Chapter 86
eighty-six
JO
I’m shamelessly watching the scene unfold from inside the house.
Gavin and Adira overheard everything and went outside to intercept Belle and Cal’s mom.
I wish I had my phone out to watch the shock on that woman’s face when she saw Gavin.
Belle would have loved it. I kind of want to open the window so I can hear what they’re saying.
Honestly, the only reason I don’t is because Kai is pacing the room behind me like a caged beast. Willa is sitting so still on the couch that you could easily mistake her for a statue.
Declan is sitting next to her, but not touching like he’s scared any contact will set her off. Which it might.
Finally, Gavin and Adira turn to come inside and . . . Paula? Patty? . . . marches back across the street to her house. I never bothered to learn her name because a mother who doesn’t value her child and disregards their safety can get fucked and isn’t worth my time or energy.
“What did she want?” Kai growls the moment his parents are back inside.
Gavin frowns at him, but Adira smiles knowingly. “She saw you all pile out of the car when you got here and was demanding to know why her daughter hadn’t come to see her,” she answers.
Kai’s face turns so red it might be purple, and I think steam might actually come out of his ears. We really don’t have time for him to lose it. Gavin should be getting a call with the go-ahead soon.
“Can you have a meltdown later?” Kai glares at me, but I don’t give him a chance to speak.
“Maverick doesn’t have time for you to lose your mind right now, Kai.
” I watch as he visibly deflates and his shoulders hunch, defeated.
I know he’s just as tired as the rest of us.
Maybe more so because his group was constantly moving instead of staying in one place like Ezra and I were able to do.
“I’m fine,” Belle says, and I watch Kai spin and practically jog to her. She doesn’t even make it all the way down the stairs before she’s in his arms. “Once we have Maverick back, you and Willa have my permission to go over there and give her a piece of your minds.”
I watch Willa perk up on the couch and look almost excited. Declan laughs, then leans in to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Princess,” Declan says, and his voice is thick. I’m pretty sure Willa acting murderous turns him on. Good for her.
“Good show?” Ezra whispers in my ear as he puts his arm around my waist.
“Shut up,” I mutter, only playfully annoyed that he knows I was being nosy.
Jasper picks that moment to walk in from the kitchen holding a purple freeze pop. He stops when he realizes everyone is staring at him. “What? What did I miss?”
“Alright, it’s time,” Gavin says, before anyone can explain.
“Willa, Declan, and Belle, you will be in my office. I have the detonation times written down with a clock that’s paired exactly to my watch.
” All three nod, already knowing all of this from when we planned it.
“Jasper, you’ll be here in the living room so that there are no distractions. ”
“Got it,” Jasper agrees, around a mouth full of grape-flavored ice.
“I didn’t have time to get any earpieces so we’re going to have to rely on our phones to communicate. It’s not ideal, but communication should be at a minimum,” Gavin continues. “Adira and I will be upstairs on the balcony to handle the drones. Questions?”
Yeah, I’d like to know how he got dynamite so fast, but earpieces were a problem, but I stay silent.
“Great. Jo, Ezra,” Gavin says, taking the time to look both of us in the eye.
“You wait until we have eyes on Patrick before moving in. Kai will be there with the truck to get Maverick out. We stick to the plan to keep injuries to a minimum.” Ezra and I both agree, but he squeezes my hip with a featherlight touch. I know what it means.
We’re going in to get him if that’s what we have to do.
“Jo,” Willa says, grabbing my hand to stop me before I can leave. “You deserve happiness, too.”
I frown at the seemingly random comment. “What?”
“You’re constantly pushing your needs and wants aside to make sure the people around you are happy and taken care of. It’s your turn. Go get your men and be happy.” With that, she kisses my cheek and makes her way to Gavin’s office.
She’s right. I know she is, even though I hate to admit it. Maybe it’s time I take my happiness instead of stepping to the side. The first step in doing that is to get Maverick back.