Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Her gun jams or something, causing her to curse and toss it aside, not that her aim is any good anyway. With the gun forgotten, she drops the guy’s body and turns to run. Cole lifts from on top of me and begins to check me over.
“I’m fine. She caught me in the vest,” I say to ease his panic.
He stands and lifts me in his arms. “Put me down. We’re outnumbered. I need to help.”
“Who says we’re outnumbered?” Logan’s voice comes through the comms.
The sound of the gunfire shifts. I peek around Cole to see Logan, LaSalle, Dylan, Jamie, the Blacks, McGowans, and my uncles rushing the building as they join the Bellas to clear the place out.
“You and Cole get out of here. We’ve got this,” my mum says into the earpiece.
“I was wondering when ye were going to show up,” Uncle Ewan says.
“I’ve been around, but today my baby needed me,” Mum replies.
CHAPTER 51
Gun Smoke
Onyx
Present day ...
I wake with a smile on my face. I have way more to smile about these days. Spending time with Deja and my grandbabies is the highlight of my life.
“Time to go check on my wee monster,” I say to myself as I stretch my arms over my head.
I told Deja not to worry about the kids today. I know it’s not her real wedding, but she can still enjoy as much of the experience as possible. Besides, I can handle getting three little ones ready for the day.
I’ll start with Patrick. I can’t wait to see my handsome boy in his little tux. I’ve missed out on so much, but getting to be there when my grandson was born meant everything to me. Patrick Ian O’Brien is the most precious baby ever.
That smile melts my heart whenever I see it. Deja is such a good mother. I’m proud of Cole too.
He’ll do anything for my daughter and their kids. I know Ian would be proud of him. He reminds me a lot of his grandfather.
While lost in my thoughts of how Ian Black’s plans have all begun to come into fruition, I shower and get myself ready first. Once dressed in my robe, I go to the nursery where Patrick is.
It’s when I’m right outside the door that I hear a young voice inside. Patrick isn’t even one yet, so it’s not his voice. I stop with my hand on the handle as I listen.
“Hey, Patrick. A lot of people are going to be angry with me after today, but I have to do it this way. I had to lie.
“I’ve seen all the paths this day could take. This one is the only one where we don’t lose anyone. Not permanently.
“In the other paths, you lose your grandma and grandpa. I can’t allow that. You will need both lions to roar beside me. I need you like you need them.
“I’m doing this to make it right. I’m still learning, but I know this time I’m doing the right thing. You will see.”
Sammy, that’s Sammy’s voice. I release the door handle and take a step back. I stand wondering if I should tell the others what I’ve heard.
Then I cover my mouth. This child has never been wrong. If I say something, I could die today.
Deja has spent enough of her life without me. I can’t allow that to happen again. However, this child has just admitted to lying, and everyone is prepared to put their lives on the line today based on his word.
Just when I am ready to turn and find Brooklyn, the door opens and Sammy steps out. He looks me in the eyes with his piercing gray ones and lifts his finger to his lips.
“Trust me,” he whispers, then walks off as if he has said nothing.
“Your little ass is the reason I have gray hair,” I mumble to myself and head into Patrick’s room.
Brooklyn
Now that the shock has worn off, I shouldn’t be so surprised this woman has defied me and is here by my side. We argued for weeks about her role in all of this. This was not the plan.
Learning what my woman is truly capable of was a shock, but I hate it to this day. Not because she doesn’t need me, but the fact that she’s so willing to jump into action because she’s fucking badass. That’s fine, but at any minute, any one of us could take a hit.
I would lose my mind if I lost her to any of this. Patrick hasn’t even turned one yet. Yet here we are, explosions happening all around us, gunfire ringing out, and chaos ensuing all over the estate while our family and guests are all underground.
We’ll be lucky if any of them show up for the real thing in Scotland. The guest list, the wedding invites, all had to look authentic.