“Hm, I see that thing is still in your possession.” Julian’s voice pulls my gaze up to where he stands behind the couch with Shane and Clay.
“Yes, and he’s not going anywhere until he’s lived out all his cat days,” Gabe tells him. “What are you doing here, Julian?”
“If you would all remember correctly, I informed you of having some things to discuss regarding Victor. I thought it would be best to wait until Mr. Adler was well enough to be present for this conversation.”
“How did you know we were here?” I ask him next.
“I know you may not believe me when I say this, given the recent situation, but Ido know everything.” He walks around the couch and takes a seat facing us, beside Silas and Cecilia, while unbuttoning his suit jacket.
Clay returns to his seat on the second couch with his wife at his side, and Shane comes over and grabs my shoulder, squeezing lightly. “It’s good to see you back on your feet and healing, Adler. I know it’s got to be tough not playing this season, but we just want to make sure you’re good before trying anything.”
“Thanks, Coach. It definitely sucks, but I get it.” I nod and swallow past the thickness in my throat.
He nods and straightens, looking around the room at everyone. “Yeah, I was just with Julian when he said he was coming over here and thought I’d tag along to see how you were all doing.” He scratches at the back of his head, eyes falling on Aubrey.
Yeah, nice excuse to see your girl, Coach.
Veronica scoffs from her spot in Gabe’s arms.Clearly, I’m not the only one who doesn’t buy his excuse.
“Well, not that we just spent the last eight days with you, Coach. But we’re doing pretty great. We actually found out we’re having boys this morning,” Greyson says with pride, placing his hand on Emma’s baby bump.
“That’s awesome! Congrats again. You planning on making a hockey team or what?” Shane jokes.
“Something like that,” Greyson agrees with a laugh.
“Absolutely fucking not! I wasn’t joking about getting your balls chopped, Wolf!” Emma barks out, making us all laugh.
“Julian.” Veronica’s voice pulls our attention back to the matter at hand. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day, I didn’t mean to come at you like that. I wasn’t in my right mind, and I lashed out. And for that, I am sorry.”
“No need for apologies. I understand the situation was a tender one and could make even the strongest of us react in such ways.” They both nod in agreement.
“So, what is it you wanted to talk about? The man is dead and finally out of our lives; what could we possibly need to know?” I ask with a frown, not really up for hearing more about the man who could have ruined everything for us.
“I thought you might want some answers on where he was and how he was gaining access to your home.” Julian waits.
“How?” Gabe finally bites.
“Does the name Antoine Fisher ring a bell?”
“The lobby desk clerk?” Gabe and I both look at Veronica with surprise. When she catches our gaze, she frowns. “You seriously don’t know who that is? He’s the young-looking one. He even called you when your mother was in the lobby.” Shelooks at Gabe.
He raises his brows. “I didn’t know that was his name.”
“What did I tell you both about making an effort?” she scolds us.
“Right… sorry?” Gabe gives her a big apologetic smile that only gains him an eye roll.
“Then you do know him?” Julian asks, intrigued.
“Well, yes. I’ve seen him often, and he was always really nice to me. He would offer to get me a driver every time I was leaving the building without—” Her eyes widen. “Oh my God… He… he wouldn’t have gotten me a driver… right?”
“That was the plan. He confessed to everything when Ricky and Marcos were trying to find the source of the power outage. They noticed he seemed nervous and kept looking at the time, as if he was waiting for something,” Julian confirms.
“But I don’t understand. Why him? What does he have to do with this?” Veronica searches for answers, looking at him in complete disbelief.
“He was simply a target, just as you all. Mr. Fisher happens to have a three-year-old daughter by the name of Priscillia. Victor discovered this information and threatened Priscillia’s life if Mr. Fisher did not cooperate.”
“Oh God…” Cecilia gasps.
