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"I'm sorry you were inconvenienced," Porter mutters.
The tea arrives, and for Porter's sake, I will play happy families. This is the only contact with his father I will ever allow. After today, Carter Turnbridge will be nothing but a memory, and I owe it to Porter to make it a good one.
"If you allow us to leave, we can assist with finding Tiffany," I offer, helping myself to another biscuit. "You don't want us hanging around here and I assure you, we will devote many men to the matter of finding her. We don't have to be as discreet as you do."
"Very well. I agree." Carter throws his phone at me. "Tell your young friend you're all going."
As I'm about to call the last number on the call list, Carter's phone starts ringing. The caller comes up as a name, not a number, but as it doesn't say Gregory, I'm not interested. But part of me hopes Nico has de-phoned another of Carter's men.
"Someone called Colin." I hand the phone back.
"What?" Carter roars at the caller.
"Someone called Edward Thayer at the gate."
Has it been that long? Dad shouldn't have known I was here until after Caeo told him, and I asked Nico for an hour head start. He should only just be hearing about this, I should still have travelling time.
"Damn it. I'm going to skin that boy." Not only did he disobey me on staying in the car, but he also ignored my requested hour wait to call Caeo. It shows how little I know about the boy behind his mask of innocence and obedience.
Chapter forty-three
Porter
EdwardandCaeoarenot who I wanted to see right now. I want Nico. I need to check he is OK after hearing about the shower incident.
"Knox? Everything OK?" Edward enters the room with the same level of concern that Carter showed Gregory. He doesn’t even look at me, and I want to blurt out that none of this is my fault. I'm innocent. I didn’t sneak off on a daring rescue without a plan. Although I suppose it is all my fault they needed to, but only because this man put his dick in my mum without proper precautions.
"Yes. I have this all worked out," Knox huffs. "You didn't need to come."
"Nico called," Caeo answers. "He was freaking out over a shower."
The poor kid has no idea how much I want to hug him right now.
"Poor baby. Why did you bring him?" I demand, rounding on Knox.
"I… told him to stay in the car."
"He told me you parked against the wall so he could climb over it, and then smashed things so he could get into the house without being detected."
"He's a smart kid. I almost wish I did arrange all of this." Knox grins with pride. I don’t think Nico has too much to worry about in the way of punishment for this.
"He is smart." Caeo grins like a proud father. "After he got over the shower running, he came up with quite a genius plan."
"Call him back and say it's all sorted," I order. Caeo doesn't respond, but he clearly wants to. His eyes turn to Knox for permission and then to Edward. So long as Edward runs the family business, Caeo technically works for him, but his true allegiance is clearly to Knox.
"Call him and tell him to stand down," Edward authorises. "Last thing he said was something about knowing where Fannie is."
"My Annie?" If Nico knows where she is, he is the only one.
"But he's here. Does he think she is here too?" Carter continues talking while the rest of us fall silent. Listening to the sound of a phone ringing through Caeo's handset has Knox holding his breath, just like I am. Nico is taking a long time to answer.
Too long.
I need to breathe, and my throat makes a gasping sound as I inhale. Giving in first seems to be a signal for the rest of the room to inhale.
"If he isn't answering, it means he’s busy. And that means he’s found her." Knox concludes, releasing me from his grip. As much as he loves me, and he does love me, what he feels for Nico runs deeper.
I'd feel jealous if I didn't feel the same. Nico is alone and defenceless against my sister, and my allegiance is clear. It may not be obvious between Knox and Nico, but between Nico and Annie, there is no question or doubt. I'll take her head off if she hurts him.
