Webb crossed the room to his desk. “We’re family, Sam, and I don’t just mean because I’m married to Jo. You know we take care of our own.” He picked up a sticky note and handed it to me. “Check in with base housing. They’ll let you know the date it will be ready.”
I stood and gave him a quick bro hug. “Thanks, man.”
“Do I see a tear in your eye, dude?” Tripp asked.
I flipped him off despite the fact he was my superior officer.
Ignoring me, he continued, “You told her you loved her, didn’t you?”
“Damn empath,” I muttered.
Webb flinched as his usual blank mask fell, leaving pure astonishment in its place. “You did?”
I threw my hands in the air. “Okay, I did. Now, can I go?” They had good intentions, but my nerves were still frayed, and I wasn’t in the mood to discuss my feelings.
“Did she say it back?” Tripp asked.
I sneered. “You sound like a nosy high school girl.”
“Wait,” Webb said. “She didn’t, did she?”
I started for the door. “I’m out of here.”
“She will,” Tripp said, raising his voice. “She’s just scared.”
“Are you psychic now?” I teased.
Footsteps pounded outside the office before my father came in. He wore blue jeans, a Navy SEAL T-shirt, flak boots, and appeared to be well rested. “Good, all of you are here.” He gave me a quick hug then blew past me to the chair I’d been in. “I need everyone’s attention.”
That edginess rattling my cage multiplied. From the sounds of his rushed tone, he didn’t have good news.
Webb returned to the couch. I sat on its arm, facing my father.
“Son, where’s Layla?” Dad set his phone on the coffee table.
“She’s at Jo’s house. Why? Does this have something to do with her?”
He held up his hand. “I want you to hear this.” He tapped on his phone.
“Steven, Jack Aberdeen.” His irritating gruff voice blared in the room.
Tripp and Webb snapped to attention.
“We should have that talk now.” Jack’s voice was cold as ice. “I suggest we meet halfway and on neutral ground. You pick the place. As far as when, call me. Oh, and make sure Layla is with you.” Then the voice mail ended.
Webb typed on his iPad.
“She’s not going anywhere near that asshole,” I rushed out.
“Easy, son,” my father said. “We’re not jumping because he said so.”
“The halfway point is in Wisconsin, not far from Chicago,” Webb informed us.
I looked at the iPad. “Does anyone get the feeling that we’re being pushed toward Chicago? Jordyn is there. Jack Jr. and his wife live there. Does anyone find that to be a coincidence?” My radar was pinging left and right. It would devastate Layla if Jordyn sided with Jack.
Tripp held his chin between his fingers. “Camden Industries headquarters is in Chicago.”
“No shit? Something is up. With our luck, Roman will be there,” I said.
