“Owen was never a huge talker or babbler, but even less so after that.”
“I’m sure that was really scary for him.”
“I’d figured because he was three, he wouldn’t remember it. Hoped, I guess is a better word.”
He lifted his head and rested his chin on my pec, his solemn green eyes meeting mine. “My memories of my parents started to fade as the years went on, but still I have some. Before they brought me to Sunshine House—I think I was probably three. I was in the sunroom; a snake got in and was circling me. I just sat there watching it. It wrapped around my leg; I didn’t do anything. My mom came in screaming. They got the snake off but I remember how she looked at me, when she asked what was the matter with me. Certain things stay with you.”
“She’s a horrible woman, and I don’t mind handling her and your father if you so choose.”
He chuckled. “No, but thank you.”
He pressed a kiss to my chest and once again we fell into silence, eventually drifting to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Pennsylvania
I woke up alone,the sheets beside me no longer holding the warmth of Gideon’s presence. I didn’t hear voices or sounds, so I knew he wasn’t in the bedroom. I decided to get up, relieve my bladder, brush my teeth, and dress. I was in boxers and a T-shirt so before I went downstairs, I made a stop in my room to put on some jeans.
The entire house felt different without the kids, Rita, and Dean. There was a lightness when they were here, flittering laughter would echo through the enormous space. Now, it was supercharged, and voices were deep, serious, strategic.
I descended the stairs, my gaze surveying the house. There had to be about ten men scattered about. Gideon was at the dining room table, Danny and Alex with him, so I made my way there.
“Morning.” I smiled.
Danny and Alex returned the greeting, and Gideon grinned at me.
“Sleep well?”
“I did.” I hooked my thumb behind me. “I’m going to get coffee, want any?”
“Sure, there are also some croissants and Danishes that one of my guys brought over.”
“Thanks.”
I moved into the kitchen; with the open plan, I could see and hear everything. The dining table had papers everywhere, laptops, and a map. Who even used maps anymore? I was sure there was a reason behind it.
“We can get five guys at every location. We time it and strike at the same time—it’ll be pandemonium for Lorcan.” Alex was marking up the map.Huh, I guess that’s why it’s there.
“Are we sure he won’t see this coming?” Some guy, I thought his name was Lyle, interjected.
“Lorcan is expecting me to go directly for him, to do what I did at Slice. He likely wouldn’t expect a mass attack on his properties and businesses at the same time, and in such an old-school way.”
I brought Gideon’s coffee to him and sat in one of the vacant seats. “Are you, like, tossing Molotovs in windows or something?”
Gideon smirked. “Actually, yes, among other things.”
I nodded and sipped my coffee. “Weren’t Molotovs what he used to burn down your brother’s house?”
Gideon sat back, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Kind of kismet, no?”
“He probably wouldn’t think you’d do something he would, so it’s pretty smart.”
“We strike tonight at eight; everyone knows their jobs.” Alex closed one of the laptops and tucked it under his arm. “Sir, you’ll stay here tonight and that way, if the cops he’s paid off try to pin it on you, you have an alibi.” He motioned to me.
“I want you all checking in before and right after. We won’t have head counts right away, but the numbers will trickle in. The likelihood of Lorcan being at any of these locations is slim, but it’ll cripple him further, and hopefully he’ll poke his head out enough that we can get him.”
“What about the mercs?” I asked, and everyone in the room looked at me. “What if he hires them again, or whoever he gave the job to?”
