Page 92 of Callum

“They were together?” That doesn’t surprise me, but it does complicate things.

“Most likely.”

Maddock clears his throat, a concerned look pinching his brow. “What does that mean for us?”

Grant shrugs, but the movement looks calculated. There’s something he isn’t saying, and I want to know why. “It means that when they attack, it will likely be as a united front.”

“Simultaneous attacks from the north, east, and south borders would cripple us.”

“Yes,” Grant agrees, a heavy sigh rattling through his chest. “Yes, it would.”

“I could…” Everyone’s attention turns to Rosalind, whose face is scrunched in thought. “I could find out what their plan is.”

Grant watches her for a long moment before he finally speaks. “How?”

“We tell the GiGi’s where I’m hiding.”

“No.”

“Callum,” Rosalind huffs, her shoulders tense with building anger. “If they come for me, I can find out what they’re planning.”

“Absolutely not.” I don’t let my brothers weigh in on this, knowing they’re far more willing to risk Rosalind’s life than I am. “I’m not letting them anywhere near you.”

“If it will help the MacAlisters, I want to do it.”

“There are other ways,” I hate how pleading my voice sounds. I’m too tired for this argument, and she knows it. “We aren’t resorting to sacrificing you.”

“Yet,” Grant adds, much to my annoyance.

“Incoming,” Merrick appears in the doorway a split second before the sound of an engine cuts through the air. “Just JJ today,” he moves toward the controls mounted on the far wall, using the electric lift to raise the frosted glass garage door.

The moment the door is high enough for a six-foot-five man on a motorcycle to pass through, JJ’s shining gold mask slides into view. Grant stiffens next to me, and I see Maddock’s shoulders bunch for a moment before he forces them to relax. It isn’t hard to realize why.

It’s the middle of the day. JJ shouldn’t be wearing the mask.

Merrick drops the door as soon as JJ is safely inside the Garage. He moves past the front of JJ’s motorcycle, a vicious sneer on his face. “Jerome.”

“Not my name,” JJ sighs, swinging off the motorcycle with what I imagine is a bored look behind his mask. “Why are you here?”

“Family Business,” Merrick waves in our direction, and I see Rosalind raise a hand in greeting. “My Family. My Business.”

JJ doesn’t respond, turning his back on Merrick to walk toward the rest of us. Merrick’s fists clench, but he doesn’t say anything either, simply following behind JJ until they come to a stop in front of Grant.

“Sorry for the mask, MacAlister. I was on a Run through Balkirk.”

“Didn’t have time to fix your makeup?” Merrick mumbles the words, but we all hear them. JJ’s chin tips toward his shoulder, and I’m confident whatever look he’s giving Merrick would be enough to kill a man.

What the fuck is going on between these two?

“It’s alright,” Grant ignores Merrick, pulling JJ’s attention back to the problem at hand. “What have you found?”

“I found her.”

“Our daughter?” Rosalind whispers the words, hope lacing every inch of the question.

JJ nods, the darkened eyes of his mask turning toward Rosalind. “Yes.”

A heavy silence descends around us as we each take the information in. He found our daughter. “Is she,” I clear my throat, unsure how to ask the question. “Is she safe?”

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