Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I’d say it was perfect timing if I didn’t know that was impossible. They had to have it planned out in advance. But again impossible, because how did they know Sunny would be there when he didn’t know he would be there until a last-minute impulse decision popped into his head?
“And you!” I cried, shooting up in my seat. “The night we went to La Belle’s. That was another last-minute plan. We decided to go only hours before, and yet, there was already a bomb and a corrupt parking attendant waiting for you.”
Liam stilled. “You’re right. Dammit, you’re right, Mackenzie. I eat there often, but I never call ahead and I didn’t do it that night either. They keep a table open for me. For us to just happen to arrive on the night Calvin was ready to put a bomb in my car. It doesn’t make sense.”
“That doesn’t make sense and neither does Banana Tree,” I continued. “They knew that we were watching, and I still don’t understand how. River may have a rocky relationship with you guys, but I know he wouldn’t put me or Sienna in danger. If River didn’t tip them off, how did Grant and Snyder know he was watching or that Sunny would get a peek at the time and location for his trap?
“I’m asking why now because somehow they knew the timing was perfect. Sunny would be on his own, you would show up to the restaurant on the right night, River would spot the meeting, and Genny would walk out of a safe house no one knows just as the shooter pulls up to the curb. Shit, Liam, if I didn’t know better, I’d say the Brotherhood has a psychic on their side too.”
Propping his elbow on the armrest, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That’s beginning not to sound so farfetched. I certainly can’t think of another explanation for how they’ve managed to strike at the right time, every time. It’s only chance that we’ve survived these encounters. One or all of us may not be so lucky the next time.”
My heart thumped an extra beat, throat squeezing. “Don’t say that so calmly. Nothing is going to happen to any of you, because I may not believe in any of those fakes out there, but I do believe in my sister. She says we’re strongest as long as we stick together, and so far, that’s true. We can figure this out together too, Liam. If you’re absolutely sure we don’t have another traitor in the compound—”
“I’m certain,” he sliced in. “Besides, a traitor in the compound wouldn’t explain how Snyder got to Sunny the first time. No one in the Fairfield knew where he was going that night.”
I nodded, accepting this. “If we’re ruling out traitor, then there has to be another explanation for how the Brotherhood has managed to stay one step ahead.” I snapped my fingers. “Thatcher once said that deliveryman is a favored role for an assassin. Anything that gets you into a building without questioning. What if someone masqueraded as a deliveryman, electrician, or plumber to get a bug in?”
Liam shook his head. “We sweep for bugs, Blaine. I’m telling you, every hole is plugged.”
I glanced at my baby, who was trying to fit Sunny’s head in her mouth. “Obviously it’s not. You said we have to rethink everything, so let’s say somewhere there’s a leak. If it’s not the staff, what’s the next option?”
Liam sat back, considering.
“And remember they could’ve been planning this for years,” I added. “Sienna believes this stretches back to your father, St. John. Maybe they set off the dominoes back before you had all your measures in place.”
“It’s possible,” he said, almost to himself. “Definitely possible.”
I didn’t push him. Instead, I used the break in conversation to get Laurel and cradle her in my arms in prep for her nap. My muscles unwound as she chattered up at me.
“It’s not a bug,” Liam said, snapping my head up. “Those don’t have an eternal battery life. The longest a professional one lasts is six weeks. Before you ask, the only strangers that have been in the compound that could’ve planted it within the last six weeks are you and Sienna. Since you didn’t know Sunny before his attack, we can safely exclude you.”
“I like to think that’s not the only reason.” The corner of his mouth tugged up. “What about a delivery? I know they’re all screened, but could something have gotten through?”
“Thatcher is thorough.”
“Any other ideas?” I asked. “You know your home and security better than me. You know its potential weaknesses.”
“I do, and if you had asked me before this went down, I would’ve said the only threat to security was Elizabeth figuring out the code and letting every and anyone onto our floor. But even that wasn’t a concern because someone dangerous would never make it through the front door.