Page 135 of Perfect Liar
“Elle, never mind my uncle. He can be forward…don’t read anything into it.”
“Got it,” I said.
“Nothing said in this room changes anything, baby…it won’t make you less safe.”
The door slid open to reveal a high-tech conference room. More like a situation room. Definitely a war room.
Maps and photos hung on the walls. Some old, some new. Security monitors covered the entire far wall. A wooden table and twelve high-back leather chairs occupied the center of the room. And two sophisticated-looking computers had active screen savers displaying the Hastings business logo.
Will guided me in with his hand on my back.
Robert Moore immediately got up from his seat, cleared his throat, and rubbed his pointy chin while staring at me. His eyes twinkled like Mary’s, and he smiled like her as well.
“Come, William. Here, take your place at the head of the table.”
Will ignored his uncle and pulled me to the opposite side of the room near Mary.
She hugged her son and then steered me to the chair on his left. She sat next to me and held my hand under the table for a minute, her gaze jumping to Will’s fresh tattoo, then meeting mine. She gave a warm smile and squeezed my hand before letting go.
I smiled back, happy for her approval.
Will tugged my chair closer to his.
“Let’s get on with it…Uncle Robert, do you have something for me?” he asked.
“Yes, I found out a man named Jack Lewis is putting out the orders against the two of you. I believe he’s aligned with someone in this community. I couldn’t get that name, but you should be careful tonight…his informant could be someone you invited here for the dinner.”
Will gripped his brother’s shoulder.
“Thomas, you find me Jack Lewis quickly.”
Robert cleared his throat.
“Your mum and I have questions about your time away.”
Will shifted his gaze to me, though he still spoke to Robert.
“I’m quite sure, but first let me make something clear to everyone.”
My heart began to race. The bitter metallic taste of panic filled my mouth. I didn’t know why…maybe the warning in Will’s tone triggered it. I clutched his thigh under the table.
He took my hand and leaned in close to my ear.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
I inhaled the warmth of his breath, the scent of his skin, calming myself, then pasted a smile on my face.
“It’s fine. Go on,” I said.
He raised his voice to the room.
“This goddamn Jack Lewis is about to find out he’s fucking with the wrong person. He’ll learn the hard way…this family is unlike others he’s terrorized. And Ellie is part of this family. She’s mine, and when it comes to her safety, not a drop of mercy runs through my veins. I will not tolerate threats at any level.”
“I’m with you, brother. Zero tolerance,” Thomas said.
Ben held up his fist. His arm flexed, drawing my attention to his brotherhood tattoo.
“I’m with the family too…all in,” he said.