She throws her arms up. “I’m not a porcelain doll. I’m traumatized, not incompetent.”
Silas gives her a look that would stop a grown man in his tracks. “You’re also the only witness to a potential homicide. And heard about another. You staying hidden isn’t optional.”
She glares at him. “I don’t like being handled.”
“That makes two of us,” he replies.
She goes quiet for a moment. Then her jaw sets. “Fine. I’ll stay here. But when this blows up? I want to testify. I want to sit in the courtroom and look her in the face while they cuff her.”
Talon pulls her in by the shoulder. “We’re going to get there. One step at a time.”
Minxy rests her cheek against his chest for a heartbeat, then straightens. “So what’s the plan for today?”
Gideon taps his laptop. “Penelope and Silas go to the meeting with Chad. Talon stays here with you.”
“And you?” Minxy asks, pointing her spoon at Gideon.
He lifts a brow. “Me? I’m spending the morning digging.”
“Into what?” She presses.
“Into anyone Abi might be talking to,” he says. “Anyone she trusts. Anyone who helps her stay one step ahead. I need to comb through her bank records, her email, her contact logs.”
Minxy tilts her head. “So you’re basically hacking my mom?”
Gideon smiles. “No. I’m exposing her.”
Silas gives a quiet grunt of approval.
Minxy lifts a brow. “Does Abi or your dad know you’re dating all three of them?”
My coffee goes straight down the wrong pipe. I cough so hard my eyes water. Silas pats my back like this is the funniest thing he’s heard in years.
Talon’s jaw drops. “Minx.”
“What?” she says. “I’m only asking questions.”
Gideon clears his throat. “We aren’t discussing our relationship dynamics with a minor.”
“I’m almost fifteen, not five,” she argues. “And if Penelope hurts my brother, I’ll go full Abi and bury her in the garden.”
“Jesus Christ,” I whisper.
Talon groans again. “Ignore her. She’s running on spite and Chinese.”
Minxy leans toward me, eyes narrowed. “Do you care about him?”
“Yes,” I say immediately. “Very much.”
“And Silas and Gideon?”
My cheeks heat. “Yes.”
She nods slowly. “Good. Because I’ll make your life hell if you hurt any of them.”
Silas mutters, “She’s definitely Talon’s sister.”
Gideon stands and pushes his chair back. “Alright. Enough threats before breakfast.”
