30. Chapter Thirty #2
Lynette let out a sigh. “Safety plans are ever evolving. The most current plan is still the best one, so that is what we are using right now. However, we need to decide how to proceed with Nash and Poppy. The silver lining of this situation is that Poppy is already staying and working here. Now, I’d rather not have to lock her down completely, but—”
“She won’t fight it.”
Lianne arched an eyebrow as she shifted her attention to Nash.
“Sorry, ma’am.”
Lynette gave him an understanding look and nodded. “I get it. And I know she won’t fight it, but I hate having to lock people down.”
“All the more reason we need to get to the bottom of whatever Liam and Susan are up to and take care of it.”
As Ryan walked into the room, Nash shifted and pulled out his cell phone, freezing as he looked at the screen. It buzzed again, and the man’s hand tightened on the phone, and I swore it started to shake.
Everyone was looking at him now, but his focus was glued to his phone.
Lianne finally leaned forward. “Nash, talk to me.”
He swallowed hard and then slid his phone toward Ryan, who let out a colorful response before passing the phone on and started frantically typing away on his laptop.
Lukas looked up at me, and I mouthed the words, ‘What is going on?’
He shrugged and then let out a sigh. “Can someone fill me in?”
Lianne glanced up at her brother. “Liam had someone in the diner who took a picture of Nash and Poppy.”
Lukas’s phone went off with a text from Ryan. Attached was a screenshot of what had been on Nash’s screen.
Unknown:
Attached was a photo of Nash and Poppy looking all cozy in the booth at a diner.
Unknown:
Nash ran his hands through his hair, threading his fingers around the back of his neck as he looked up at the ceiling. “What do we do now?”
Lianne and Lynette looked at each other, and with a defeated sigh, Lianne turned to me. “I’m sorry, Nash.”
Lukas let out a deep sigh, making me look up. “Why are they apologizing?”
“He’s got to go back underground at the house.”
“What happens with Poppy now?”
Lukas suddenly sat up and looked at his laptop screen again. “She needs to stay put until we figure this out.”
Lynette nodded. “Agreed. And Gage will be able to keep his head straight if he knows she’s here and protected.”
Ryan typed away on his laptop but stopped for a moment to glance up and give Lianne a very pointed look. She then turned toward Nash. “Take the day. I’ll find someone to work tonight's shift. Also, your phone will need to stay here for the time being.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With a final nod, she jutted her chin toward the door and dismissed him. As the door to the war room closed behind him, Lynette said, “Hummingbird isn’t moving.”
“Who is this Hummingbird, and why haven’t I been filled in sooner?” The question practically exploded out of Lukas.
Lynette looked up at her son, and I felt her ire through the camera. “That’s my business, Lukas Reginald, and before you get all uppity, Don Agosti and your father, the previous Don, were also in the dark about most of this. Lianne only found out a week ago.”
Lukas’s eyebrows shot up. Mine did as well. “I’m sorry, Momma.”
She nodded and then took a deep breath. “As I told your sister, Project Hummingbird is a high stakes security detail. I have been protecting someone for several years now, and Liam and Susan have somehow figured out the general area of the safe house and that this person is under my protection.”
“Our protection, Momma.” Lianne spoke up. “If you are safeguarding this person, then we all are.”
Lukas nodded. “I agree with Li. I’m just confused as to whom this person is that Liam and Susan are trying this hard.”
You and me, both. I was doing everything possible to keep the expression on my face neutral.
“Who else knows about this project?”
Lynette shook her head at Lukas’s question. “Aside from the people in this meeting? I can’t tell you that yet, but I promise I will as soon as I can.”
He bristled, but kept his mouth shut as he nodded. Lukas hated not knowing things.
Lianne sank back into her chair. “So, what's the plan now? We know Nash and Poppy are here for the duration, but what about this Project Hummingbird?”
“Ryan has some digging to do for me, and then I can give you an update.” Lynette cleared her throat. “I think we are done for now, unless there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, Lianne.”
“I'm good.” Lianne looked up at us. “I’ll call later.”
“Looking forward to it.”
The call ended, and after Lukas shut the laptop, he sank his head into his hands. “Holy shit. What the hell is Liam getting at? First Nash, and now this Hummingbird person?” He looked up at me. “Do you have any idea what my mom is talking about?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I wish I had answers for you. I also wish I could help you with the conversation you’re about to have with Quinn.
I hope she won’t be too upset when she finds out the reason for the interruption.
She is probably going to have a million questions, and a few she might even ask. ”
Lukas shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “Of course you figured out she was in here.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dude, there’s only one reason you lock your office door.”
“Fair enough.” There was a pause. “She’s probably going to ask how I liked being interrupted.”
Considering he was known for being the one doing the interrupting, it was a fair question.
Lukas chuckled as he stood. “Well, I’m in for an interesting conversation.”
“Good luck.”
The man was barely out of the room when my phone buzzed.
Momma A:
Shield:
Momma A:
Shield:
Momma A: