Chapter 6 Nikki
NIKKI
As we make our way to the office, my hand drifts down to my still flat stomach. Am I crazy for doing this now with Sir after us? And I know there is something going on the team hasn’t told me. Zach and the main team have been in meetings for over a month now.
We step into the office, and I see my mom.
She knew we had an appointment today. She smiles at me expectantly.
I want to tell her our news, but I hold off because I know Maya wouldn’t want me to hold up the meeting.
When we step into the main conference room, Maya follows behind us and the big doors shut.
I watch as both Bekah and Timothy, the team computer techs, work on their computers.
“We are as secure as I can make us,” Timothy says.
“I’m scanning the room now,” Bekah adds, and I look between them and the group around the table.
Everyone who is a member of the team and currently on the compound is here.
After a moment Bekah signals Maya, and Maya looks down at the table before she stands.
Joshua does the same from his end of the table.
They both lead us, not one or the other but both.
I can see that both are tired, worried about something.
“It’s time we had this conversation with everyone here. About a month ago we found out there is a mole within Securities International. I trust all of you and doubt it’s you. Bekah has scanned you for listening and tracking devices,” she says, and tips her head to Joshua.
“I trust all of you too. I’ve bled with several of you, served with you, and even entrusted my family in your hands.
I don’t doubt your trust, but until further notice, you are to only contact the New York office with one of us present.
You are not to leave the compound without a full two-man team.
No one is going on assignments until further notice. ”
“What about the members out there?” Zach asks, and I know he’s worried about Andy. I slide my hand into his. “What about Piper?” he asks the question I was worried about.
“Duchess?” Joshua asks, and I turn to see Mikayla standing against the far wall. She’s got a car seat with her two-month-old son in it.
“I’m in contact with Piper’s detail. She’s safe.” That’s all she says about my daughter.
“Andy has his mom and went to ground to protect her. He went silent. We won’t hear from him until he’s sure they are safe.
His mother was targeted,” Maya supplies, and I can’t hold in my gasp.
Tori is a nice woman. She helped my mom when she needed a job, and I grew close to her after Zach and Andy were hurt.
“Last we heard, she was safe.” Joshua’s commanding voice breaks through my worry.
“Taliah had a hit squad come after her, and we just found out a close friend of hers was killed. She wasn’t able to supply too much information, and she is now dark.
She has our newest member Quentin protecting her, along with another friend.
Noah is securing members of the New York office, telling them to work from home due to needing to exterminate the office. ”
Maya sets her hands on the table and leans forward. “I want to stress I trust you all, but if you need to tell us anything, do it now before Timothy or Bekah find out.”
Everyone stares back at her, no one saying anything. The phone rings from the center of the table, and we all look at it. Maya breaks the tension by reaching for it and hitting the speakerphone button.
“I’m returning your call.” A deep voice I recognize with a thick Irish accent comes across the line.
“Aidan.” Maya doesn’t give anything away.
“Maya, we are on a first name basis now after our last interchange?”
“Yes. I need your hacker’s help.”
“He is still recovering from his injuries.” A couple months ago Aidan’s organization was attacked.
“But I have some information for you. Hawaii and Australia, he knows about the Hawaii one but not the other yet.” He hangs up, and I look around until Mikayla catches my eye.
She reaches for her son and moves to leave the office.
“Duchess, does that mean anything to you?” Joshua asks her, and her body visibly tightens.
“I can’t confirm or deny that. I need to make a call now.”
Zach reaches for me, pulling me from my chair, and I don’t realize I’m shaking. “Shh, baby. Mik will make her safe. Think of the babies.” His hand brushes my stomach, holding me close.
“Babies? So you had something to say and didn’t.” Maya jokes, trying to break the tension.
“We are pregnant with twins,” Zach says. “But it’s early; Nic doesn’t need this stress.” Everyone smiles, but they don’t congratulate us because of the stress of everything else.
“Good, home for you until further notice. No off-site helping,” Maya says, and Zach lifts me up into his arms to walk out.
“Wait. Mikayla, please,” I beg her. She stops and turns to look at me.
“I’ll call you as soon as I know. Aidan won’t hurt her, but yes.”
“I’m going to Australia. Now,” Luca says and jumps up. “I’ll find her and protect her,” he says as he walks out without waiting for Maya and Joshua to tell him if he can or can’t go.
“Well, I guess that confirms our suspicions,” Joshua says as he looks at Raul.
“She won’t be happy to see him.”
“Don’t warn her he’s on his way. Australia is a big country; he won’t know where to look.” Wes, Mikayla’s husband chuckles.
“I have to warn my contact he’s on his way,” Mikayla says before she reaches into her pocket for a cell phone.
Zach takes me home, where he holds me. We veg out after Dane comes home from being with Renee while we were at the meeting.
I try to relax and trust that whomever Mikayla has on Piper will protect her.
I try not to worry that Sir will figure out where my daughter is hiding or that Luca won’t make it there in time.
I fall asleep with Zach’s arms around me, holding our babies, my fingers laced with his.
I can’t worry about the future. I need to think about today and savor every moment I have with my little family.
After surviving explosions, gunfights, and serial killers, I’ve learned to finally cherish this moment.
That’s what I’m going to do. Take every day as a new day but pray for the team’s and my family’s safety.
Ireally appreciate you reading Precious Kiss.