“Fuck.” Sawyer shakes his head. “What the hell has happened to Charlie Barron?”
“I think he’s snapped,” I admit. “And he’s losing control. He thinks he’s playing with the big boys, but I’m sure my father is only using him.”
“All the more reason you need to leave with us and get the hell away from him,” Jackson says.
I shake my head. “I’m going to marry Charlie and act like the doting wife. Within reason, or he won’t buy it. And—” I place my hand over Jackson’s mouth, cutting him off before he says one word. “I won’t let him fuck me. You can reassure Kai of that.”
“He’s not going to stand by and let this happen,” Jackson says, shaking his head. “You know that. He could end up getting killed anyway.”
I poke my finger in his chest. “Do not fucking say that!” I hiss, jabbing my finger repeatedly against his firm chest. “When he hears my plan, he’ll see this is the only way. No gain without pain, right?”
“And what’s this great plan of yours?” Sawyer asks, bending down to pick up the gas mask.
“I’m not saying here. When it’s safe, I’ll get Drew to reach out and set up a meeting. Just keep Kai away for a few days.”
“I doubt he’ll be able to get out of bed for a few days anyway,” Sawyer says in a clipped tone. “Atticus will be fucking pissed when he sees the state of him. I’m sure Michael was told not to hurt him too badly.”
“That bastard makes up the rules as he goes along. No one tells him what to do. Atticus should know better than to trust him.”
“Kai is going to go postal on our asses when he finds out we left you here.”
“I know, but he’ll just have to trust me. If we want to end this, end my father, we’re doing this my way. I’m the one he has taken everything from, and I’ll be the one calling the shots from now on.” I plant my hands on my hips, daring them to challenge me. “Enough talking about it. It’s time for action, and if you don’t like it, fuck off back to New York.”
Jackson bursts out laughing, reeling me into his arms. “Can we please find a way of cloning you because I need an Abby of my own.”
“Lauder.” Sawyer cautions him, and Jackson flips him the bird.
“Chill out, bro. I was speaking metaphorically.” Jackson plants a light kiss on my forehead before releasing me. “Abby is Kai’s. I know that.”
“You need to leave,” I say, glancing over my shoulder as all the tiny hairs on the back of my neck lift. “I’m getting nervous. If you’ve done this early, flouting the deal, Father won’t be taking it lying down. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t returned with his guards by now.”
Jackson winks, tapping his temple. “That’s ‘cause I’m not just a pretty face. It was my idea to gas the staff room too. Everyone is out cold, bodyguards included.”
“He has guards manning the exterior perimeter,” I confirm, wrapping my hand around the door handle.
“They were dealt with too,” Sawyer says. “If anything, I’d say your father ran off to hide someplace until this is all over because he knows we’ve gone rogue and we’re gunning for his ass.”
“That sounds more like it,” I agree, because there’s no way Father would attempt to tackle them without backup. “But it still means he’s around here someplace. I need you to get Kai to safety. Now.”
The guys nod before securing their gas masks into place. I glance over my shoulder one last time. “Tell him I love him and that I’m doing this for us.”
They bob their heads, and I open the door, barely reaching Charlie’s side before I collapse unconscious on the floor alongside him.
“Those fucking bastards are dead,” Charlie seethes, clutching his head in his hands and moaning. “And how did you end up knocked out beside me?” he asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
“I’d like an answer to that question too,” the bastard adds. Briefly, I worry that he might have been watching the cameras while I was out in the hallway with Sawyer and Jackson. A cold sweat washes over me at the thought he might know what I’m planning. But I dismiss those concerns almost straightaway. Father doesn’t know how to access the cameras, and he never steps foot in the security room.
“Maurio rushed into the room at the sound of commotion, and he told me to wait outside. But I heard a gunshot, and I panicked. I saw you and Drew unconscious on the floor,” I say, eyeballing Charlie, “and I was terrified you were dead. I didn’t stop to think. I just raced across the room toward you, only realizing it was sleeping gas when it was too late. Then I blacked out.”
Charlie’s expression transforms, and he looks like he wants to kiss me now.
My father coughs, and I redirect my attention to him. He’s not buying it so easy. Time to deflect. “How did you manage to avoid it is an even better question seeing as you were in the room when they attacked?” I ask, risking his wrath, because I’ve zero fucks to give anymore. The guys got Kaiden away to safety and that’s all that matters.
Charlie narrows his eyes at my father. “You seemed to know what was happening, and you rushed out of the room before the rest of us figured it out. How is that?”
My father’s nostrils flare. “You dare to question me?” His deep voice is thick with unspoken menace.
Drew ambles over, rubbing at his temples as he listens to the conversation.
