She’s good with him, better than I am at times, and I catch myself feeling grateful, even though my own wounds like toconstantly remind me that her betrayal isn’t so easily forgotten, no matter how badly I wish it was.
While they’re both occupied, I quickly open up my contacts on my phone and give Brennan a call.
While I know he would have been in touch if anything was out of the ordinary, I want to check in just in case.
“Hey!” Brennan answers, sounding his usual cheerful self. “How’s the family vacation going?”
“Scout hasn’t run out of energy yet.”
Brennan laughs. “You’ve still got time.”
“How’s everything?”
“I already told you, I’ve got nothing to report.”
I glance at Scout, watching as he dive-bombs into the pool, and Fiona shrieks as she’s sprayed with water. “I know. I just wanted to check.”
“Check what? That I wasn’t bullshitting you?”
“Pretty much.”
Brennan scoffs. “Don’t be a dumb fuck.”
I huff a laugh.
“If shit was hitting the fan, you would know about it. Trust me when I say there’ve been no signs of Lorcan around the estate orSullivan Investments. Our men are still keeping an eye out, but so far, it’s quiet.”
I exhale slowly, trying not to let the tension seep back into my shoulders. “It could be a test. Or maybe Lorcan’s made his move already, and he’s planning on us not noticing until it’s too late.”
“Or maybe he’s just messing with you. Fiona’s been handling it, right, like she said she would?”
I glance over at Fiona.
She’s crouched at the edge of the pool, her hair damp and clinging to her face as she encourages Scout to dive into the water.
Scout is laughing like a little maniac, completely oblivious to the reality of what faces us when we leave.
I can’t help the way my chest tightens, both with pride at how well Fiona is keeping it together for Scout, and the lingering fear that she could still betray me.
“Yeah. She’s been handling it.”
“Then it won’t be long until we smoke him out.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Try to enjoy your vacation, because it’s probably the last one you’re ever going to get.”
I look over at the sliding glass doors leading out to the terrace and the lake beyond, my mind half on Lorcan, half on Scout and Fiona.
My brothers assured me that every blind spot was being watched, but I still can’t shake the instinct to scan for threats, to imagine what could happen if the wrong person slipped past our perimeter.
“Keep me updated if anything changes?”
“Sure thing,” Brennan says before hanging up.
“Dad, come and play!” Scout calls from the other side of the pool.
I set my phone down and get to my feet.
