74. Chapter Seventy-Four
Chapter seventy-four
Adair
Gage walked into the living room after we’d finished lunch the next day. “Lianne, he's on his way with Chloe and two guards. We have less than a half hour.”
Lianne stood and nodded. “Time to polish up and get to our places. It’s show time. Any questions?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Good. I’ll be ready in two minutes.” With that, she stood and headed out of the room, Regina hot on her heels.
Ryan smirked. “Ten bucks says she’s getting her lipstick and jacket.”
Gage shook his head. “That’s not a bet I want to lose.”
I took a page from Lianne’s book and rushed to my room to freshen up, too.
My hands were shaking as I reached for my lipstick, and Peter came up behind me, gently grabbing my hands as he pulled me close and held me.
“You don’t have to be out here if it’s going to be too much. No one would hold it against you.”
I shook my head, never looking away from where our gazes met in the mirror. “I know, but I need to be out here.” Sudden fear made me spin around in his arms and face him. “I need you to be careful.”
He nodded. “I will. I promise. Nothing is going to happen to you or me or anyone else, okay? Not on my watch. I’ll make damn sure of that.”
I had to force myself to take another slow breath. “Please don’t get hurt on my account. I’ve lived through that too many times, and I don’t want my heart to break again.” I blinked back the tears, rapidly forming. “I don’t know if I could survive that kind of loss for a third time.”
Peter leaned in and kissed me. “You’re not losing me. Not today, and not ever if I have anything to say about it.” A smile appeared on his face. “Besides, I happen to know the women in this family aren’t to be underestimated. Liam has a lot more to worry about than he realizes.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I saw your target papers from your outing with Avery. You’re far better with that handgun than you give yourself credit for. You’re also a complete badass. You’re going to be brilliant today, and it’s going to be an honor to watch.”
I grinned and leaned my head against his. “Thank you.”
Confusion filled his eyes. “You’re welcome?”
I leaned into his embrace and let it comfort me. “Thank you for being you. You’ve never pushed, you've always been supportive and encouraging and haven’t wavered, even on my darkest days. I never thought I’d find this much happiness again, but here we are.”
“Here we are.” He kissed the side of my neck, sending a shiver down my back, making my heart race for a whole new reason. “I do have one request for today.”
“Oh?”
“Will you please wear a vest under your sweater?”
I met his gaze. “You already have it in here, don’t you?”
Nodding, he went to the closet and pulled it out. The worry in his eyes had me removing my sweater and holding my hand out.
“You won’t fight me or ask why?”
I shook my head. “You are scared, and I am, too. If this is all I have to do to bring you any amount of peace, then it’s done.” I pulled the vest over my head and started tightening it down when he pulled me to him and kissed me.
“Thank you.”
A knock on the door startled me, but I wasn’t at all surprised to see Lynette standing there when I opened it.
“Hello, my dear.”
“Hi. Come in. Is everything okay?”
Lynette smiled at me. “Everything is going as planned so far, and for that I am grateful. Are you going to utilize either of the gifts I gave you?”
My attention snapped to the top drawer of my dresser.
“I am… I hadn’t gotten there yet.” I walked over and pulled it open, taking out the ring box and gun case.
My hands shook slightly as I removed my old engagement ring from its velvet home and slid it onto my right-hand ring finger.
“I need him to see this at least one more time, but not where he put it.”
“And your gun? I know there are going to be a lot of us, but I don’t want you in there unarmed.” Lynette’s eyes flicked toward Peter. “I know you’re going to be there, too, but you know how important protection is.”
I smirked as I reached into the drawer and pulled out a holster. “Oh, I’ll be locked and loaded. There’s nothing wrong with being over-prepared, especially when dealing with Liam.”
She nodded and then straightened her jacket. “Shall we?”
As we walked out of my room, Gage stood there, waiting.
He gave me an encouraging nod before falling in step with Lynette.
The four of us walked toward the foyer, and I couldn’t help the nerves that exploded in my stomach.
I was about to face the man who almost ended my life.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen, and now it was moments away.
I can do this. He has no power here.
Once Peter and I stood inside the entrance to the living room, I fidgeted with the ring Lynette had returned to me and tried not to fixate on the gun resting on my hip.
It wasn’t that I was packing, it was the significance of the firearm I chose to wield.
The petty and vengeful side of me desperately not only wanted to see his reaction to me being alive and well, but also that I was proudly wearing what had been my engagement ring.
