25. Thad
Thad
Emerson’s body stiffened and her hand, still in mine, gave an involuntary twitch.
“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly.
“Nothing.”
Bullshit. There was something wrong. I didn’t think it was the ribbing the guys and Tatiana gave when we’d come downstairs together, because that was nothing compared to the shit we’d given Brooks when he was chasing after Tatiana.
In fact, it was so light, I knew they were holding back and waiting until they could give it to me in private.
“Give us a minute, yeah?”
“No.” Emerson dug in, preventing me from dragging her back upstairs for some privacy. “We have stuff to do.”
“Em—”
“Thaddeus. Nothing’s wrong except the fact that we need to figure out where Paul is.”
That was a lie. Paul was absolutely an issue, but that wasn’t what had made her flinch.
I’d give her the play, not wanting to embarrass her by drawing attention to the fact that something had upset her.
Maybe it was what the guys had said. I’d have to explain that their banter wasn’t in an effort to make fun of her, but it was a welcome to the family.
“Has Tex been able to get us a lead on Leon, I mean, Harry Landry?” Tatiana asked.
“He thinks he’s back in the U.S. Facial rec put him at LAX. But nothing after that,” Declan told her.
“So he wants us to know where he is,” Tatiana surmised.
“Or he doesn’t know we’ve figured out who he is,” Dec returned.
Everyone fell silent for a moment, then Max spoke, “He knows we have Emerson, so he’ll also know we’ve figured it out.
Either we got really lucky taking out Garcia the night he was meeting with Landry, a man who knew Emerson well, therefore protecting her cover when Thad took her.
Or, that meeting was by design because he knew what Emerson had been doing, and knew she was with Garcia. ”
“You think Landry wants Emerson?” Tatiana asked before I could.
“Of course he does. I’d bet Landry made Emerson within a few days, and that’s why he got shot of her.
Out of all the men Emerson targeted, Landry was the most powerful and obviously the most cautious.
It wouldn’t surprise me if that meeting was set to take Emerson out and really I wouldn’t be shocked if Landry was funding the bounty on her now, just using Paul as the front man.
It’d be a smart play, Landry knows Emerson can identify him and he needs her eliminated,” Max finished.
“Jesus, you think you coulda cushioned that blow a little,” I bit.
“I coulda, but that woulda meant sugarcoating it. You ever know me to do that shit? Especially with something as important as your woman’s safety.
Paul needs to be taken out ASAP. And Landry next, for a variety of reasons.
He jacked Tatiana and almost had her killed.
He’s up to his eyeballs in Omni business.
And he’s an all-around asshole who is responsible for the selling and trading of countless women.
Now we can add Emerson to the list of reasons why Harry Landry cannot be left breathing. ”
Once Max was done laying it out, Emerson had scooted closer to me and she was squeezing my hand with more strength than I thought she was capable of.
Son of a bitch.
“Max’s right. Sucks to say, and I’m sorry you’re scared, Emerson, but the truth is, you got yourself tied up with a bunch of fuckwits who don’t bat an eyelash at killing innocent women.
Though to Landry you’re not innocent. And as much as I really hate to say it, that is a stink you don’t wash off by walking away.
It needs to be scrubbed clean and the only way to do that is to eliminate all involved,” Declan not-so-helpfully added.
Now Emmy was damn near panting in fear. “You should… all of you… you should walk away from me before the stink rubs off on all of you.”
“Not a chance,” I growled.
“That is not how this works,” Max told her.
“But I think—”
Declan’s phone rang, cutting off her protest. “Zane, you’re on speaker,” Declan greeted.
“Just got a call from Tex, then from the POTUS. Tex confirmed Harry Landry is in the U.S. He was sighted in Los Angeles. Anderson gave the stand-down order. For the moment, Landry is untouchable.”
“What the fuck?” I snapped. “Why would President Anderson protect Landry?”
“I asked. Tom’s answer was that I should trust him.
