Page 46 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

Wyatt and Lucas could see the tension all over Ben. Wyatt touched his brother’s shoulder, hoping to offer a little comfort. “I promise. We’ll get it sorted. In the meantime, it’s almost like Fort Knox over there.”

“Almost is not good enough. Is there anything else we can do?”

Wyatt could understand his frustration: "The team is working as fast as possible to install additional security measures. They are also working on another analysis for weaknesses in our security and more ways to shore up where we might be exposed. I know it’s hard, but we need to try not to worry.” Wyatt continued to reassure Ben. “We’ll get these bastards.”

“We have to.” Ben paused, wondering if he should tell Wyatt why there was a new urgency. “It’s not just Dillyn and Selah I’m worried about. Dillyn’s pregnant.”

Both Lucas and Wyatt’s eyes widened. They hadn’t heard correctly. Lucas needed Ben to repeat himself. “Did you just say that Dillyn is pregnant?”

Ben nodded.

Wyatt was knocked clear on his ass. He wouldn’t have expected that in a million years, especially from Ben. “I don’t mean no offense, but I can’t imagine this was planned. Was it?”

“It’s unexpected but not unwelcome.” Ben admitted.

Wyatt looked skeptical.

Lucas didn’t think Ben would ever get married or have children again. He was shocked.

Ben could read his brother’s faces like a book. “I know everything between Dillyn and me is happening fast. I won’t lie and say I don’t have concerns, but not about her or the pregnancy.”

“Then what?” Lucas asked.

“There’s just so much shit that could go wrong. There’s been too much death in this family. I can’t . . .” Ben couldn’t finish his sentence.

Lucas slapped Ben on his back. “C’mon dude. Dillyn’s strong. Nothing is going to happen to anyone.”

Wyatt nodded. “Not on our watch. We won’t let it.”

“Every second that we can’t figure out what the hell is going on is another moment that I can’t keep my family safe.”

Lucas folded his arms across his chest and turned to Wyatt. “Nothing on Syntax or the people who tried to take Selah, huh?”

“No, but I just had a thought. I’ll make a few more calls in a couple of hours. It’s too early now.”

Ben was wound tight as a drum, and Lucas wanted to ease his mind. “Whisper’s probably pissed at you for making her wait this long.”

Ben raked a hand through his hair. “Yeah. I will shower quickly and take her out for a run.”

“You better do something nice.” Lucas chuckled. “Damn, horse might not be so friendly when she finds out you knocked Dillyn up, and she won’t be your baby anymore. I mean, damn, dude. That was quick.”

Wyatt laughed. “Has it even been a hundred and twenty days?”

“Shut-up. Both of you. Imma go get that shower.” Ben brushed past his brothers and headed toward his bedroom.

As soon as Ben was out of earshot, the upbeat and jovial Lucas was replaced with a seriousness that this moment deserved. “We’ve got to figure this shit out.” Lucas turned to Wyatt. “It would break him if something happened to her. He would never recover from this one.”

There was no way in hell Wyatt or Lucas would let anything happen to anyone. Wyatt spoke quietly as he stared in the direction that Ben had gone. “We’ll keep them safe. I know I’m missing something and keep hitting a brick wall. Getting information out of Dillyn about Syntax is like squeezing blood from a turnip. I have a feeling he is the key.”

“Do you think she knows more than she’s letting on?” Lucas asked.

“About Syntax? Absolutely. She seems loyal to him, but not in a nefarious way. About the other shit? I doubt it. Dillyn wants to solve this as much as we do.”

“That’s the vibe I get too.”

Wyatt looked thoughtful, “I have one more favor I can call in.”

Lucas nodded. He knew better than to ask any questions. Wyatt never had any answers anyway. Everything with him was always super-secret. This was one of those times when Lucas just had to trust him. “Call it in then, and let me know if there is anything I can do.”

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