75. Chapter Seventy-Five
Chapter seventy-five
Peter
Regina, Connor, Jess, and I walked outside to see Dante standing on the inside of the gate. When we were in position, he turned and tapped in the code to open the gate, revealing a navy-blue SUV.
It rolled in slowly, and I wasn't surprised when Liam wasn’t in the front seat. When it came to a stop, the back passenger side door opened and Liam stepped out, an annoyed expression on his face.
Connor stepped forward. “How can we help you, Liam?”
“Like I told Lukas, Chloe and I are here to wish him and Lianne a happy birthday. She misses her aunt and uncle.”
“Bir-day!”
I barely kept a straight face at the sound of the youngest Agosti cheerfully shouting from inside the SUV. It had been a while since I’d seen Chloe, and aside from the drama with her dad, I was genuinely excited to see her.
Liam turned around and leaned into the vehicle. When he pulled Choe out of the vehicle, holding her in his arms, Nolan and William slowly exited the SUV as well. One was holding a diaper bag, and the other handed a gift bag to Chloe, who took it, shook it, and proudly proclaimed, “Pesents!”
Liam took a step toward the house, and Connor let out a sigh as he blocked his path. “You can’t just walk in, Liam. You know the only reason this conversation is happening is because your daughter is here.”
A scowl appeared on Liam’s face before he kissed Chloe’s head. “I see.” He glanced around all of us who had surrounded him and his men. “I don’t see Ryan or Gage out here, but that doesn’t mean the rest of you won’t pull a weapon on me.”
Cloe started to wiggle more. “Daddy down. Pease. Want Ner!”
After a nod from Connor, Liam slowly and carefully squatted, gently placing his daughter on the ground, and she ran straight up to Connor. “Ner! Uppies. Pease.”
Connor immediately complied. “Chloe! Hi, baby girl! How are you?”
She frowned at him. “I no baby. I big.”
He nodded seriously. “Yes. Yes, you are. I’m so sorry.”
“Is okay!” Chloe reached up and grabbed his ponytail. “Pretty hair.”
He chuckled. “Thanks, Chloe. You have pretty hair, too. Would you like to go inside and see Grandma?”
She nodded enthusiastically and began kicking and bouncing in his arms. “Gamma!”
Regina, who had taken the diaper bag from Nolan and checked it, handed it to me. “Hold on a second.” I nodded and didn’t move as Connor walked toward the house.
As soon as Chloe was out of earshot, happily chatting Connor’s ear off, Regina, Ricky, and Dante patted down all three men before cuffing Liam.
“Handcuffs? Really?”
“I do as my Don commands, and without question. I’m also here to make sure you walk in unarmed.
” Liam winced, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was because of what Regina said or if she had tightened the handcuffs a little extra before pulling the gun from a holster on Liam’s waist. She handed it to Ricky, who made sure the safety was on before carefully laying it on the back seat.
She pulled her gun and rested her free hand on his shoulder, looking him square in the eyes.
“Now, we’re going to walk into the house nice and calm, without any funny business.
Understood? I even get a hint of a bad decision from any of you, I will pull this trigger.
Now, while I promised Lianne I wouldn’t kill you, I can and will make sure it hurts if you push me. ”
Liam nodded tensely. “Understood.”
After disarming Liam’s associates, Dante imitated Regina's stance with William, and Jess covered Nolan.
Regina nodded. “Good. Let’s make sure everyone stays on their best behavior when meeting with Don Agosti. I’d rather not keep her waiting any longer than necessary. Peter, let them know we’re on our way.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I rushed back inside. Everyone’s eyes were on me as I walked through the front door. “Liam is pissed about the handcuffs, and Regina is being quite motherly about everyone behaving.”
Ryan looked over at Lianne. “Show time.” He then looked at me. “I’m sure Regina checked the diaper bag already, but I need to inspect it, too.”
“Have at it.” I handed it over and then turned toward the living room, where Adair and Lukas stood. Once I was at her side, Lukas gave her hand a quick squeeze and walked back to Lianne.
Ryan headed toward the kitchen, where I spotted Lynette and Chloe laughing about something. Seconds later, their voices echoed in the staircase as they made their way upstairs. During this, Gage stationed himself near the kitchen door, gun out and at the ready.
Ben and Lukas flanked Lianne, who stood in between the entrances of the kitchen and living room. Connor was in the entryway to the dining room, and Avery was blocking the hallway. Everyone had their guns out except for Lianne and Ben.
A few moments later, the door opened, Regina and Liam entering first.
We all waited in tense silence as Lianne stood there, taking in her oldest brother. I was impressed Liam was able to keep his mouth shut, but then having six guns trained on me would also make me hesitant to speak.
She finally broke the silence. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
He took a deep breath and looked up. “Can’t a brother wish his siblings a happy birthday?”
Nolan scoffed before Lianne could reply. “Why aren’t we being invited into the lounge?”
Lianne gave him an even glare. “I admitted you into my home, but that doesn’t mean you’re welcome.” She returned her attention to her brother. “Start talking. We all know this visit has nothing to do with our birthdays.”
Liam stared at her for a moment before smirking. “How’s Victoria doing these days?”