The air turns lighter, and the conversation turns casual as we eat our food and let the events of today really register. Whoever orchestrated this has done us a favor, and as long as they don’t come looking for some form of payback, I’m going to consider this a win.
I get up to grab a fresh bottle of chilled wine from the fridge for Abby and Emery, noticing Joaquin glancing my girlfriend’s way. We had a talk separate from our family meeting and cleared the air, but things are not the same between us. In time, I’m hoping we’ll get there, but if he keeps sneaking glances at my love we’re going to have issues.
But that’s a problem for another day.
Tonight, we are celebrating.
Our enemies are gone, and my future is looking bright. Best of all, I have the girl of my dreams at my side, and our new life together is only just beginning.
Things really don’t get any better than this.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Drew - a few years later
My cell pings as everyone is singing happy birthday to the birthday girl. Removing it from the inside pocket of my jacket, I’m instantly on high alert when I read the message from an anonymous number.
We have information you seek.
It is quickly followed by a second text with a link to some coordinates.
Meet here in one hour. Don’t be late.
I run the link through the malware program on my cell, only clicking on it when it comes back clean. The location is a small town, ten miles north of Rydeville. I pull up a visual on my cell, and the meeting point is an old run-down cottage set way back off the road, surrounded by thick woodland.
A perfect place to kill someone.
Unless that someone isme.
I smirk as I tap out a reply.
I won’t.
I forward the message to my contact before repocketing my cell. Abby won’t be pleased, but I’ll need to leave now to go home and grab some equipment before I head out.
My sister is busy cutting cake and putting it on plates, so I pull my brother-in-law aside. “I have to leave.”
“It’s Saturday, Drew. Surely the office doesn’t need you that badly on a weekend?”
I hate lying to everyone, but they can’t be involved in this. Especially not after the things I have learned. It’s too dangerous and I won’t jeopardize my family and friends. They have all fought too hard for their happily-ever-afters, and I won’t risk their safety or their happiness.
“I’m sorry, but the buck stops with the CEO. I can’t ignore this.”
Kai eyeballs me with an intrusive lens. “I know you’re keeping secrets, Manning. One day, they might get you killed.”
I’m not touching that. “Say goodbye to Abby and the kids. I’ll swing by tomorrow and take them out of your hair for a while. We can go to the playground and out for ice cream after.”
“They’ll love that.”
“I wouldn’t bail if it wasn’t important.”
“I know.” Kai slaps me on the shoulder.
I slip out of the room without ceremony, heading outside to my Lexus SUV.
“Drew,” Charlie calls after me as I’m climbing behind the wheel.
“I’m in a hurry,” I say, drilling my buddy with a warning look.
