“Change your mind,” he mutters.
I don’t look at him. Instead, I keep my eyes fixed on the open front door where Scout is adding more and more toys to his pile of luggage.
“That’s what Lorcan wants.”
“So, don’t give it to him.”
“That’s what he might be counting on. We don’t know which play this is.”
Kieran exhales through his nose. “I don’t like him moving the pieces.”
“Neither do I.”
“Scout, Nico has to stay here!” I hear Ciara call from inside the house.
Just then, Scout appears once more, carrying a startled-looking Nico in his arms.
“Butwhy?” Scout turns around and heads back inside, passing Brennan on the way, who reaches down to ruffle his hair.
“Scout’s bouncing off the walls,” he says. “Kid thinks you’re taking him to Disneyland.”
I’m barely listening, too lost in my thoughts to be present for more than a few moments at a time.
I look at Ronan again, and I can tell his mind is already ten steps ahead of the rest of us, trying to assess the risk and outcome of each move Lorcan could make.
“Say it,” I tell him.
“Lorcan’s not stupid. If he’s sending you out of the city, it’s because something’s about to shift here.”
“Adrian?” Brennan asks a little too casually.
“Maybe,” Ronan mutters. “I guess only time will tell.”
“That’s the part I don’t like. I don’t like the idea of fucking off and leaving you to deal with the aftermath.”
Kieran scoffs. “We’ve got the numbers to deal with whatever Lorcan throws at us.”
“Still…”
Just then, Scout comes barreling down the front steps, his backpack bouncing against his back and a huge grin on his face.
“Let’s go!” he yells, completely consumed by his excitement.
I should be pleased to see him acting so normally, but I’m not.
This trip will be the first time he’s left Kieran’s estate since the night Adrian’s men took him, and who’s to say something like that won’t happen again?
“You’ve got two cars behind you and one ahead. Kieran’s got men at the resort already, so you’re covered,” Brennan says, as if he can read my thoughts.
I nod, but the tension doesn’t leave my shoulders. I look at the house and watch as Fiona gives Ciara and Riley a hug goodbye.
“Call me if Lorcan so much as breathes,” I mutter under my breath.
“You’ll be the first to know,” Ronan promises, pushing off the car and slapping a hand on my shoulder. “But try to have some fun in the meantime.”
Kieran rolls his eyes. “Cormac doesn’t know the meaning of fun.”
I look between the three of them, my brothers, my backup, my line of defense if this turns into the wrong kind of trip.
