73. Chapter Seventy-Three
Chapter seventy-three
Adair
A full day had passed since my almost death anniversary, and while I felt infinitely better now knowing Avery’s side of the story, and having chatted with Lynette about it, I couldn't shake off the bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Lianne, Ryan, and Peter were also extra on edge.
I about jumped out of my skin when Lianne walked into the living room and sat down next to me. “Hey.”
She gave me a tight smile. “So, we’ve received a hell of a tip about something most of us have been waiting for.”
“Oh?” Why are you telling me?
Lianne nodded. “Yeah. Considering the subject, I would like you in the war room and at the briefing.”
My mouth dropped open. “What? Me? Why? I’m not on the team.”
She reached out and gently grabbed my hand. “Maybe not officially, but you are of this world and part of this family. You also have a lot at stake when it comes to Liam and whatever bullshit he’s going to pull in the next twenty-four hours.”
“What about Peter?”
“I’m right here.”
I glanced up and let out a relieved sigh as he walked into the room. “Well, let’s do this.”
We headed to the basement, and even though no one was in there yet, there was a completely different vibe in the war room than during the birthday party.
Once we walked into the room, I stopped. “Where should I sit? I’m going to assume people have their favorite seats.”
Lianne pulled out a chair next to her and patted the top of it. “Next to me. Peter can be next to you. Everyone else will filter in and figure it out.”
It didn’t take long for that to happen.
Once we were all seated, all eyes were on Lianne, who took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“We received a tip from an extremely reliable source that Liam is planning to bring Chloe here tomorrow.” An appropriate amount of outrage exploded in the room for a moment before Lianne cleared her throat.
“Now, if it was just Liam, this would be a much shorter meeting, but he knows exactly what he’s doing by bringing his daughter along. ”
My niece. I didn’t want to believe that Liam would use his own child, and I ground my teeth as anger built up in me. Peter’s hand took mine and squeezed.
“Oh shit!” Ryan’s outburst caught all our attention, but his focus was fixed on Lianne. “This is what that recording was about.”
“What recording?” I looked around the room, noting I wasn’t the only confused face.
Lianne’s eyes were wide when I brought my attention back to her.
“Oh, my god. You’re right. This is the person we’d never say no to.
” Tears formed in her eyes. “He’s literally using Chloe to get in, knowing we won’t turn her away.
Fucking bastard.” There was silence for a moment before she went on.
“I’m not going to chance hurting Chloe. She’s still innocent in this.
We have to let her inside, which means Liam has to be allowed into this house. ” She grimaced as she said the words.
“Lianne, we can’t let him--”
“Edison St. James, I will not turn away my niece and my mother’s granddaughter. This is not up for negotiation.”
Silence descended on the room as Lianne glared at Gage. It was terrifying.
Ryan let out a tense breath. “With all due respect, Don Agosti, what do you want us to do? You have a standing order that Liam is not allowed on the property or within the house.”
My eyes went wide at his use of Lianne’s formal title. Not that I blamed him. I would have used it, too.
Memories of his attack on me flickered through my mind, and I cleared my throat.
“It’s a game to him.” I looked at Lynette.
“You’re not the only one playing the long game.
Liam had dozens of contingency plans. They clearly haven’t worked out, and now he’s getting desperate.
He knows you and Lianne would never turn Chloe away.
This visit and its guests are intentional.
He’s banking everything on this move.” I shifted my focus to Lianne.
“He knows he’s not allowed and is calling your bluff.
Unlike him and his wife, you’re not a heartless monster.
” An incredulous laugh came out. “This is how he thinks he’s going to win. ”
Lianne shifted her attention to me. “That’s just it. He thinks he’s going to win, but what brother dearest doesn’t know is that he can’t. We have the manpower. We have the firepower. We have the right to take him out.”
“Li…”
Her attention snapped to Lukas. “Choose your next words carefully.”
“Think about the timing.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What about it?”
I let out a resigned sigh. “They know I'm here.” Lianne opened her mouth, but I shook my head. “It’s been seven years since my attempted murder. Susan will have tried to file for my death and access my inheritance by now and found out it’s not there or hers to take.
She's figured out I'm very much alive and that your family has something to do with it. I’d bet any part of my inheritance they want to get eyes on me and finish what they started.”
