Page 79 of Newton

It's also very possible that he's holed up with a new group of goons right in the middle of Farmington. He'll always have an endless list of people willing to help him because money talks as it always has.

If we're lucky, he'll go dark and we'll never have to worry about him again, but there isn't a person at the clubhouse or on Cerberus property that would ever be foolish enough to get lazy with those thoughts.

"Is there anything you'd like to add, Beck?" Dr. Alverez asks, pulling me back into the room.

"Nothing I can think of," I answer.

There's nothing I'd like more than to take her to lunch when we leave the office, but it's not possible.

I fully understand that the luxury of being spontaneous is long past.

"Ready?" Oracle asks as we step outside.

I give him a nod, and the other Cerberus members who came here with us today mobilize.

I know better than to overestimate my ability to keep her safe on my own. When Nathan comes for her, he isn't simply going to step up on the front porch of the clubhouse, knock on the door, and ask nicely. He's going to come with force.

Hell, with the changes being made around the property, the man would either have to shoot a missile at the building or tunnel a hole from a mile back.

I fully expected Kincaid to ask Brielle to stay at a different location, even though I'm sure every person connected to Cerberus has been added to Nathan's shit list.

Instead of demanding she not return to New Mexico, she was welcomed with open arms.

Kincaid managed to buy the land around the Cerberus property over a mile in every direction, including the road that runs through the middle of it. Before we made it back, construction on the fencing had already started.

With Wren's help and expertise, the perimeter will be fit with the latest technology so we'll know if anyone tries to enter the property.

Cerberus doesn't have the power to keep things from flying over the property yet, but I know my boss is working diligently to get the dispensation.

We're waved through the gate on the road when we approach. The gates were the first things built on either end of the road, and the property can now only be accessed through the rough terrain until the walls are complete. There are patrols happening twenty-four-seven, and I haven't caught one single complaint from the others.

There have always been whispers about Cerberus being some sort of cult, and it was always argued when someone would call the property a compound, the word carrying with it a negative connotation. We can no longer argue those opinions.

Every person connected to Cerberus has been urged to the property, and surprisingly, no one has put up much of a fight. The only person not present is Kid's son Landon who is currently on active duty in the Marine Corps, but I heard in less than a year and a half, he'll be back as a member of Cerberus. He joined to fulfill the requirement to follow in his father's footsteps. Rick, Landon's husband, is staying in Landon’s childhood room with Khloe and Kid.

Although we've stood against worse men than Nathan Adair, he might be the first willing to risk his life and freedom to get what he wants. Most criminals are after money, and revenge usually comes after.

When Brielle squeezes my hand, I realize I missed most of the ride back to the clubhouse. I turn to look at her, giving her an easy smile.

"Thank you for encouraging me to go today," she says, comfortable enough around Oracle driving the SUV that she doesn't worry about speaking out loud around him.

"Therapy isn't a miracle drug, but it has helped me a lot."

She dips her head in acknowledgment. It took me over a week of asking before she finally agreed, and even though she easily got in the SUV to head to the office, it took thirty minutes to convince her to get out and go inside. We're both works in progress.

I climb out of the vehicle and offer her a hand. She takes it easily, allowing me to pull her against my chest and press my lips to the top of her head before we make our way inside the clubhouse.

I assume she's going to want to go back to the bedroom and take a few minutes to unwind, but instead of turning left to go down the hallway, she makes a right and walks into the kitchen.

I have no clue what's going to happen when she walks right up to Beth.

Chapter 38

Brielle

My hands are shaking uncontrollably as I step up beside Beth who is washing dishes at the sink, but I know I have to do this while I still have the courage.

I don't know what it was about meeting with Dr. Alverez today, but it gave me a little hope that maybe my life doesn't have to be a tragedy.

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