she just told us today that she has felt like she was being watched. If she had said something earlier she would have had bodyguards when any of us were not around. She's like this, stubborn if you stick around you'll see. She doesn't want to bother us with these matters thinking she's not important."

"How do you think I felt Popeye? She's been by my side these last couple of months and she didn't let on once that she felt unsafe or that she felt someone was watching, do you think I would have left her alone to go fishing this weekend oh thank God Maureen had to have her appendix taken out or she would have been alone and vulnerable with her two sisters in Vegas that's why she was here at my house she was house and dog sitting for us. Oh the best part of this is her taking out the hound from hell and him dragging her down that dark empty pier finding Jake and her saying she felt someone watching her there. Yeah I wasn't happy but I need to reign it in and if you can't then you are only going to be a hindrance. I am slowly putting this all behind me and focusing on the now. What kills me is that she cares so little for her own life that she thinks she's not an important part of this family. Doesn't she understand that without her…:"

I drug my hand through my hair and turned away. I didn't want to go through that dark hole again.

Devin shook his head.

"She is important to all of you but the dang woman doesn't see this, I'm sorry for losing my cool but I'm over protective, you could be saying the same thing about Star why didn't we step in sooner, but you need to understand there is an open door policy at the bar if you want help you need to ask we won't turn you away but you have to want it. CJ impressed me when she came into my bar alone looking to save Star. At first I just thought she was lost but she started asking questions and she piqued my interest and well I'm sure the Cowboy here was not happy to hear she went on her own. She is a spitfire and would do anything for those she cares about. I respect that. Just hearing Star sing her praises and her sisters yeah she is special."

Damn I couldn't hate this guy but if he continued trying to come between me and my girl well…

"Did my nephew tell you about her abduction? That was the worst time of our lives, she doesn't understand that she is the glue that keeps us together. She means so much to each and every one of us that I aged 20 years that week she was gone. So I am all for keeping all our women safe. I don't think I could handle another episode like that one. Each one of these ladies has a special place in my heart and we need to find out who is after my niece. Yes you are right she is special and I've known her most of her life. You will never meet another selfless person like her, she puts everyone first, how she stood by this horses' ass is beyond me, I love my nephew but it was hard to see what his 'distractions' did to her and took a toll on my niece. He needs to make this right to show all of us he's worthy if not..."

He looked at me, "Like I said we talked, everything is on the table. She knows exactly how I feel I spoke from my heart, which I should have done a long time ago. I can kick myself for losing all that time when the woman that was right for me was always right beside me. I'm just amazed she still wants to see where this will take us. I am one lucky fellow and no one will harm her ever again. She will remain safe or I will die trying to keep that promise."

"Sir he told me some of it not much but we need to get all the details can one of you fill us in? Cowboy you have enough on your plate and I'm not gonna ask her, I said something earlier and it triggered something in her and I don't want to put any more stress on her than she already has.

Too Mean said he would fill in the blanks as did Will we all agreed we would keep all our family safe.

"Okay, Boys they will target the women cowards that they are, they will go for the weak point in our chain but little do they know that they are stronger and smarter than they give them credit for. Too Mean we might have to move that training up to tomorrow. Some basic moves to take someone down and give them time to run."

Luca came to Uncle Roy "Sir, I volunteer to teach my future wife how to defend herself and if she needs a bodyguard, I am your man. Too Mean I taught a self-defense class down at the community center by the pier, I'm sure I can get a room there if we are willing to teach anyone else that wants to learn."

Uncle Roy gave him that look and I smiled as someone else was going to be in the hot seat.

"Your future wife? Is she aware of this? And what makes you think she'd want to go out with you? Shouldn't you have asked her family if you are allowed to see her? Well? What makes you think you can come in here and court one of my nieces? From what Momma G has told me you have a new girl every week, I'm sorry but I don't think you are good enough for her."

Luca looked dumbstruck he was about to say something when Too Mean stood up.

"I appreciate your offer that would be perfect to teach our ladies how to defend themselves. But Roy's right, what makes you think you are good enough for our Carol? Tiny my man is it true about a new girl every week. If so then I think you will be disappointed since we will not let you even stand next to her let alone guard her so what's your story man? Do you fall in and out of love at the drop of a hat? Houston, what do you know about this guy?"

Luca looked at me and Devin had a wicked grin as he mouthed payback.

Will chimed in, "I've gotten to know Carol these last couple of days, yeah she is special and from what I've observed she will keep you on your toes, he Cuz didn't she have a date just the other day what was the guy's name she was pretty smitten by him."

I smiled. I knew what Will was doing. He and Carol had done it to me and I was happy to be on the other end this time.

"Wait what my future wife was out with another man recently? Is she going out with him again? Did they exchange numbers? Where did she meet him and why didn't anyone tell me someone was after my girl."

"Okay we are getting side tracked young man we will be discussing this later, I am going to see if Carol wants your attention if not we will have to shut this down as soon as possible. So what else do you think we should do Mattlock? Should we go through all your old cases, I know a couple that stand out and we haven't checked on them to see if they are still in custody, this abduction might bring them out of the woodwork and as much as it pains me they might think she's an easy target. To get back at you the list is long I can have Chris pull up all your cases and find out where they are, especially Duval and the Preacher. They were very vocal at their sentencing that they would hit you where it hurt the most."

I felt sick because they knew my Achilles Heel, my weakness.

CJ.

"We'll start there Uncle Roy. What about Butz and Piser? I know they have some powerful friends and they are delaying their trial with no CJ and the rest of the women aren't upstanding citizens… Damn we need to find out their whereabouts. I totally forgot about those two bastards. I might have to call Hoyt or can you call your connections. It makes sense they have a lot to lose and she is the key witness in their trial."

"Who the hell are these guys? I need more details. I have lots of friends in the CIA and FBI so give me the details and why do they want her gone?"

I was about to answer when we heard the screams from upstairs.

"CJ!"

I didn't think I just acted running up the stairs dreading what I was about to find cursing myself and swearing I'd never forgive myself if they hurt any of them upstairs.