I stared at Creed, confused by his animosity. “You realize life’s not solely about money, right? I mean, I get that you’re richer than God, but shit, Creed.”
He barked a laugh. “Don’t pretend you live paycheck to paycheck.”
I glared at him. He was right. I didn’t. But it was different. He flaunted his money with the big house and the fancy cars. Mine was locked in vaults because the government wasn’t aware I had it. It wasn’t like I could take a payoff and deposit the check in the bank. The Feds would have a field day if they knew who paid me. They were nosy enough as it was.
I held my ground. “Sometimes it’s about family.” At least where Laikyn was concerned, anyway.
Creed’s attention shifted to the house, but I could tell he wasn’t looking at the structure. He was seeing something else.
“You’re right,” he finally said with a sharp exhale. “And you went about it the right way.”
I didn’t need his approval, but I was grateful for it. When I set out to do this, I had one objective. To protect Laikyn from her mother. I’d failed her in the beginning because I’d given up too soon. I’d taken Monica’s lack of action as a sign that she had reconsidered her idiotic plan. Laikyn had been kidnapped because I’d become complacent.
It didn’t matter to me that Laikyn wasn’t ready to find out who her father was. I refused to do this half-ass. She needed to have all the information. Once she knew who her brother was, they could settle the family estate however they wanted to. And I would know I’d done everything in my power to make her whole.
“So, what do you need from me?” Creed asked.
“Three things.” I turned to face him, holding up one finger. “Use of your jet on Thursday.” I added a finger. “The nicest suite Knox has in that fancy-ass Vegas hotel.” I held up a third finger. “And three, a meeting with Knox Montgomery.”
Creed stared at me for a long time before he finally nodded. “Done, done, and done. But there’s one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m going with you.”
Great. “I suppose you’re bringing your entourage.”
He grinned. “It wouldn’t be a party without them.”
“Fine,” I told him. “But my one condition is that you let me talk to him first.”
Creed’s chin jutted out, and he gently nodded his head. “Fine.”
By the time I got home, I felt better and worse for what I’d done.
Once again, I was going behind Laikyn’s back, manipulating her life. I wasn’t used to feeling guilt. It wasn’t an emotion I was acquainted with. I did what I did without concern for the consequences. At least until her. Now I worried that this would blow up in my face.
Was I supposed to warn her ahead of time? Or did I surprise her? With Creed and the gang coming along, I could easily play it up as an impromptu vacation, a way to shake up the monotony of life. But then what? If Knox was open to meeting his sister, and I sprung that on her while in Vegas, Laikyn was bound to get pissed. I wouldn’t even blame her.
I exhaled as I opened the door and got out of the car.
I had a couple of days to figure it out. For the moment, I needed to assess the status of my relationship with her. And yes, I knew it was a relationship. It was certainly more than a couple of signatures scribbled on a marriage license. It wasn’t a facade, no matter what I tried to tell myself. I’d let her in, I’d opened myself up to her, and she’d slipped under my skin when I least expected it. I’d gone my whole life without worrying that I would fall in love because I didn’t think I had it in me. Then Laikyn came along, and I’d been relieved of the notion.
I was surprised and disappointed to find the house dark and closed up tight. A glance down the hall told me Laikyn and Jinx had gone to bed, both of their doors closed.
With a sigh, I headed upstairs but stopped when I heard movement. I slowed my pace and let my eyes adjust to the darkness.
“Waldo?” I crouched down where he slept by my bedroom door. “Jinx kick you out or what?”
He gave a soft, doggy grunt before dropping his head to the floor again.
“All right then.”
I went into my room and pressed the switch. The lamps beside the bed came on, bathing the room in soft light and letting me see I wasn’t alone like I thought.
Jinx and Laikyn were in my bed, right in the center, as though that was where they belonged.
Wasit? Did they belong right there beside me every night? It was difficult to want them anywhere else, so perhaps it was.
