“I’d like to drive Caitie to school for this last week and pick her up in the evening when school is over.”
“Sure, but she has to make sure her little brother and sister get on the bus in the evening.”
“I can bring them home with us if you’d like sir.” He seemed surprised by my offer.
“If you’d like.”
‘Thank you sir.” I held out my hand and was still surprised that he took it.
In the morning I sat down to breakfast with the family for the last time. It was bittersweet because as much as I was going to miss being here with all of them, I knew I was going to have more freedom once I moved into my own place.
I’m working my way around to getting her dad more comfortable with letting her spend more time with me, ergo the school ride. I plan to drive her to and back with no detours. The more he learns he can trust me the easier the transition will be. I haven’t stopped working on gaining his trust just because he said she could come away with me.
I waited until breakfast was over before giving her the news that she was riding with me. “Ooh can I drive?” She held out her hand for the key and I just gave her a look. She knew to just hop in on the passenger side without a fight when I opened the door for her and strapped her in.
She’s one of those types who forgets the shit they did the night before. Tell the truth I have no idea how her dad kept her ass in line all these years, she’s a wildcard. “What’re you gonna do today while I’m at school?”
“I have to go rent a tux.”
“Oh yes I forgot, can you get a violet colored cummerbund and tie to match my dress?”
“Of course, I plan to.”
She’d bought a dress to match her eyes, one that I could live with. I was still reeling from some of the shit she’d tried on yesterday, but it gave me an idea. Colton Lyon is going to have a cow. I’m starting to like riling him up.
MANCINI
“Are you sure about this?”
“Hank, nobody stays in hospital for a week after giving birth these days. Even the Duchess of Cambridge only spent seven hours after having her last child.”
“I give a… I don’t care what she did and her husband could be a halfwit for all I know. Are you well enough to leave the hospital?”
“Yes sir. The baby and I both have clearance.”
“Smart ass!”
I wasn’t too jazzed about us staying in a strange place either but if she needed it it’s what we’ll do. I’d stayed up the whole night working while she and little Tatiana slept. I held my kid most of the night against the express wishes of the nurses but who cares. They seem to think I’m setting a bad precedent, the kids’ barely a few hours old.
“Okay then, whenever you’re ready.” She was dressed and ready to go since the sun came up but I wasn’t budging until the doctor said it was okay. I’d made doctor Stein stay back before leaving for New York because she’s the only one I trust. I already made a contribution to Lyon’s doctor’s clinic for the work she’ done so that’s that.
Downstairs uncle Mallory’s men weren’t even trying to be inconspicuous and I made about three of Wilson’s men before we even reached the car. We had a cavalcade on the way back to Lyon’s house and he and his boys met us halfway there before turning around to follow us back.
I was too wired to sleep so once I got her squared away in the room and the baby was placed in the new bassinet mom had bullied uncle Mallory into buying I left the two of them sleeping and headed up to the office where Lyon, Creed and Law were already setting up.
“Where’s the boy?”
“He took my kid to school, he should be back soon.”
‘The SEALs?”
“They should be here any minute. Mom refused to let them leave the house without having breakfast first.”
“Great, I didn’t get a chance to ask, but did uncle Mallory say anything to you last night?”
“Nope, he said something to you?”
“Only that he had something.”
“I’ll give him a call then.”
LYON
The phone rang just as I reached for it. I didn’t recognize the number.
“Mr. Lyon, Shane Flanagan here.” The fuck! I knew the name only because Mancini had been going on and on about calling him and his wife for the past two days.
“Oh hey, I thought I was going to be the one calling you.”
“No need, my wife knows what your daughter and mine have been up to. I think we need a sit down.”
Sit down? Oh fuck!
The others in the room were mouthing the word, ‘who, but I shook my head and held up a finger for time.