Page 68 of The Dawning
“Negative,” Tripp said. “Don’t worry about this. I just needed to fill you in. Jordyn shouldn’t find out. She’s not working on Sawyer’s team. She’s been sidelined for her recent stunt. I know it’s been difficult to keep things from Layla, since she’s been heavily involved, but it’s imperative to keep info on a need-to-know basis.”
“Not a problem.” She didn’t need any bad news. “Also, we need to shut Carly down. I’ve tried calling her, but it goes straight to voice mail. I know we can persuade her to jump ship.”
“That was the other thing I wanted to mention.” Tripp sounded frustrated. “Olivia found Carly’s phone in the wooded area along the road leading to Intech’s facility. I’m not sure what that means. Don’t sweat this shit. Relax. You deserve it. One more thing. Webb and I decided that when you return, you’ll help out in the control room and fill in as a guard until you’re cleared for missions.”
He and Webb had mentioned that they would figure out a position for me to fill until after Layla gave birth. “Yes, sir. I’ll check in later in the week.” I would relax, but I also wanted to keep abreast just in case I needed to react quickly.
After we hung up, my phone went off again. This time, the caller ID announced my sister.
“Sis, you’re up early,” I said.
She yawned. “Sorry. Abbey had one of her terrifying nightmares at three this morning. They’re happening more and more as of late. But that isn’t why I’m calling. I forgot to tell you that Stan’s wife, Gina, sells the ribbons for the handfasting ceremony in her shop in town. After you propose, take Layla to see Gina. I also wanted to check on you. How’s your eyesight?”
I sat on the bottom step, watching the sun peek over the horizon.
“Back to normal. Not to change the subject, but what was Abbey’s nightmare about?” I worried about my niece. She recently had visions of Roman capturing her. A growl lodged in my throat at the idea of Roman anywhere near her.
“Abbey didn’t want to talk about it,” Jo said. “I don’t think she wants to tell me. She’s afraid she’ll upset me. But I heard her that morning when you and she were talking. She’s seen Roman kidnapping her. Isn’t that what she told you?”
A hard wind blew, kicking up sand as my ire bubbled to the surface. “Yeah. I’ll fry the bastard before that happens.”
“You’ll have to get in line after Webb. And I love that you want to protect Abbey, but you have a growing family to support and protect. You know as well as I do that they’ll be in the same boat as Abbey.”
That time a growl burst free. “You’re right. But we will all protect Abbey and the little Masons. You’re still teaching Abbey how to fight, right?”
“Of course. Her powers are strengthening too. While we’re on the topic, you know I’ve been looking into Abbey’s family history. It’s been a challenge, but I think I found Abbey’s grandfather on Rachel’s side. I don’t have much yet.”
For a second, my heart stopped as I thought she was about to sayon Edmund Rain’s side. The last thing we needed was a Rain coming into the picture, though it was possible. Edmund had a brother and sister, according to my dad.
“Sis, if I recall, didn’t Rachel’s mom die of cancer and her father in a car wreck? Also, Rachel didn’t have any siblings either. At least, not from what Pops told us.”
“I’m trying to confirm that,” she said. “And you know people keep secrets about their past for various reasons. Look at Layla’s mom. She lied about hers. Not only that, Rachel was good at shielding Dad from reading her mind. Abbey will want answers about her heritage. Webb and I agree that it’s best if we start now and shake the skeletons from the closet, so to speak.”
I wasn’t about to argue that sometimes things were better left in the past. I had my own stuff to deal with anyway.
I pushed to my feet. “Layla and I will stop by Gina’s shop after I propose, of course. Also, you, Harley, and Jordyn will be painting the nursery, right?” Jo wanted to be involved, as did Harley and Jordyn.
“Yes, we’re buying the paint today. Good luck with the proposal.” Her excitement came through loud and clear. “Talk soon.” Then she hung up.
I sat there for another minute, enjoying the sunrise, the salty cool morning air, and the sound of the waves. I wasn’t one to lounge around. I would rather be on a mission or bashing in an enemy’s skull—but I needed time away as much as Layla did. It had been a bumpy road for her and me, and I didn’t see smooth sailing under blue skies in the near future. So we had to steal these quiet times whenever we could. I would make the most of our two-week getaway. First up was the proposal.
I bolted up the stairs. I wanted to pick George’s brain about handfasting before Layla woke up.
The second I opened the accordion glass doors, the aroma of bacon made my stomach groan.
George was flipping pancakes on the griddle attached to the stove. “How was your run? I saw you on the phone. Everything okay?”
I slid the doors shut, then grabbed my T-shirt that I’d left on the barstool and shrugged into it. “Run was good. Nothing urgent. Just talked to Tripp, then Jo.”
The tall, lanky vampire wiped his hands on a towel draped over his shoulder as his brown eyes appraised me. “But something. You’re agitated.”
“It’s SEAL business,” I said, commandeering a stool.
George collected a bottle of water and one of blood from the fridge, then set them down in front of me. “I talked to Stan this morning. He assigned one of his off-duty deputies to guard you and Layla. Paul is out patrolling the area around the house. If any strangers come to town, we’ll know it the minute they arrive. I know you’ll worry, but don’t. We have your back.”
“Thanks, but you know me. I’ll be on alert just the same. Let’s not forget that Webb’s old girlfriend, Nicki, snuck past Stan,” I countered.
He picked up the spatula. “That was different. The folks here knew her. She’s still in prison, right?” He flinched.