If Tom Anderson asks you to trust him, you trust him.
What you don’t do is question his intelligence.
And I said ‘for the moment,’ not indefinitely.
Which means you’ll get your shot at him, just not right this second.
Which works for us, because you got shit to sort down there.
Garrett’s latest SITREP has narrowed properties, but he amended his report after Emerson’s information.
He punted the intel to me, and I agree with Emerson—Manicore is the best shot at taking out Paul.
” Zane stopped for a moment than added. “That and he’s been spotted in the area. Is Emerson ready for transport?”
“Change of plans,” I told Zane.
“Of course there has been. Pray tell what that change is.”
“She’s staying with us until we eliminate the threat.”
“Declan?” Zane called.
“Right here.”
“Funny, I haven’t had those boxes of donuts or the bottle of Knob Creek delivered that you keep promisin’. You okay with this shit, or has a member of your team run away with his dick and forgot to inform his team leader?”
“His dick seems firmly attached to his body, which is to say he’s thinking with it and his goddamn brain has taken a hike,” Declan answered.
“Fuck you. And you know I’m right. We can protect Emerson. She’s safer with us than locked in a safe house somewhere.”
“Because she’ll take off and—”
“No. Because no man will protect her like I will,” I semi-lied.
The truthful part of that statement was that I knew no one cared about her well-being like I did, so no one could protect her the way I would.
However, there was some veracity to me being afraid she’d take off.
Especially now that Max had told her his thoughts on Landry, and Declan had explained the only way to free her of the shitstorm she’d created was to take out the players.
So even though I’d known before she’d had her doubts about us, she was gearing up to protect me again, and the way she did that was by disappearing. That shit wasn’t happening again.
“It’s a good thing I haven’t signed off on the final plans for the daycare center I’m being forced to build.
The architect already gave me a side-eye when I told him I wanted polycarbonate windows.
Can you believe the bastard tried to get me to agree on some bullshit film coating that would barely stop a .
22 round? Fuck that noise. My kid’s gonna be in that daycare with my nephews.
Ivy was pissed when I added soundproofing.
She didn’t buy my bullshit about not wanting office noise to wake the little rug rats.
So now, I got a pissed-off pregnant wife that looks like she’s carrying a Lewis, either that or there are three normal-sized kids in there.
At any rate, now I’m gonna have to add more square footage for you reproducing idiots. ”
Emerson looked appalled by Zane’s commentary. Declan’s lips were twitching. Kyle and Max were both smiling. And Tatiana and Brooks both looked like they were holding back laughter.
“Hope to God you’ve never told Ivy she looks like she’s carrying three kids,” Brooks joked. “She didn’t look real comfortable when we last saw her.”
“Apparently growing a human isn’t comfortable. Who knew? I mean, that chick on that TV show popped out like twenty-two. It can’t be that bad, or her and her husband wouldn’t be trying to outbreed the stupid people of the world.”
“Man, your wife is gonna kick your ass.” Tatiana laughed. “And for the sisterhood, I’m gonna help her. ”
“You straight, Thad?” Zane asked, all traces of humor gone.
“Five by five, boss.”
“Right. Emerson stays with you; she seems to have valuable input anyway. And, Emerson?”
“Yeah?”
“I know you think I’m a dick and you’re right, I am a dick—a big one.
Just ask my wife, she’ll confirm. But I’m a dick who keeps his word and I never make a deal I don’t intend to honor.
I promised you a work-up on your sister.
My man Garrett is still running some information.
The team had been briefed about some highlights they needed to know.
But I wanted you to know that when Garrett’s done, you’ll have the file.
That is for the deal we made. However, since that time, your sister has saved one of my men’s lives.
That is a debt I take seriously. And for that, Autumn has my gratitude.
And for that , we’ll find her. And when we do, I’ll extend her my help.
Can’t make you any promises she’ll take it, but it will be offered.