Lynette’s words from earlier echoed in my mind.
Let him see what he gave up.
Nervous energy zipped through the room as we waited. It was only broken up when Jess stuck her tongue out at Ryan, making all of us laugh.
The click of heels grabbed my attention as Lianne and Ben walked back in, and I couldn’t help but smile.
She looked every bit the intimidating mafia Don from her fitted suit to the cool as ice, composed expression on her face, to how Regina, Ben, Lukas, Lynette, and Gage flanked her.
It was truly an awesome sight to behold.
Ryan looked at his phone. “Liam, Chloe, and crew are outside the front gate.”
We all looked at Lianne, who nodded. “We stick with security protocols for potential threats. Check the car and run the IDs. Time to see who he brought with for this little play date.”
Peter stepped in front of me. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“You come back with Chloe.”
He nodded and gave me a quick kiss. “I promise.” Turning and nodding at Regina, they walked out the front door once again, leaving the foyer in silence.
“Looking good, Tori. I Like the accessories.”
I smiled at Lianne’s compliment. “Thanks. I figured if I’m going to shock the hell out of him, I might as well go all in.”
Lukas’s phone rang, and when he pulled it out of his pocket, he sighed and shook his head. “I should have expected this.” He looked up at Lianne. “It’s our brother.”
She clenched her jaw as her focus narrowed in on the phone. “Answer it. Let’s see what he wants.”
Lukas complied and put the call on speakerphone. “Liam, how can I help you?”
“What’s with the full security sweep, Lukas? Chloe and I just want to wish you and Lianne a happy birthday.”
Both of the twins rolled their eyes. “You’re a couple days late. Besides its standard protocol, Liam. You know how this works.”
He scoffed. “For your family, though? I already told you why we were here.”
Lukas let out a tense breath as he rolled his eyes. “We’ll see what the security sweep shows.” He ended the call and looked at Ryan. “Does Dante have the IDs yet? Who else is in that truck?”
“Nolan McGuire, Liam’s newly appointed second in command, and William Brockman.”
It felt like I had been punched in the stomach, and I gasped as I spun around to face Ryan. “That backstabbing piece of shit works for Liam?” Everyone’s attention snapped to me. “Are you sure it’s William Brockman?”
Ryan nodded as he walked toward me, confusion in his eyes. “Yeah. Here’s a copy of his license.” He showed me the screen, and the second my focus landed on the man’s face, my hands started shaking.
“I… No… He can’t be here.” Rage was coursing through me now, and I nearly forgot about Liam. It all makes sense now.
“Adair, what’s the matter?” Lukas’s quiet question barely registered as I stared at the face of another man who had screwed me over and nearly cost me my life.
I swallowed hard and looked up at Ryan. “William’s the reason I needed an emergency extraction from my previous safe house.”
He stared at me, clearly trying to put the pieces together. “What?”
“Didn’t Lynette ever tell you about how I ended up in Colorado?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Lianne walked over and stood in front of me. “Can I get the short version of the story? I’d like to know if I should kill him on sight or not.”
I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath.
“He was my head of security when I lived in Indiana… who sold me out. I barely realized what was happening in time to save myself and had to call your mom for an emergency evac so Derek and I didn’t die in that house.
I would love nothing more than to see that man pay for his crimes. ”
Lianne’s eyes went wide as her eyebrows shot up. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah.”
A calculated and sinister smile appeared on her face. “Would you like the opportunity to deal with him as you see fit?”
I blinked several times. “Me?” My thoughts raced with every horrible thing the man had done to betray me and how many times I’d dreamed about an opportunity like this.
She nodded. “Yes, you. I understand wanting retribution. It’s yours if you want it.” Lianne glanced at her mom and then looked back at me. “My mom isn’t the only one who can give out welcome home gifts.”
Stunned didn’t begin to describe how I was feeling. “I would like that. A lot. Thank you.”
“Of course. Being Don has to have some perks, right?”
I chuckled nervously. “I suppose so. Can I be a surprise to him, too? I don’t want either man seeing me or knowing I’m here right away.”
“Absolutely. You’ll know the right moment to make your entrance.” Lianne let out a frustrated breath. “So, other than knowing my horrible excuse of a family member is aligned with even more backstabbers, what the fuck are two of his minions doing here? Do they also have death wishes?”