Despite how calmly Deklan says the words, I can’t help how my body tenses. I bite my lip and look up from the computer screen on the desk toward Sean. He’s seated on the opposite side of the room at the larger, grander desk. Mac is on the couch, twirling a toothpick between his fingers.
Deklan’s words are supposed to set everything off.
“What?” Sean tilts his head and glares in Deklan’s direction. “I told you to do that days ago.”
“I haven’t gotten around to it,” Deklan says with a shrug. “It’s okay—Brian has been feeding him. Come on, Kera.”
I close out the spreadsheet and stand slowly, watching Sean’s every move as he continues to glare at the back of Deklan’s head. As I glance between them, I can see the vein in Sean’s temple starting to pulse just before he slams his fists down on the desk and stands.
“When I tell you to do something, you fucking do it!” he yells.
Deklan looks over his shoulder at Sean in mock surprise.
“Sorry, boss,” he says. “I didn’t realize you wanted it done right away. I figured it would be good for him to stay locked up a while longer—teach him a lesson. Hell, he could probably use a few more days of it.”
Sean stalks over and looks up into Deklan’s face, apparently unfazed by my husband’s size. Sean points his finger at Deklan’s nose.
“You do what I say when I say to do it,” Sean says with a growl. “The hired help doesn’t get to assume anything!”
Deklan takes a slow, calculated breath.
“I’ll do it today,” he says.
“You’ll do it now.”
“Kera and I have dinner reservations,” Deklan says. “He can wait a little longer.”
“Am I somehow not being clear?” Sean leans back on his heels as his eyes sparkle with fake charm. “Gee, I’m sorry about that. I guess I’m not making my point.”
Deklan doesn’t move or say anything, but his shoulders and chest are tensed as if he’s waiting for a blow.
“You’re going to do it now,” Sean says, still smiling. “In fact, I’m going to go with you just to make sure you don’t fuck it up.”
“That isn’t necessary,” Deklan says. “I’ll take care of it now. I just need to run Kera home first.”
“Fuck that.” Sean turns his syrupy smile on me. “Kera can go with us.”
“I’m going to take care of it for you, boss,” Deklan says again. “There isn’t much of a back seat in the Viper.”
“I’m going, and so is she,” Sean says again. “I didn’t ask you to give me suggestions.”
“I can drive ya, boss,” Mac says. “That way everyone’s comfortable.”
“There ya go,” Sean says with another smile. “No more bullshit excuses. We leave now.”
I’m doing my best not to tremble as I follow the three of them out of the office and to the front door. Deklan and I head outside to the Viper, and Mac heads toward the driver’s side of Sean’s BMW with Sean close behind.
I can’t believe how well this has worked so far. Sean is behaving exactly as Teagan said he would, and the plan is in full swing. Now I just need to make it to the intersection where Brian and I will switch places. Once Brian and Deklan get to the secondary warehouse where Grange is being held, Deklan will take out Sean.
We slip into Deklan’s car, and I realize that within an hour, it could all be over.
“Fuck you!” From Deklan’s open window, I hear Sean yelling at Mac. “I’m driving.”
Mac looks up at Deklan with wide eyes as Sean takes the keys out of his hand and shoves him toward the passenger side of the car. Deklan gives him a slow nod, and Mac drops into the passenger seat.
“What do we do now?” I ask softly.
“It’ll work out,” Deklan says, but he’s not convincing. “You might just have to move a little faster if he stays close to me.”