“Cade’s coming in,” I said, when Titan looked back over his shoulder to see the other man behind us.
We both held our hands down to our sides. If someone were staring out their window, the parked cars along the street should shield them from seeing our guns.
“We’ll wait until Jett’s in place, then I’ll go in first,” Titan said without waiting for confirmation.
I paid this man a good deal of money to keep me safe. Outside of that he was a good, solid guy and I trusted him. Also, his plan made sense, so I didn’t bother to amend it. Too bad we never got the chance to implement it.
The very next step we took toward the house was our last because an explosion ripped through the air, sending up a burst of orange flames and black smoke.
CHAPTER 21
DAKOTA
I couldn’t help but grin as Malissa speed-crawled across the floor in the family room. Shawna had just removed her old diaper and was about to put a new one on, when my adorable niece rolled over and got the hell away from her.
“There she goes!” Mama clapped and laughed while Shawna tried to frown, but a grin broke through.
“Every time. I swear this girl is a mess.” Shawna laughed and stood to retrieve her child who was astonishingly fast on those little chubby knees. “She needs to start taking her little grown self to the pot.”
“I remember Dakota potty-trained herself,” Mama added. “She followed me into the bathroom every time I went. When I tried to close the door on her little nosy self, she cried like somebody was whoopin’ her, so I just stopped. Next thing I know, she was ripping that diaper off and heading into the bathroom on her own.”
Shawna scooped Malissa up and walked her over to where I was sitting on the other side of the couch from Mama. “Well, since you know so much about potty-training, you change her.”She plopped my bare-bottomed niece onto my lap, then turned to retrieve the new diaper from where she had it ready on the floor. Then, she tossed that over to me.
I nuzzled my niece’s neck and laughed when she chuckled. “Tell your mama she doesn’t have to be mad. Auntie will always take care of you.”
Her auntie also wasn’t taking any chances. I immediately laid her across my lap and got that diaper on her before she could make a mess.
“Well, I think we’ve done enough planning for today,” Mama said and stood. “It’s time for dinner. Y’all figure out where your husbands are, so we can sit down together. I’ll go find Charles. He’s probably somewhere asleep.”
“I was just about to call your son to see where they are.” Shawna sat in the chair across from us, one leg folded under her as she picked up her phone from the end table.
“I’ll text Fabian in a minute. Just gonna sit here and love on this pretty little girl some more.” Today was such a great day.
After waking up in Fabian’s arms, I’d cooked us breakfast and entertained his idea of keeping the personal chef he had on for at least a part-time status. I could agree that we both had busy schedules, but I enjoyed cooking. Loved the time it gave me to run things over in my mind while also being productive. And because I’d finally agreed with him, I was really close to brushing off his second suggestion that I take the day off. But then, as if she had been reading his mind, my mother called asking when we would have our first planning meeting. I was well aware that Brenda could plan this whole wedding and reception by herself and it would be everything that she wanted it to be. It wouldn’t, however, be what I wanted. So, I took the day off.
Shawna and Malissa coming over was a surprise to me, but I soon learned my mother had called her over too. Hours later I realized how much I needed a day with women I admired andloved. Mo had finally returned my numerous texts an hour ago, saying she was just waking from her hangover. I figured that was the case, which was the only reason I hadn’t driven to her house to make sure she was still breathing.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
“What the hell was that?” Mama asked, from where she stood close to the entryway. She hadn’t made it out of the family room before the sound erupted.
Tor moved from the spot he’d occupied in the corner of the room, gun drawn. “Stay here!” He made his way to where Mama stood and touched a hand to her elbow, moving her back toward the room.
Pop!
Shawna and I both stood this time because the sound was louder. Stan was in the foyer right outside of the family room and I saw him rush past heading in the direction of the front door.
Glass shattered in the distance and Shawna hurriedly crossed the room to where her purse was hanging from the back of a chair. Scooping Malissa into my arms, I went to my purse to get my gun too.
“Give her to me!” Mama said, suddenly appearing right behind me when I turned.
I handed Malissa to her. “Get back there and stay down,” I told her, motioning for her to go to where a double-wide recliner was positioned catacorner on the other side of the room.
Shawna was already near the family room entrance, gun drawn. I followed, standing a few feet away from her. Neither of us spoke when more gunshots and things shattering ripped through the air.
“Stay back!” Daddy yelled, when he came from out of nowhere, his shotgun in hand.
My heart hammered in my chest as I wondered what the hell was happening. But I didn’t speak, didn’t want to upset Mama anymore and I knew Shawna was wondering the same thing. We both turned as something crashed through the window. The person dressed in all black with a mask over their face climbed inside. Shawna and I both fired instantly until the body fell to the floor.
