73. Chapter Seventy-Three #3
She chuckled as well and nodded. “You know what? We get through tomorrow, and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Peter
After dinner, Adair opted to watch a movie with Quinn and Ellen instead of sitting in another meeting.
“No offense, but my anxiety is already pretty high, and if I'm going to have a prayer at being a badass tomorrow, I need to at least try to wind down. Hanging out with the girls ought to do it.”
I gave her a quick kiss. “Avery and I are a text away if you need anything, okay?”
She grinned and gave me a tight hug. “I’m just a text away, too.”
I headed back down to the war room, where most of the crew were already assembled and sat in the chair I'd used earlier.
Lukas walked in as Lynette texted someone. “Who are you talking to, Momma?”
Without looking up, she responded. “Someone who can help us with Chloe.”
“Why do we need someone for Chloe?”
Lynette glanced up at her son. “Do you really think your sister, and Don, is going to let Liam leave the house once she grudgingly lets him in?”
Lukas almost looked offended. “Well, no.”
“And do you think she’s going to let my sweet grandbaby out of our protective arms once we have her?”
He let out a tense breath. “Again, no. But why call in someone else? There are enough of us here to cover Chloe. Li mentioned Ben was considering taking a leave of absence from work until the chaos dies down. We can ask him if he’s up for it.”
Lynette let out a deep sigh. “While I know Ben would be more than happy to help care for his niece, doing it full-time is a big ask. If we bring someone from outside the immediate family, not only does it free up our team to be available for retaliatory bullshit, but it also gives us the ability to put her in hiding if we have to. Ben won’t leave Lianne.
Also, Liam can’t sabotage what he doesn’t know about. ”
Gage narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Who do you trust outside of us to cover her?”
Lynette smirked. “Have you forgotten who one of my best friends is?”
Lianne leaned forward, eyes wide. “Are you going to call in your favor with Uncle Caesar?”
Lukas shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re still calling him that. He’s a fellow don, Li.”
She rolled her eyes and looked over at her brother. “A don who specifically told me to continue calling him Uncle Caesar unless he and I are conducting official business.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I apologize, Princess Auntie Li.”
Ryan chuckled. “I don’t know if you have clearance to call her that.”
Gage shook his head. “Anyway, back to this favor from Don Rodriguez. Do you know who he might send?”
Lynette shook her head, smirking. “Not yet, but that is the glory of a conversation, though, isn’t it? The exchanging of ideas and information.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She moved her attention from Gage to her daughter. “Do you want me in here when I make the call, or should I step out of the room?”
“You can step outside unless you don’t care that the boys are going to be staring at you incessantly.”
“I’ll make them sweat it out.” Lynette tapped on her phone and then held it to her ear as she walked out the door.
I took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair.
“I have a small favor to ask.” Lianne narrowed her eyes at me, waiting for me to continue.
“Is there any issue with suggesting Adair wears a vest during this whole thing? With her history with Liam, I don’t trust him.
None of us do. I know that.” I knew I was rambling, and even I could hear the nerves in my voice.
“Peter, take a breath. If you can get her to put one on, I don’t have an issue with it.
Honestly, I think we’d all feel better if a lot of us wore them.
And for future reference, that’s not something you need to ask my permission for.
It’s hers. You know where the armory is, and where they are stored.
As long as there isn’t a name on it, feel free to use them. ”
I suddenly felt very silly for even asking. “Right. Sorry.”
She got up, walked around the table, and put her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to turn toward her. “Peter, look at me.” Lifting my gaze to meet hers, I let out a long breath. “You love her, don’t you?”
Swallowing hard as I felt the ball of emotional panic come through, I nodded. “I can’t let her get hurt again. She doesn’t deserve any of this. She’s already been through so much.” My voice broke at the end, but a small smile lifted the corners of Lianne’s mouth.
“I’m okay with you doing whatever is needed to keep Tori safe, as long as she approves.”
I lifted an eyebrow and lifted my chin. “If Liam shoots at her, she won’t get hit.”
The implication was clear, and my Don nodded with understanding. “That won’t be necessary if I have anything to say about it.” Lowering her hands from my shoulders, she nodded toward the door. “I think we’re about done for now. Go check on our girl.”
I noted the approval on Ryan and Lukas’s faces as I stood up to leave. As I walked through the doorway, I ran into Lynette, who, without a word, pulled me into a hug.