“I thought it took a while to get to this stage in a relationship?” I feign being shocked and clutch my hand to my chest.
She rolls her eyes and tuts. “Oh shut up. You knew what you were getting into. Now, go!” She flaps her hands to shoo me away.
Making my way downstairs, I see everyone is already awake and milling about, making breakfast. I step into the kitchen, and my cheeks heat when Hayleigh throws me a wink.
“Follow me outside?” Cas asks me as he walks past towards the back door, and I grab a slice of toast on my way.
“Did you speak to him?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.
“Yeah, he’s coming over for breakfast to show us what he has. Do you want Lacey in on this or not?”
I start to shake my head, then realise if I do this and keep this away from her, she will have my head on a platter. “I don’t want her involved in this, but I can’t make that decision for her.”
Cas nods to himself. “I get it. You have to let them in; you can’t shield them from everything. It doesn’t work out.” Cas looks at where Emmy stands in the kitchen.
Cas’s phone beeps, and he checks it. “He’s here.”
We enter the house just as Vik walks through the door. Scruff bounds over to him excitedly, and he bends down to tickle him behind the ears.
“Hi Vik!” Emmy calls from the kitchen.
“Hey…” He trails off when he sees everyone in the room. “Am I missing a special occasion here?” He then notices Daisy, and that easy-going smile appears on his face as he sets his sights on her. “And who do we have…” Before he can even move forward, Ethan steps in front of Daisy.
“That’s Daisy, she’s a friend. Daisy, that’s Vik, also a friend. There, introductions done.” Ethan narrows his eyes at Vik, who puts his hands up laughing.
Lacey’s voice floats down the stairs. “Way to be subtle there, Ethan. Hey Vik, haven’t seen you in ages. How are you?”
He turns to look at Lacey, and his eyes bug out of his head. We haven’t seen him since the wedding. “Holy shit, you’re huge!”
“Hey! Watch it!” I can’t help myself; the words slip out before I can stop them.
He turns back around to me and smiles. “About time. Okay, well enough introductions. I’m starved and haven’t eaten, so let’s have breakfast, then I can show you what I’ve found.”
We all head into the kitchen and grab our plates to load up on breakfast, which has been laid out buffet-style. Lacey loads up on bacon and eggs, hash browns, and toast, then she sits down at one of the stools next to the island and tucks into her breakfast, which my brothers are eyeing, clearly impressed.
I clear my throat, and everyone stops what they’re doing. “I asked Cas to see what he could find out about Ted.”
Lacey stops eating when she realises the room has gone quiet. She looks to Vik, knowing that’s the reason he’s here. “What did you find out?”
Vik has always been straight to the point and no nonsense, but right now, he looks worried, and that worries me. He nodsonce. “What I found isn’t good. Are you sure you want to hear this?” Lacey nods. “Okay. Ted comes from the worst kind of family; they’re into all sorts, with the majority of them already in trouble or prison. He’s got an arrest sheet the size of my arm – petty theft, arson, suspected armed robbery, GBH, rape of an underage girl…”
“I’m going to be sick…” Lacey peels off the stool, and I’m about to go after her when Emmy, Hayleigh and Daisy run after her, and Cas puts his arm on mine.
“They’ve got her. You need to hear this, Cole.”
Torn, I turn my attention back to Vik. “Go on.”
“Nothing sticks. He’s done a few stints since, but nothing concrete. It turns out it’s because he has friends in very dodgy places. He’s a drug runner for…let’s say he’s gotten in with some dangerous people, and he lost them a lot of money. That's what he wants from you to stop his kneecaps going missing.” Vik lets his words sink in.
“So, he’s using Lacey and our baby, because he thinks he can get money out of me for this guy he owes money to?” My voice doesn’t sound like my own.
“Logic isn’t his strong suit, Cole.”
I shake my head. “Then I have no choice. I won’t let them come into harm’s way because of this! I’ll pay him. I’ll sell whatever it is I need to sell to…”
Vik puts his hand on my shoulder. “Stop. You aren’t going to pay this cretin one penny. He’s the type to come back for more, Cole. Instead, I know of the guy he’s dealing with; let’s leave it at that. I need more time to gather more information. In the meantime, don’t give him anything and do not contact him. Okay?”
I nod in agreement.