Ryan leaned forward, looking between me and Lianne. “We’re going to need a very carefully crafted plan.”
Lianne nodded. “Agreed. One thing at a time. First, we have to get Chloe away from him as quickly as possible. Just because I'm letting him on the property doesn’t mean I'm not going to do everything in my power to protect that precious little girl.”
“He’s going to expect that.”
Lianne sighed and sank her head into her hands at her mother’s comment. “I know.”
“I have an idea crazy enough, it might work.”
Lianne looked over at her best friend. “What’s that?”
Now Jess leaned forward. “Chloe loves me and Connor. Remember your wedding? We tore up that dance floor with her and Ben’s nieces.
And that Christmas? We were inseparable.
You and Lynette were the only other people she wanted to play with.
Now, I know it’s been a while since she’s seen me, but if I go outside with the greeting party when Liam shows up, maybe she will want to come by one of us.
If Connor or I can get our hands on her, we’ll immediately bring her inside and place her in Grandma’s loving arms. If one of us needs to stay with her to keep her calm and happy, then I’ll make sure she’s good.
I’m also sure we can convince Uncle Ben to make some cookies for her if we need a bribe. ”
Lianne nodded slowly as she thought it over. After a moment, she glanced over at Lynette. “Thoughts?”
Lynette nodded. “I think it’s a good idea.” She glanced to her left, where Lukas, Ryan, and Gage were lined up. “Boys?”
All three men smirked before nodding. Lynette Agosti was probably the only person, aside from Lianne, who could call them boys and live to tell the tale.
“What about Liam, then? Are we really going to let him walk in? Especially after how things went down the last time he was here?” The tension was thick in Ryan’s voice, and it made me nervous.
I looked at him, confused. “What happened?”
“Liam tried to bully and force his way into the house not long after Mr. Agosti’s death. He had more than one firearm trained on him and almost was the recipient of several bullets.”
“Oh.”
Ryan nodded, his eyes dark with rage. “It took a lot of self-control not to shoot that man.”
Lukas cleared his throat. “So, who is going outside to meet with Liam and Chloe, aside from Connor and Jess? And what is that going to look like? The very last thing I wanted was Liam anywhere near Li or Mom. I know they can handle themselves. It’s him I don’t trust.”
Lianne crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her brother.
“While I appreciate your concern, you don’t get to tell me no.
Pat him down, restrain him in handcuffs, make him lie on the ground.
Do whatever it is you need to make yourself more comfortable having him in the same room as me, but I am going to look him in the eye and demand an explanation for his visit. ”
Lynette looked at her daughter. “Lianne, who would you like outside to check Liam and escort him in? And please do not pick your brother.”
“Mom!”
Lynette glared at her son. “No, Lukas. Look me in the eye and tell me you’d be okay with Lianne going out there and clearing him herself.”
“I can’t.”
She nodded. “Precisely. If it’s too dangerous for her, then it’s too dangerous for you. Would you like me to get Quinn down here and ask her opinion of you being out there with your brother?”
“No, Momma.” He slunk down in his chair slightly.
Lianne huffed out an irritated breath. “Safety aside, I’m also not confident you won’t kill him and start a war before I have a chance to hear him out, especially considering what Tori told us.”
Lukas let out a tense sigh. “Fine. Who is allowed to go out there, then?”
“Dante or Ricky are typically covering the gate during the day, so we’ll have one or both of them, pending how much lead time we get.
” Lianne chewed on the inside of her bottom lip as she thought.
“Take Regina and Peter.” Gage tipped his head to the side and gave Lianne a curious look, one she returned.
“You’re going to sit there and wonder why I’m keeping you inside?
Aside from me wanting you to stick to my mom like glue, I’m not convinced you won’t go for blood when Liam starts running his mouth. ”
He clenched his jaw. “I wouldn’t do it without a direct order.”
It was strange sitting in such an esteemed group of mafia people, seeing their rage and indignation at Liam. On one hand, I felt so validated. On the other hand, it was absolutely terrifying.
Regina leaned forward on the table. “That covers the outside protocol. What’s the plan for inside? Where are we having this meeting of the minds?”
“The foyer.” Lianne’s response was immediate. “The otters will come down here with Talia with knowledge that they might end up in the safe room if things get too wild.”
Ryan nodded. “I appreciate that. What about Lynette?”