Page 191 of Things We Hide from the Light
“Hey, cupcake.”
Lucian remained silent, but the “I’m about to explode” vibes were a tangible presence in the room.
“I’ll get more beers,” I said, deliberately stepping between Lucian and Nolan, who seemed unaware that his life hung in the balance.
“You know the basics. This is your last chance to bail before shit gets real,” Nash said to Nolan as I headed for the kitchen. “In or out.”
“In,” he said without hesitation.
“Nolan, this could get you in serious trouble,” I warned, pulling a six-pack out of the fridge. “Your bosses won’t like your involvement in this.”
Nolan spread his arms. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my job sucks. It cost me my marriage. It ruined any hope I have for the world in general. And sleeping in one-star roach motels has destroyed my back. I already have my resignation drafted. I’m just waiting to get drunk enough or fed up enough to send it up the chain. Besides, I’m tired of babysitting.”
Nash and I exchanged a look and he nodded. I handed Nolan a beer. “Welcome to the team.”
“I don’t know what the hell you kids are talkin’ about, but I’m on the team too,” Mrs. Tweedy announced.
I shrugged at Nash and he rolled his eyes. We both knew there was no easy way of giving her the boot.
“Fine,” Nash said to her. “But you can’t repeat anything you hear tonight. Not to your gym buddies. Not to your poker pals. No one.”
“Sheesh. I got it already. Let’s talk turkey.”
“Let’s get this over with,” Knox muttered and pulled a chair out for Naomi.
We sat around the table with bourbon and beers and listened as Nash walked us all through the events of the past few days, then laid out the basic plan they’d come up with.
“I hate it,” Sloane announced when he was finished.
Naomi was wide-eyed and gripping Knox’s hand. “You can’t be serious, Nash. You can’t just dangle yourself out there as bait. He almost killed you once.”
“And this time, I’ll be ready for him,” Nash said gently.
“We all will,” I promised.
Naomi turned beseeching eyes to Knox. “But if Nash is a target, a loose end, so is Way.”
“So are you,” Lucian said.
Knox dragged her into his side. “Look at me, Daze. No one is getting near either of you. I promise you that. They’d have to get through me first, and no one is fucking getting through me.”
“He shot Nash,” she said, her eyes welling with tears.
“He’s not gettin’ a second chance there either,” Knox promised. His gaze went to his brother and they shared a long look.
Naomi closed her eyes and leaned into Knox’s chest. “I can’t believe all this is happening because of my sister. I feel like I brought this on all of you.”
“You can’t take responsibility for another adult’s bad decisions,” Nash told her. His gaze shifted to me. “All you can do is try to make good ones for yourself.”
“I want one thing straight,” Knox said. “None of this goes down before the wedding Saturday. Nothing fucks up Daisy’s day.”
“It’s your day too, Knox,” Naomi said, leaning into him.
“Damn right it is. And nothing and nobody is going to ruin it. Agreed?” He looked around the table, making sure each of us nodded our agreement.
“We’ll put everything in motion Monday,” Nash said.
“Okay. Then we should talk about preparation,” I suggested.
