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She took a hot shower, skipping her gym time today. Breakfast and coffee might help with her energy level, even though she wasn’t the least bit hungry. Florent must have clued into the lack of appetite because he’d made her a scramble and toast. One egg, a few veggies, and no cheese or greasy meat or potatoes. Just enough, but not too much.
“Thanks Ren. You gauged me well today.”
“I thought this might be kind to your belly.” He left her with herbal tea instead of coffee and walked back to the kitchen.
Sharlee wandered through the dining room following her son, whom she’d followed out of the room not five minutes earlier. “Looks like Florent read you, too. Guess we aren’t as calm as we think we are.”
Finley smiled. “He did, and you’re right. I don’t want to admit that I’m a basket case, but I am.”
“He knew I had to eat to keep Jac happy, but what I ate was equally important.” Sharlee leaned in closer and whispered, “You know I think that Spring is sweet on him.”
Finley smiled because it wasn’t new information. She replied, “And I believe it’s reciprocated.”
“I wondered. When this is all over, I might put some energy there.”
Finley just smiled and watched Storm leave the room again, followed by his mother. Sharlee made fun of Jac’s interference when he thought two people should become a couple, but she was just as bad. Finley would never tell her, but it was fun to watch. Diversion over, she decided to work on her exposure therapy and opened the front door to walk on the porch without escort or protection of any kind. It was getting easier, but she still broke out in a cold sweat, just not as dramatically.
Levi was over this waiting game. Monroe kept both men updated. Breakfast was great, but he didn’t have as big an appetite as he normally did. He was worried about Finley. She was getting better about stepping outside, and she had gone with Sharlee inside Monroe’s place, but it was hard. He knew that if she hadn’t been armed, even though it was strictly unnecessary, she may not have been able to do it.
He usually practiced with her after breakfast, but she would have to practice alone today. Maybe she would skip it, but he knew she wouldn’t. She was determined to overcome the fear of stepping outside alone and unarmed. She didn’t share her struggles with anyone but Jocelyn, Cash, and him, but even that had been hard for her.
Monroe was back upstairs again. He grabbed their plates and cups. “They found Kaz.”
“Where was he?” asked Carter.
“In a ditch behind his house. Dead.”
Carter shook his head and frowned. “Shit. I hate that. He was a nice guy. Well, until recently. But even then, I really liked him. Wonder what Rodney had on him?”
“Don’t know, but I hope it was something big because otherwise, Jac is going to be more than a little pissed.”
“You don’t think he did it himself?” asked Levi.
Monroe sighed. “Nope, two bullet holes in his head. Not something you can do alone.”
“Rodney,” Levi asked.
“My guess, or more likely, one of his goons. Okay, the party should be starting in about an hour, so I’ll leave you to do your thing. I’ll do mine. Let’s put a stop to this bad carnival game.”
Levi waited with Carter in silence, each in their own headspace. When the first doorbell rang, their resting stance was gone. “Game on,” said Levi. Carter nodded briskly.
Each woman entered and played their part, but the tension in the room was palpable. They had recorded the conversation the other night of the women laughing and decorating so that when they got the signal for incoming, they would exit to the safe room, but the sound of women inside would continue.
Finley was worried. Where was Darcy? Had she chickened out? Had Ben? She didn’t know either of them well enough to figure out whether that was a possibility or not. The women tried to keep up the conversation, but anyone who knew them knew this was subdued for them. She was glad that the children were in the safe room at Jac’s with their security personnel, a caretaker, Florent, and Spring. They gave the housekeeper the day off. The gatehouse and house security were beefed up. And all she could do was her part and hope the rest went to plan. These guys good, but it still made her nervous.
The doorbell rang again, causing Finley to tense and relax at the same time. Darcy came. As Monroe went to check the door, he was immediately on alert. He waved frantically at the women. Finley pushed Becky and Mallory toward the bathroom. The other women scattered. They went without resistance. Once shehad cleared the room, she took note that Monroe said something in his communication piece just as the door burst open.
Several men not belonging to them poured into the room. Finley pulled her gun instead of running for cover. Instinct took over, and she hid well enough, but Levi and Cash were going to be pissed. She’d deal with them later. She figured Levi would be down in seconds or was likely already in place to take out some bad guys. Carter was a big man even among the guys Jac employed, so if they were close, it would be hard to miss Carter.
She stayed hidden and heard Monroe talking. “The women left to get a massage.”
“Fuck. I didn’t see any of them leave. You used to do this better. Might be time you retire. But that’s right, you can’t. Your Mallory is pregnant. Need to keep your job. Where have you got them hidden?”
Whoever was talking seemed to know Monroe. Must be Caleb Rodney. She listened to his voice and his words, but didn’t move from her spot behind the sofa in the corner of the room.
“Why would we? We didn’t expect trouble.” Closet doors were opened and shut. Someone was in the kitchen.
“Where’s Jac?” Rodney asked.
