Page 34 of Possession

“I’m getting dressed. I want four men at the house. Ava is here.”

“I didn’t realize she came back.” The comment is out of place considering he knows about the arrangement.

“Is there a problem?”

“No. Just surprised.”

“She isn’t going anywhere. Get used to it.” I don’t know what his problem is with her. He normally doesn’t question my personal life. Something went down between them last night. I am sure of it. She seemed fine when she left the restaurant but this is not the time for me to question him. “Call the men. I’ll be down in five minutes.” I end the call as I button my shirt. Dressed, I walk to Ava’s bedroom. I open her door. She is sleeping. I walk over to her. She looks peaceful. You would never believe her feistiness. There are a few strands of hair covering her face. I move them. She stirs and opens her eyes. She looks surprised and scared.

“Is something wrong?” She tries to sit up.

“No. Go back to sleep. It’s early. I have to attend to some business. I don’t want you outside the house. There will be men guarding the house.”

“Should I be worried?” There is fear in her voice.

“I told you already. You will always be safe with me. I don’t want you alarmed if you see them. I am not sure when I’ll be back. Do as you are told.”

“Ok. Be careful.” I’m surprised by her words. I think she is too.

“Go back to sleep.”

She closes her eyes. I have a need to kiss and hold her. What the fuck is wrong with me? I leave her bedroom, closing the door behind me. I have too much shit to deal with to be thinking of her. I can’t allow myself to be distracted by her. It’s dangerous. Downstairs, Oliver is waiting.

“Everyone in place?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“I want the house on lockdown. No one in or out once we leave.”

“Do you want me to drive?”

“No.”

We get in my SUV. I drive in silence. First, my brain is trying to wake up. Second, something isn’t sitting well with this hit. Cillian shows up and then we are attacked. This is not a coincidence. Cillian is up to something. But with no proof, there isn’t anything I can do. What I don’t understand is why attack the warehouse? There isn’t anything of value in there. At least not anymore. Our shipments stay at the docks in containers before they are delivered. We have kept the warehouses only for overflow.

“Why was Derek at the warehouse?” I finally ask.

“We were overcapacity. Our father requested the overage to be taken there.”

“What overage?” This gets my attention. There shouldn’t be any.

“I am not sure. Derek said there are over a dozen unopened crates.”

“Why aren’t they open?”

“Our father’s orders.”

I am missing a piece of the puzzle. Normally my father informs me of any transactions no matter how small, especially if there might be an overflow. I want to say it’s an oversight, but he is a calculating man. He doesn’t make decisions lightly, and everything has a purpose. Nothing is by chance. Clearly there is something he doesn’t want me to know. The man is up to something and it can’t be good if Cillian is involved.

“Do you know?” I look at Oliver.

“I was hoping you did.”

“I don’t.”

“I bet it has something to do with Cillian’s reappearance.”

“I don’t doubt it. We need to tread carefully. Who knows what Cillian is up to? Someone has roped my father into his plans.”

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