Page 56 of Unchained

“Where can we put this stuff?” He scanned the tight foyer.

“Second bedroom upstairs is the office,” Nash called from the steps.

Brooks had said he didn’t want her around the planning, but what the heck was she supposed to do? Twiddle her thumbs? Clean the kitchen? It wasn’t every day she got to experience a logistics meeting of this magnitude, and the food attached to the plates would wait until she had nothing better to do.

By the time Cam had reached the bedroom, Nash had the blueprints laid out. Dare unpacked rope, bulletproof vests, some kind of mini-microphone set, and various gadgets she couldn’t name. Dropping into the chair in the corner of the room, she watched, transfixed. She should have been disgusted. Freaked out at the very least. And she was, to some degree, but more about the safety of the men in the room than the ones guarding the soulless elite who’d stolen Brooks’s freedom.

“Are you going to kill the guards, too?” The question popped from her mouth in the hushed space.

Brooks stilled and Nash looked up from the blueprints. “That would be best but would also draw more attention. We’ll figure that out before we leave.”

Cole’s icy, calculating eyes surveyed her from behind the desk. “Should she be here for this?” His gravelly tone changed the air in the room. She curled her toes into the carpet. Cole’s distrustful gaze didn’t waver.

“Man,” Brooks said, his voice firm. “She’s with me.”

Cole’s hard cheeks softened only a little. “Sorry,” he said to her. “Just being careful.”

She shrugged. “No offense taken.” Although his suspicion cut through her.

“Don’t mind him,” Nash said with a snicker. “He doesn’t even trust me that much, and I’m his brother.”

“You also need to grow up—I think you stopped maturing at twenty-five,” Cole shot back in the longest sentence he’d said so far.

Cam hid her smirk. The guys were intimidating, especially Cole, but their exchanges were entertaining.

“That’s not what Lexi says,” Nash jeered.

“Hey,” Brooks snarled.

“Ah, shit. My bad.” Nash raised his hands near his ears. “Fuck, it’s going to be hard to remember you’ll be my brother-in-law soon. Damn.”

The tension in the room settled as they laid out their plan. Cam watched, needing the distraction. Her mind pulled in every direction, part of her sick with worry about Isaac and her mom on their way—to see her. To do god knew what. Settle the score of some kind, and if Isaac didn’t get his pound of flesh, he’d take it out on Linda. Brooks was physically capable of protecting them, but Isaac was calculating and conniving. Despite his poor choices, Isaac wasn’t stupid. The other part of her was terrified for Brooks. No matter what happened, she had to stay strong. At least until her mom was safe.

After a couple of hours, she went downstairs to clean up the mess and then brought up drinks for everyone. Even Cole thanked her as she handed him a glass of water.

“Put this in your ear,” Nash said, tossing Brooks a small bud.

Brooks popped it in, and Nash ran a test to check the sound. Anxiety pressed against Cam’s temples. She took a sip of her water, and kept her eyes glued to Brooks.

“All good,” Brooks said. “What time do you have?” he asked, directing the question to Nash.

Nash flicked his wrist. “It’s 7:32 p.m.”

“We should pack up. I’d like to scope the place out before we hit.” Cole’s deep, unfazed voice sent fear scurrying through her.

She couldn’t let Brooks get caught—or worse, killed. She gripped his arm. He frowned down at her, concern knitting his brows together.

“Please don’t do this,” she whispered.

Brooks’s eyes darkened. The room became unusually quiet, and one quick flick of her gaze told her everyone but Nash held a look of wariness.

Dare stood. “We’ll give you guys a minute.” He jerked his head toward the hall. Nash rose and followed him out. Cole moved begrudgingly and shut the door behind him.

“What’s going on? You knew my plan from the beginning.” Brooks’s shortness stung.

Dang it, she was getting too sensitive. “I know. But seeing you get ready to leave . . . I might not see you again.” She hated the squeak in her voice, but it couldn’t be helped. Not with the blanket of desperation clinging to her. Stepping closer, she pressed her hands to his chest. She summoned a breath and stared into his eyes. “I’m coming with you.”

A dark tint crept over his cheekbones.

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