And that will be payback for Declan’s life. ”
Typical Zane. He liked everyone to think he was a world-class asshole. Sarcastic—yes. Demanding—yes. But under all the bullshit he was the most giving and understanding man I knew. He carried the weight of war and scars of battle, and his guilt over things that were beyond his control was palpable.
Zane took care of his men, his family, and his wife had been placed on a pedestal so high no one could touch her. I was not surprised he’d offer to help Autumn.
Though that was a double-edged sword. He’d offer help and Autumn would deny that hand and Emerson would be crushed.
“I appreciate the offer. Even if I still think you’re pretty much an ass. You had no problem blackmailing me.”
“You call it blackmailing, I call it using everything in my arsenal. You left yourself vulnerable and I exploited it. Can’t blame a man for out-playing you.”
I was getting ready to tell Zane to lay off Emerson when she spoke again. “I didn’t know we were playing a game, Zane. And using my sister was screwed up.”
“Of course you knew you were playing. Eight years ago you entered my world, a world that is all about lies, deceit, and out-maneuvering your opponent. A game you’d been successful at.
It’s ugly, it’s distasteful, but it is what it is and you know I’m right.
So suck it up, buttercup. I used what I had to, to get the information I needed.
Which incidentally worked out well for you, considering you’re standing there with Thad and the two of you are no longer actively hating each other.
I’ll expect an invite to the wedding. Whether you decide to forgive me for being a better asshole than you are, is up to you.
But there’s more at play than your love life, you, or your sister. ”
Emerson was looking at her feet and I wasn’t sure if she was gonna take another swipe at Zane or if she’d had enough, when Zane called out again, “And, Emerson, I’m damn impressed you stepped up for your sister in the first place. Says a lot about the type of person you are.”
“I’m not who my file says I am,” she whispered.
“I know you’re not,” Zane returned. “None of us are. On paper I’m a cold-blooded, narcissistic murderer. But I can assure you my bullet has never met an innocent man or woman. I know who you are, and you’re the type of woman I’d be happy to know better.”
“Any word from the local authorities about the women we left behind?” Tatiana thankfully changed the subject.
“Five were rescued,” Zane confirmed.
That was good news, but what was better was the smile on Emerson’s pretty face.
“Thank God,” she breathed. “I was worried about them. ”
“You’re on standby. You’ll be on your way to Manicore tomorrow morning unless something changes, so be ready.”
“Copy that,” Dec answered.
“Out.”
The line went dead and I wondered if now was a good time to take Emerson back up to my room. It seemed we had a lot more shit to sort through than we did before we’d walked down the stairs.
“Who wants some lunch?” Brooks asked, and my stomach grumbled.
“Whose turn is it?” Dec asked.
“Kyle’s.” Brooks smiled.
“Hell no. I’ve been on KP duty three times in a row,” he protested.
“That’s because Thad can’t cook a fucking thing, so he’s always skipped,” Max complained.
“You still can’t cook?” Emerson looked up at me.
“Nope.”
“Why not? I mean, how do you eat?”
“The why is simple, because if I learn, I get put on KP rotation, something I hate. The how is even simpler, they all feed me.” I gestured around the room.
“Asshole,” Kyle muttered and headed for the kitchen.
“See?”
“I heard that, you prick. I’m cookin’ for everyone but you. If you wanna eat, cook it yourself.”
“ Agápi mou ?”
“No way.” She smiled. “I’m not getting in the middle of this. I’m starving and I’d like to eat whatever Kyle’s cooking.”
I leaned down and brushed my mouth against hers, for no other reason than I could. Then I moved to her ear and whispered, “Babe, Kyle’s full of shit, he’d never let me go hungry.”
“Heard that, too, asshole, and you’re wrong!” Kyle yelled from the kitchen .
“How’d he hear that?”
“He didn’t. He just knows me well enough to know I was talking shit.”
The smile faded and I’d had enough. I tugged her hand and headed toward the stairs.
It was time we got to the bottom of what was bothering her.