“Who are you talking to, beautiful?”
“Elias and his beautiful girlfriend.”
“Is that right? Well, you’ve been monopolizing their time for quite a while. How about letting me have a turn?”
“Oh, of course.” Naomi turned back to the screen. “I’m so glad Elias finally saw who’s been in front of his face for months, Iona. The next time Elias comes home, I expect you to come with him, all right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Elias swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, Elias. Now, here’s Joe.” With a last smile, she left the camera’s view.
Joe watched Naomi until she left the room, then rounded on the camera, his eyes burning with fury. “Your mother has been crying, Elias. What did you say to her?”
“Nothing.”
His stepfather glared. “Don’t lie to me. You’re not too big for me to handle, Elias.”
Elias held up his hands. “I asked her about Dad. I had to, Joe. Look, I didn’t tell Mom because I didn’t want to worry her, but someone shot me in the shoulder a few days ago. There’s a possibility that Dad is involved.”
Joe’s expression hardened. “Are you all right, son?”
“I will be. Do me a favor.”
“Name it.”
He realized then how much like a Fortress operative his stepfather sounded. “Watch over Mom.”
“You know I will. What am I looking for?”
“Someone out of place. He may be a biker or not.”
“Not Eddie?”
“He doesn’t do his own dirty work.”
Joe eyed him for a moment. “Are you safe, Elias?”
He said nothing, his gaze locked on his stepfather.
A sigh. “I see. Likelihood Naomi will be used as bait?”
“Too high.”
Joe scowled. “Anyone else in the line of fire?”
“Iona. Possibly our teammates.”
“What is Eddie’s agenda?”
Between them, he and Iona explained their reasoning for the heightened alert.
“Iona, do you think Eddie might use you and/or your teammates to force Elias to return to life in the MC?”
“Yes, sir,” Iona said.
“Elias, do you agree?”
