Page 66 of Lost in the Light

KANE

“What’s going on?” Addy asked me as we both stood at the doorway of Eli’s office at theLylebuilding, watching Asher lead Harris, Nick, Aleks, and Kailan to the conference room across the reception.

It had been just over a week since Harris and his team were at the penthouse, bringing down Asher, Eli, and Addy’s world with what they had discovered so far about Joseph and his shady, sick dealings. I had known they were still in the city, working on chasing down any and every one they could, who was involved in those parties Joseph hosted, and who could now be a threat to Addy, but I had no idea they had arranged a meet. I dreaded to think what other news they had for us now.

“I don’t know. Stay with Jord and Eli and help them pack up. I’ll see what’s going on,” I told Addy as I placed a chaste kiss on her lips then left her at the doorway, so I could get into this meeting.

I knew Asher had been keeping a lot of what was going on, regarding the shit storm his father created, to himself, in an attempt to shield Addy and Eli from having to deal with any more of it, which is likely why he’d also kept this meeting to himself, but I needed to know what was going on, especially where Addy was concerned. If the guys and I were going to keep our girlfriend safe, we needed to know everything.

“Kane?” I turned at the sound of her voice and found Addy hovering just behind me, biting her lip, and looking nervous. I knew she was debating if she should come with me to hear what came next, but there was no way I was allowing that to happen. She was dealing with enough since that terrible nightmare two nights before. She was trying to find a way to live with the fact her own father had sexually assaulted her, while also sheltering her brothers from the fact. She was trying so fucking hard but Adam, Jord, and I knew how much she was struggling. Her panic attacks had been more frequent since that night, and she was barely sleeping. She looked exhausted and to say we were worried was not a strong enough statement. No way I was letting her take anymore on her shoulders.

“No, Angel. Do as I asked and go back to Jord and Eli, yeah? I’ll handle this,” I said firmly. She stared at me hard for a few moments, obviously debating internally if she should argue.

“Okay,” she finally conceded with a nod, and I let out a sigh of relief. I had no issue taking control when she needed me to, but I would never truly be able to put my foot down and stop her if she fought me. I loved her too much to do that and I knew it. I was just relieved she’d given in on this. Seeing her break again would break me too, and I knew it.

I watched her return to the office and close the door behind her, then I headed into the conference room.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I looked to where Harris and his team sat around the end of the large table with Asher.

“Kane? Where’s Addy?” Asher asked as he sat forward.

“With Jordan and Eli. I secured the floor. No one can get in right now,” I assured him. “Do you have something new?” I asked as I leant back against the edge of the table and looked to Harris.

“We’re done,” he announced. “Aleks has chased every lead and financial for every name we could tie to the parties, and to that warehouse. We managed to find twenty three names linked to the parties, and we’ve passed everything we have off to Asher’s contact at the FBI. There was enough evidence that they should all be arrested and charged.”

“And Addy? Anything to show who may be a threat to her?” I pushed.

“No. We didn’t find a single lead on the explosion at your place, or the arson at the other house, but it didn’t link back to anyone we got a name for.”

“To be honest, from everything I’ve seen, I truly think that explosion was just a distraction to get the cops away from the family home, so it could be torched. I’ve found no evidence to say Addy’s life is at jeopardy, and by the end of the day, most, if not all, of the names we found will be in custody anyway,” Aleks clarified.

“So you think Addy is safe?” Asher asked.

“We do. I don’t believe the fuckers we’ve chased down even knew she was alive, and linked to you or your father. I think they just wanted the evidence from your father’s home gone in case it incriminated them,” Harris said.

“So, what now?” I asked.

“The FBI are working the investigation on the traffickers and they have everything we found linking Joseph Lyle to the operation. They’ll likely bring the whole operation down with what we handed them. I’d advise you to just let them get on with it, and try to move forward. As far as we can see, and we’ve looked deep, you’re all safe. There’s nothing to indicate Addyhas been tied to any of it,” Nick continued as he looked between Asher and me.

“We’d stay if I thought there was anything else we could do, Ash, but there’s nothing else to find. The FBI have enough to take down the rest of the scum involved, and though I’m sorry to say it, I think the head was cut from the snake of the whole thing, the day your father died,” Harris said ruefully.

“It’s over, man,” Kailan added. “Like Nick said, put it in the rear view, where it belongs, and move on.”

“Thank you all for doing this for me. Keeping my sister safe is all that matters to all of us,” Asher told them.

“No thanks needed. You know we’ll always have your back,” Harris said as he clamped a hand down on Asher’s shoulder.

“You sold the business already?” Kailan asked as he nodded to the boxes piled up in the corner of the room.

“Yes. I already had several offers on the table, ever since my father died. I simply took the highest bid. I don’t care what they do with it next. My only prerequisite was that the company name be changed. All that mattered to me was that the legacy of that monster is gone for good,” Asher explained, his rage leaking out with every word.

“What are you going to do now?” Aleks asked.

“Take care of my family. My father, even from his grave, tried once more to destroy the lives of his children. I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Asher swore. “Most of the staff are being kept on by the new owners, so their jobs are safe and I’m maintaining my security team. The only one out of a job is my personal assistant, but I’m sure she’ll find something else.” I scoffed at that. Anyone who took that crazy piece of work, Zara,on, would be a damned idiot. Sure she was okay to look at, and she seemed capable of her role, but she also loved to stir up trouble and make others feel small. She was not a good person and I found I didn’t give a damn what happened to her next.

“Well, it sounds like you have it all worked out,” Harris said as he clapped Asher on the shoulder. “Maybe when things calm down you could come out to see us for a break. Evie would love to see you and Eli, and meet Addy. Don’t be a stranger.”

We all said our goodbyes and Asher showed the guys out of the building while I settled in one of the chairs in the conference room and mulled over everything that had been said. It did make sense that the building at our place could have been blown as a distraction so the fire could be lit at the Lyle home, I supposed, but still, I couldn’t let the feeling that there had to be more to it go.

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