“Me either, but Simon and Sean really want me there.”
My phone rings from the kitchen counter, interrupting us, and I answer it to talk to Gerry.
“I’ve checked all our intel and Matthew Wynne isn’t in any of our lists. He’s not affiliated with the Jackals or any other trafficking outfits. None of the vigilante ones either.”
Relief surges through me. “That’s good to hear.”
He pauses before asking, “Can I assume you’ve solved your problem?”
“I have. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.”
“Take care and stay out of trouble. You were smart to get out when you did. This life isn’t made for us old fucks.”
“Come on, you don’t look a day over fifty.”
“Fuck off.”
Silver looks up at me, her eyebrows raised expectantlywhen I return to the living room. “That was the guy I was waiting for. Matthew Wynne has no connection to any group.”
“It was revenge for his brother,” Silver says in a near whisper.
“Yes. And it’s over.” I send a text to Justus to update him.
“Thank fuck.”
“Landon and Justus are on their way over.”
They show up a few minutes later and we sit around the kitchen table discussing things. Landon has dug up a few things on Matthew, but nothing that’s concerning. “It looks like he made his living selling weed and pills. Lived in a little grungy trailer in Princeton. No family left. I doubt anyone will look very hard for him.”
“Did you figure out why he chose Joshua?” I ask.
Landon shakes his head. “No, maybe he owed him money for drugs or something. The only way we could find out would be to ask him, and that could just open up more problems you don’t need.”
Justus nods his agreement.
“Can I go to work tomorrow without a chaperone then?” Silver asks.
Justus fakes offense. “I can’t believe you’re trying to get rid of me after I made you pancakes.”
Silver rolls her eyes. “Would you like it if I followed you around?”
He shrugs. “A lot of women have. I’m used to it.”
“Yes, I think we can get back to normal,” I tell her, then turn to Justus. “I’ll call Lacey tonight to let her know she’ssafe without a bodyguard too. You can let Dare and Tucker know.”
“We could leave for home around five tomorrow,” Landon suggests. “As soon as it’s dark.”
Silver surprises them by grabbing each of them in a hug. “Thank you for everything you did. And I’m sorry again for hitting you,” she tells Landon.
He grins at her. “No more apologies needed.”
“I’m going to go to bed and let you guys hang out. Have a safe trip back.”
They don’t stay long before Justus goes to the cabin to help Landon pack up. After I call Lacey and let her know everything’s fine and she’s free of her security detail, I pop the panel out of the back wall of my closet and pull out a few stacks of cash. I divvy it up into individual envelopes for Landon, Justus, Dare, and Tucker. They won’t expect any payment, but they’re getting it. I couldn’t have kept Silver and Lacey safe without them.
Silver’s asleep with a small smile on her face when I climb into bed. It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen her since before her house fire. She finally gets a peaceful night’s sleep knowing she’s safe and everything’s going to be alright.
I pull her into my arms and lie there for a long time, just holding her, until my eyes grow too heavy to keep open.
