Reed laughs. “Apparently, your brother has some pull. Good luck out there.”
Part of me wants to know exactly what my brother told Reed to have him okay with Ozzie and me going to California and putting ourselves in the middle of the Manzia mess. Perhaps Brian didn’t fully fill Reed in on that family’s history.
Hell, I haven’t been fully filled in myself. Going in blind is not how I like to operate. But as I watch Delaney nervously chew on her bottom lip, I know this is something I need to do, save her brother. And if her asshole husband suffers in the process, well, I won’t be upset about that.
CHAPTER16
Delaney
Two firsts this week.My first flight out of state was when I went to New York. And now, my first flight on a private jet. I wish it was under better circumstances where I could enjoy a glass of champagne and not have my stomach in knots. At least we were able to eat on the flight.
As the plane lands, I check the time. Logan assured me we would arrive before Duke, since his flight is not direct.
Before we get off the plane, Logan takes my hand. “From the moment we exit this plane, you need to stay very close to me. Understand?”
I nod.
We follow Ozzie off the plane, and despite this not being their home airport, they navigate it like it is. Logan holds my hand the entire time until we get into a rental car. In my mind, I imagine the worst as we drive to my house. Please, Duke, let us beat you there. Logan glances back at me several times from the passenger seat. Yes, he sat up front for this ride. Between his hand holding warmth and then him distancing himself like now, it’s confusing me. Not that I should be confused. The man is here to protect me because his brother asked him to. And I can’t expect more. I’m married. Even though it isn’t a real marriage, it still is one, and I respect Logan too much to ask him to break any sort of rules. I lean my head back. What the hell am I even thinking? Oh yeah, that I still care more deeply for this man than I have for anyone else in my life. And being near him makes me wish for the things we once had. But that doesn’t mean he feels the same. No, he’s here for a job, and then he’ll go back to New York.
Once we can ensure that Duke is safe, maybe I should consider Nelson’s offer, especially if it would include Duke. I really don’t know what to do.
Fortunately, I don’t have to think about any of that right now because my house is in view. We pull up, and no cars are in front.
“Nelson isn’t here,” I say. “Pull around back over there.” I point, and Ozzie parks the rental car beside the house. It isn’t visible to anyone pulling up.
I get out of the car, but before I take a step, Logan grabs my hand again.
“You are to stay in the car,” he says.
“There’s a panic room inside. I’ll be safer in there.” It’s actually true, although I don’t intend to go in it.
Logan nods, and we walk to the front door. I punch in the code.
Ozzie enters first with a gun drawn. Logan releases my hand and goes next. I follow. Ozzie goes upstairs while I follow Logan as he checks out every room downstairs.
“All clear,” Ozzie says as he walks back down the stairs. But then he stops mid-step. “Someone’s coming. It’s a red Porsche.” From the stairs, he can see the entire driveway from the upper window.
“It’s Nelson. We can hide upstairs,” I say. “Nelson will likely stay in the office down here.”
“Sounds good,” Ozzie says as he runs back up the stairs.
“No. Where’s the panic room?” Logan asks.
“Downstairs. There’s no time,” I say, then run up the steps before Logan can stop me.
I lead them to my mom’s room. When I open the door, I stop, and the guys run into me. The room is bare of anything that was my mom’s. She really did leave. For good, based on the fact that she took everything.
“Sorry.” I step to the side to allow room for them just as the front door opens, then slams shut.
Footsteps walk past the entry and around to my dad’s office. I was right. One thing about Nelson, he’s predictable.
“Duke’s here,” Ozzie says from the window.
“I thought we’d have more lead time,” Logan says.
I run over in time to spot my brother exiting a car with a gun in his hand.
“We have to stop him!” I run to the door, and Logan catches me before I can exit the room.
