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He looked around and asked, “Was he inside?”
“No. He snuck up behind me when I was disarming the alarm.” A thought occurred to me. “Do you think he got my code?”
Jasper frowned, and Terry stepped forward and put a hand on my shoulder. “Change the code. Now.”
I nodded and did what Terry said, listening to the men talk as if I wasn’t in the room.
“Brendan Rhymer,” Terry said.
“Has to be,” Jasper confirmed. “It’s time we stop fucking around where this asshole is concerned. I know what Ma said, but I’m done with this shit.”
Terry said, “I’ll handle Brendan. It’s been a long time since I’ve kicked some ass.” The delight in his voice was slightly terrifying and also a little hilarious.
“Well you handled the fucker who shot Kat with ease, didn’t you?”
“That was different,” he growled. “It wasn’t about enjoyment.”
“So you’re saying you didn’t enjoy it?” Provo had come in with the guys, but he’d mostly stayed quiet and I understood why. This was probably too much of a reminder of all the times he was here because of Lance.
“I didn’t say that, asshole.” Terry flashed a smile at Provo. “I just said it wasn’t about enjoying it. But whatever I do to Brendan, my plan will be to enjoy inflicting maximum pain on that motherfucker.”
He flashed a wicked yet joyful smile, and I shook my head. These were fully grown men and even talking about violence, they sounded like boys.
“We need to get her outta here,” Jasper said, bringing that conversation to an end. His serious, slightly angry gaze met Provo’s. “Take her to Sadie.”
I finished changing the security code and shook my head. “That’s not necessary. Odds are he won’t come back. Right? Or is he going to cut out my tongue like he did Fiona’s?”
Looking to these tough guys for assurance was a fool’s errand, but my heart raced and thudded at the idea of crashing Ashby Sunday dinner.
“Emmett,” Terry said.
“Yeah, Emmett. Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell me I was in danger? You guys are supposed to be bad ass gangsters and you couldn’t even keep Fiona safe. Nor my husband!” I shouted, the tears starting to fall.
“Whether he comes back or not, you won’t be here.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I sobbed.
Jasper came closer and rubbed the back of his neck. “Vanessa, pack a fucking bag. You are going to the Manor. Now.”
Jasper’s words were final and I knew there was no point making another argument.
I gave a sharp nod and made my way to the bedroom to pack enough clothes for a week. I packed jeans and t-shirts for the day and a few dresses for work. A slinky red nightgown drew my attention to another fact. Emmett would be at Sunday dinner, and I wasn’t ready to see or talk to him. Not yet.
Provo demanded my keys and slid behind the wheel of my car. “What’s the big deal about staying with the Ashby’s. I thought you were cool with them?”
“I am, it’s just that I’d prefer to stay in my own space.”
I didn’t want to get into the real story about Emmett, especially with a man who had so much baggage and a clear dislike for me. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
“If you say so.” Provo shrugged his big shoulders, and we made the rest of the trip in silence. “It won’t be so bad Nessa. Enjoy the food and the whole sisterly thing of being in a house full of women, yeah?”
I shrugged and nodded, telling him the only thing he wanted to hear which was that I would be okay. “Sure, Provo. Thanks.”
“Welcome, Mrs. Decker.” The always impeccably dressed Thomas smiled at me from the front door. My stomach clenched. I wasn’t even safe in my own home. Somehow now it all seemed too real.
“Thank you, Thomas. Where should I put my bags?” I held up two matching leather duffel bags with a sheepish smile.
“I’ll take care of that. The women won’t be put off much longer.” He took a step back and nodded for me to follow the noise toward the dining room.
“Sure. Right. Thank you.” I braced myself for seeing Emmett again as I walked down the well-lit hall, sucking in a deep breath before stepping through the doorway. He’s not here. Not yet anyway, and I let out a sigh of relief.
“Got room for one more?” I said, my voice quaking.
The talking stopped and several sets of eyes turned to me with varying degrees of worry.
“It’s about damn time!” Kat was on her feet first, wrapping an arm around me as she guided me to an empty spot beside her at the table. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Jasper sent me here as a precaution so I wouldn’t get my tongue cut out of my mouth.”
For a moment, you could have heard a pin drop. Then, without breaking stride, Sadie handed me a glass of what I guessed was Irish whiskey.
