Spinning on my heel, I point sternly to JD as I pass him on my way back to the house. “Pack your shit. I’ll meet you back at the compound.”
“The fuck.”
I keep walking, knowing he will follow, along with Jols, Abbey and my sister, and as soon as we are back inside, I close the door and press my finger to my lips.
Everyone falls quiet, and Abbey’s frown looks like it’s going to permanently stick with how deep the lines in her forehead are, but I need to explain, withoutactuallyfucking speaking.
Taking a page out of Dee’s book, I snatch up the notepad and pen off the buffet and start writing. Once I’m done, I slap the pad down on the table, pointing to it.
“That’s all I can give you for now. Please do as I’ve asked.”
Abbey is the first to read it, as JD, Jols and Alana close in, and my ma and Millie move across the room with Tahli.
There’s someone working for Banes on this property.
I don’t know who it is, so we are all leaving.
Everyone pack your bags, and go where I tell you to go.
Don’t question me. Just do it.
This is the only way I can think of to keep everyone safe.
Do not speak of this to anyone.
One by one, they read my note, and once they are done, I take the entire notebook, light the gas stove, and set the notepad on fire.
Ma doesn’t even scold me as I drop the burning paper into the empty sink, and turn on the exhaust fan to help reduce the smoke.
“You all know what to do,” I bark before pointing to Abbey. “Help Tahli with her stuff, then meet me upstairs.”
She nods, an almost numb expression on her face, but she does as I ask, moving to her little sister and taking her hand to lead her down the hall.
“Ma,” I sigh, facing the one woman who has always stood by my decisions, and fuck, I hope that hasn’t changed.
“When you say everyone,” she croaks, sounding tired, “you mean me too, don’t you?”
I nod, moving up to her and gently gripping her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Ma. You know I’d never ask you to do this if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”
Her smile is soft and warm as she stares up at me, her hand lifting to cup my cheek.
“I know, Cameron. I trust you, but I worry…” Her eyes well with tears. “Promise you’ll come back to me.”
I nod. “Always, Ma.”
She pats my cheek, nodding as she steps back. “Should I pack my bikini?”
Millie and Alana laugh, and I smirk at my ma’s humour, turning to see that JD and Jols have left the living room as well, doing as I asked of them.
“I have questions,” Alana speaks up, and Millie scoffs.
“How did you pass high school? You can’t even follow simple instructions.”
Alana rolls her eyes. “I just want to know if I can take some of those sexy Marx men with me.”
“Jesus Christ, Lans. No, you fucking can’t.” I glare at my sister. “They are returning to the city, and you are going somewhere else. Just do as I’ve fucking asked.”
