Then they neared Lainey’s office.
Finn’s beam caught something.
A bold black “X” just like the others, only larger, spray-painted across the front door.
His stomach dropped.
“Taggers?” Dex asked.
“No.” Finn stepped closer. “Fuck.”
He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture. “They’re sending a message that they can get onto the site whenever they want.”
They circled the building. No broken windows. No more spray paint.
Whoever had been here wanted someone to see this. To feel it.
Lainey gaveup trying to relax.
Too many thoughts. Too much unease coursing through her body.
She went upstairs to peek in on Luke. He was sound asleep, curled on his side, one hand holding the cap. She smiled. He looked so small. So peaceful. Her chest ached.
She wondered when Finn would call. The waiting was killing her.
The silence was the worst part.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Finally, a message from Finn. She pulled it out.
“Someone was here. Not here now. No damage, but they marked your office with anX.”
Lainey’s stomach dipped; her pulse picked up. Someone was playing a game. Watching. Waiting. Hoping she’d concede. Not happening.
They could leave all the marks they wanted. She wasn’t giving up.
Tomorrow was another day. She’d take Luke to school. Put one foot in front of the other like she’d done for years. Pretend her life wasn’t a mess.
Because giving in wasn’t an option.
CHAPTER 44
Lainey hadn’t slept much.She tossed and turned most of the night worrying about the site. What theXmeant. The council. Sarah Granger’s smug smile.
But it was a new day, and the sun was shining through the curtains. She still had a million things to do—grocery shopping; paying her crew, as well as taking care of her own bills; and driving Luke to school. Finn would be over later, after stopping at the Brotherhood for any updates on the security breach.
She padded barefoot across the hall and pushed open Luke’s door. The boy was a lump beneath the covers.
“Come on, sleepyhead.” Lainey tugged the covers from Luke, who was still clinging to the NASA cap. “Time for school.”
“Do I have to?” Luke muttered, trying to pull the covers back up.
“Absolutely.” Lainey laughed. “Today is art day, and you love art day.”
That got his attention. His eyes popped open. “Oh, I forgot.” He untangled himself from the sheets. “I’ll be right down.”
“Brush your teeth,” she called after him as he bolted for the bathroom.
She shook her head and smiled as she headed downstairs to make breakfast and lunch. She cut up some fruit and poured his cereal. Then she got to work on his lunch. The sun filtered through the window. Outside, the birds were singing. The world felt normal.
