Page 41 of Brix

“That still doesn’t tell me why she targeted the Costina,” said Brix. “There must be something there that we don’t know about. It would have been more beneficial for her to join their cause and help in the efforts.”

“I truly don’t know,” said Marshall, shaking his head. “She did want recognition and fame, so it would seem strange not to join them. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.”

“Yes, but the question is, what does she want? This is no longer about fame, money, status, or anything else. It’s not just about getting even with the Lightkeepers.”

“It may be,” said Marshall, squirming somewhat.

“It may be, what?” pressed Zulu.

“Twice a week, Deirdre would come into London and meet with a young man.” They all stared at him, frowning. “It’s not what you think. He’s an expert in finance hacking.”

“Finance hacking? Like hacking into banks and bank accounts?” asked Forrest.

“And more. At first, I thought they were having an affair. I met with him, telling him that Deirdre had referred me. I just wanted to know what they were doing. The first thing he said when I sat down was, ‘who do you want to steal from.’”

“Did you?” asked Zulu. “Did you steal from someone?”

“N-no. I mean, I wanted to. I won’t lie about that. But I didn’t. I swear.”

“Okay, so she’s got a serious bug up her ass for Lightkeepers, has a moderate amount of knowledge when it comes to hacking into bank accounts, and clearly has no qualms about killing people, including her own husband.”

“That’s it. That’s all I know, and I just wanted it off my chest. I’m leaving for Spain for a few weeks. I don’t want Deirdre coming for me, and she will if she knows we’ve spoken.” Brix stood with the shorter man and walked him to the door.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Marshall. We’re going to make sure Deirdre never comes near anyone again.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Finally back at Belle Fleur, Daphne felt more at home than ever before. She’d always have fond memories of England and her father, but being here was where she belonged. Being with her husband, his family, her family now. That’s what she needed.

“Gabi, Hazel? Are you able to help me with the nursery?” she asked the two women.

“Honey, we will have that nursery ready long before Brix gets home. Let’s get you to the clinic so I can do a sonogram and few other tests.”

Taking the ATV to the clinic, the three women stepped inside only to be greeted by Kelsey, Ally, and Wilson. They hugged the young woman, congratulating her, and then led her to an exam room to be prepped.

Wilson drew several vials of blood while Ally brought in the sonogram equipment. Pulling up the gown covering Daphne’s belly, she applied the lubricant to the ball and then rolled it over the area.

“Is everything okay?” asked Daphne.

“Hold on, honey,” she laughed. “I’m just getting started here. We’ve got a good fetus and heartbeat, and… Oh.”

“Oh? Oh, what?” demanded Daphne. Gray and Gabi walked in, staring at the screen.

“Oh,” they said in unison.

“Please, for God’s sake, tell me what ‘oh’ means,” she pleads.

“Oh means there are two perfectly beautiful fetuses with perfectly healthy heartbeats.”

“Twins?”

“Sweetie, I had twins,” said Gabi. “Hazel just had Brix, but he might as well have been a twin. They look great. Aren’t you excited?”

“Yes. I mean, I guess. No. Yes. Yes, I’m excited. It’s just that I went from believing I might never have children a few weeks ago to being pregnant with twins. It all seems so unbelievable.”

“It seems very Belle Fleur to me,” smiled Gray. “Lie back, sweetie. Let me do a pelvic exam, and then we’ll be done.”

Twenty minutes later, they were seated at the lunch table in the cafeteria celebrating the two new additions about to grace Belle Fleur.

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