“No, I’m just thinking about something, nothing to worry about. I’ll be fine.”
“Caitlin!”
“What are you and daddy and the uncles doing in his office all day? Are you trying to find the girl that was taken?”
“How do you? … I don’t want you involved in this leave it alone.”
“Do you know about those people that are after me?”
“Caitlin I said no; leave it alone. Your mother and grandmother are at the house talking about our wedding. That’s all you need to be thinking about right now. That, and the prom tomorrow night. We worked really hard to get here, none of this is supposed to touch you. Do you understand? Your dad and I will take care of it.”
She folded her arms and glared through the windshield. “Don’t pout, look at me.” I had to turn her face around myself, stubborn as hell. “What is your knowing about this gonna do huh? Can you change anything by knowing about it or getting involved?” With her tiny ass!
“If this is how you’re going to be I don’t think we should get married, I already have a father.” She pulled her chin out of my hand and reached for the door like she’d lost her damn mind.
“Get your hand away from that door unless you want your ass spanked right here in this parking lot.” I have never spoken to her in anger and I wasn’t about to start now, but she was pushing it. This is something else I have to thank her father for but one of the things I could do without, her stubbornness.
“Say it again!” Spoilt brat. She didn’t answer and her little sister was heading our way so I had to table it for now. We waited another five minutes for the boys who didn’t have practice today and I drove them all home in silence. They were over excited because there was only one more week of class for the younger ones and then they’d have the whole summer ahead of them.
“What did you do to my sister?” Aiden and Quint cornered me at the driver side door as soon as I stepped out. Their sister had slammed out of the Ranger as soon as it came to a stop.
“Nothing, she’s upset because she wants to get involved in something that doesn’t concern her.”
“Is this about Brian again?” I didn’t answer him since his dad had never mentioned getting his sons involved in any of the stuff we were doing. So I decided to let him think that if he liked. I just realized that I’m going to have to tell her dad that she knows more than we thought.
“Sorry about that then!”
“No problem, she’s your sister, I understand.” They turned and went in the house with Caleb following behind. How did this guy manage to raise all his kids to be like that? Sometimes, especially in the last twenty-four hours I’ve had moments of self-doubt. How can I compare?
She was nowhere in sight when I walked through the door and I figured she’d shut herself away in her room. I’ll have to deal with her later, it was more important that I tell her dad what was going on. She still lives in his house so he has jurisdiction. Plus I need to teach her little ass a lesson for that shit she said in the Ranger.
They were all still there and I was amazed at the time and effort they’d all been putting into this thing. I know the SEALs and Law and Creed were supposed to be leaving soon, but Mancini was afraid to leave because he didn’t want his kid flying this young and it was too far a drive with one so young so he was trying to give her at least another coupla days.
They barely looked up when I walked in and went back to what they were doing. “Caitlin knows everything.”
“How the fuck did that happen? Did you…?”
“No, I suspect her sister might’ve said something but I can’t be sure.”
“Shit-shit-shit, let me go talk to her.” He stood up and rubbed his hands over his face. I never really got why he didn’t tell his wife and kids certain things before, but now I think I’m beginning to understand.
It’s not because he thinks they’re weak, but because he wants to protect them from the ugliness that exists in the world. I can see that now, and that’s one of the reasons I’m so pissed right now. Not only because of her popping off at the mouth, but because this shit had touched her when we were trying so hard not to let it. I can’t blame her sister either; she’s just a kid who saw some horrific shit. Damn!
LYON
“Mengele, follow me. You stay!” I pointed at the dog, who gave me a look then looked at her for verification: in my house. She followed me to Caitie’s room questioning me every step of the way. “Where are we going daddy? What’s going on daddy?” I pretended I didn’t hear.