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“Yes, please. Can you make sure to invite Orla fromYoumagazine? I think that’s who she’s with,” I mutter, unsure now that I’ve said it.
“Yes, I’ll double check the media outlet she’s with, and be sure to invite her,”Uncle Jordan confirms.
“Thank you. Okay, next thing,” I continue, as the tea kettle begins to scream, making me jump.
“Sorry, lass,” Roark apologizes, taking the pot off the heat. “You’re shivering still and I need to warm you up.”
Turner pulls his hoodie off, putting it on me before kissing my forehead. “Let us take care of you while you scheme and plot, Lavender,” he tells me and I nod.
Uncle Jordan watches with a faint smile on his lips. “I’m glad you’re so well taken care of, Lenny. What’s the next thing on your list?”
Greg comes around, leaning over my shoulder to join the conversation. “A panic room and more security on the property. I want you and the band to stay at this house so you’re all together,” he stares and I blink.
“A panic room?!” I exclaim and Greg grunts.
“Aye, that’s not a bad idea,” Roark rumbles, putting a cup of hot tea and another scone in front of me.
I didn’t get to enjoy my first one, so I take a bite, knowing it’s a good idea but annoyed that this is my life.
“Lenny, yes. I’ll go in on it with you as a housewarming gift,”Uncle Jordan agrees and I shake my head as I chew.
“Lennon, Link will do the work with my security company, and it’ll be way less than you think it will be,” Greg coaxes. “I’ll even convert the office to a library for you. I don’t want the panic room in the basement, because I want you to be able to easily get to it. We’ll be able to sacrifice some room in your new library, and you’ll never miss it, I swear.”
Taking a sip on my tea, I nod. The rest of the night is spent planning, and I’m extra grateful for the long nap we had.
32
DEREK
Lennon is taking this all disturbingly well. I keep waiting for her to break, but she is calmly planning the concert with Jordan without any problems. The only tell I can see is that her hands are ice cold, and her body keeps shivering.
Fed up with sitting, I hunt down a blanket, coming back and wrapping her in it. “Keep being the beautiful badass you are, but please get warm,” I murmur in her ear.
Roark made a warm soup with crusty bread for dinner, and I know that’ll help her too. Moving the computer up so she can tuck into her soup and still chat, I take a seat as well.
Layla, Atlas, and Mav come to find Jordan after their set, their footsteps faster when they see he's on the phone. There are few reasons he’d completely disappear during a show.
“Is Lennon okay?” Layla gasps, moving around the couch to see who he’s talking to.
“I’m good,” Len promises with a nod as she drinks another cup of tea. “We had an issue with some second rate mercenaries who are now dead. Uncle Jordan and I are discussing the logistics of the show that’ll launch the newDarkest Nightsconcept.”
She looks perfectly nonchalant as she takes another sip of tea, and I realize that this is her tell. Lennon is too calm, because in a sea of chaos, she has to be.
“Lass, slow down, back it up, and start from the beginning,” Mav grumbles. The three of them lean in next to each other behind the couch so they can talk to Lennon.
“Xav knows where I live, and he’s going to continue to keep coming for me. If I don’t set myself up as bait, one day I just won’t wake up,” Lennon explains. “I refuse to accept that. So we’re planning this, you’re getting on board, and moving in. I’m taunting the bull, so he can’t help himself.”
Atlas watches Lennon, chewing his lip. “Alright,” he drawls. Her voice had hitched just a little, and it’s enough to see that she needs this to stay in control. “Walk us through this, darlin’, and we’ll get dropped off tonight at the house. It’s been too long since we’ve all been underfoot.”
She nods, rolling her lips in. Turner is the closest to her, standing to give her a hug from behind. “We’re all behind you, baby. No one’s fighting you on this okay? We want you and the baby to stay safe,” he says softly, kissing her hair.
Lennon nods quickly, and I sigh. Reaching out, I squeeze her hand, Orion rubs her leg, and Roark hugs her as well.
“Okay, I’m fine. I just really want to know if there's a chance we can pull this off. Greg, Uncle Jordan? What do you think?” she sniffles.
We all step back to give her a moment, and Greg hands her a tissue.
“You’re doing really great,” Greg tells her. “I’ll call Bear now. My team texted me to say they already picked up the bodies from the shed, so we’re set there. If Bear offered, he meant it, okay? What date do we want to push this for?”
