He was right. “After the warden told me the news. Which I think was more for the kids' benefit than mine. He had told me about a rumor that had been going around the prison.”
I took a deep breath knowing I would need to explain to all of them what was happening. I wasn’t stupid. I knew I was surrounded by people who could protect me and my kids. But they needed to know what was happening.
“What’s the rumor, Maggie?” Holden had moved from his seat and sat cross-legged on the floor beside me.
“According to him, Fred was not happy that everything was taken from him.” I pulled my hands from both Shiloh and Holden and sat on them. “He’s not happy that he lost his wife and his children. And I imagine he was especially not happy he lost one of his businesses.”
Tiff sat back once more. “Well, that makes sense. He was douche, he paid the price. It wouldn’t be a punishment if he was happy with what he got.”
I stifled a smile at her simplistic outlook. She was a drama queen with a privileged background, but the woman could not stand injustice.
Shiloh pushed a shoulder into mine. “That’s not all, is it?”
“No.” I shook my head. “According to the warden. Fred has promised revenge for everyone who put him in that position.”
“Fuuuck.” That came from Theo who hadn’t said anything up to that point. He shared a glance with Hunter and turned back to me.
I shook my head and continued. “I mean surely the police and the lawyers and the judge have been warned as well. Right?”
Shiloh nodded. “They would’ve been warned. But I doubt they would change too much. It wasn’t like Fred was a big player in the weapons world or anything. Still, I want you and the kids protected.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“Definitely.”
“That goes without saying.”
Jason, Holden, and Tiffany spoke at the same time. Still, nothing more from Theo. I knew that he didn’t approve of my relationship and marriage with Fred. And until a few months ago, he’d taken every opportunity to remind me what a bad decision that was.
As everyone exchanged ideas I frowned and held up my hand. “Hold it. This is my life we’re discussing.”
“But we need to figure out a plan.” Holden leaned back with arms stretched behind him. “Shiloh’s right, that does sound like a threat against you and the kids.”
“Wait.” Tiffany’s smile brightened as she shot to her feet holding her hands in a stop motion. She placed her hands on her hips and darted her eyes between me and Theo. “I have a brilliant idea. Maggie should move into the mansion. There’s a whole wing not being used, and that place is practically Fort Knox. This is perfect.”
“Absolutely not.” I gave her a stern look. She didn’t want to live there. But suddenly it was okay for me to. Her words were like a physical punch to the solar plexus. That house representedeverything I hated. The damage to Cat and Tiff, a life Theo chose instead of following his dreams. It represented all the judgment he threw my way, not to mention the hypocrisy. I couldn’t live there. “I am not disrupting Theo’s life. What about Zoe and Connor? We can’t just uproot their lives. And it wouldn’t be just me. My kids would be with me.”
Tiffany’s frown deepened. “Of course, the kiddos would be with you.” She turned to her brother. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Back me up here.”
Even before I turned in his direction I could feel his eyes on me. Theo always had a way of watching me with a focused intensity, those beautiful green eyes stripping away my defenses. I risked a glance. He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. The air crackled between us as all my focus shifted to him. “Maggie, move in. I have the best security system on the market.” He shoved a thumb in Hunter’s direction. “A bodyguard that lives on the property. And if it's your pride that’s the problem, I am in need of a new housekeeper. I can include board and lodging into whatever compensation package we work out and you’ll still have time to go into the bar a few times a week.”
Was he insane? We couldn’t stay under the same roof. “We can barely stand each other. I don’t think living in the same house will make that better.”
“Probably not. So, are we taking your things tonight? Or are Hunter and I collecting them in the morning?”
I shook. “I haven’t even agreed yet.”
“Only because you think this is optional, when in fact it is the plan that is the most practical.”
“Thee.” Tiff used the nickname when she was trying to get her brother’s attention. “I don’t think being bossy is going to make her more amenable.”
Theo’s eyes never left mine, and the silence stretched between us thick with the hurtful words we spat at each other over the last eight years. He never approved of my relationship with Fred. At least, I never gave up on my dreams in exchange for a billionaire lifestyle.
There was no warmth in that beautiful green gaze, just a knowing look pleading with me to be reasonable. There was logic to what he said. I knew there was. Everything he said was correct. That expression was a mix of a plea and dare. A plea for me not to be difficult, and dare to refute all logic and refuse his offer.
His gaze dropped to the coloring book on the table and then back up at me. His features softened and only the plea was evident.
Was I really considering my pride over my children’s safety?
