Page 19 of Peaceful Chaos

Marks is right behind him. "Would you quit barking orders? Let's hear them out."

There's a tension present between them that didn't seem to be there a week ago. "Lucien is going to call the realtor and put an offer on that property," I explain. I don't mention the money, but Luce knows what I’m trying to say.

"The property you still haven't given me the address of?" he snaps.

"Yeah, you can keep asking, but we're keeping it on a need to know basis," Lucien shoots back.

Holbrook cocks an eyebrow. "And I'm not on the list of those who need to know?"

"Damien sure the fuck isn't," I chime in.

"I'm not going to tell him until it's necessary," he grumbles.

Lucien feigns a casual demeanor. "See, that's the thing. Your definition of what is necessary and ours are worlds apart."

Marks nods, while Holbrook crosses his arms. "I keep having to repeat myself, but again moving isn't necessary. The DA is going to file charges any day now, and then he'll be behind bars," Holbrook states. I don't know what is more frustrating, that right now we're under his control, or that he really believes the justice system is going to be able to beat Damien Blackthorne.

Lucien and I trade another look. If what Holbrook is saying is true, then it's even more urgent we find more secure housing. "Do it," I tell him. He doesn't wait for Holbrook's approval and leaves the room to go make the call.

"You need to have more faith in the system," Holbrook says to me.

"The system and I have trust issues."

"Pretty typical sentiment for a criminal," he snaps.

Marks slams his hand down on the counter. "That's enough, Grant! Your attitude is making everything worse. The guys and I have everything covered here. You should go and make sure all the paperwork the DA needs is in order."

Holbrook puffs out his chest and glares at his friend and subordinate. "I am primary on this case."

"You won't have a case if you lose the cooperation of the witnesses," Marks shouts at him.

"Witnesses," Holbrook scoffs. "More like criminal actors. I never should have pushed for that deal."

I clutch my fists at my sides. He's definitely still pissed at me. Just the other day he was apologizing, and now he’s back to singing this song. I’m sure the pressure of not having this case closed is wearing him down.

Well, fuck him. I'm tired of being used to fight someone else's war. But the question is, am I willing to ask for help?

My hands shake as I reach for my phone. I say nothing as I walk past them and head toward my room.

Raven stirs awake when the door clicks shut behind me. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and sits up. "What time is it?"

"Almost eight. You should sleep more."

"I feel like all I do is sleep." Her gaze sharpens and she studies me closely. I know it's coming, and I'm resolved not to be dismissive. "What's wrong?" she asks at last.

I sit down on the bed beside her. "Your uncle is being a dick."

"He seems pretty good at that. What is it this time?"

I exhale. "He called me a criminal and said he shouldn't have cut a deal with us."

"Motherfucker!" she exclaims and starts to toss the blankets off.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"To give him a piece of my mind, or punch him in the face. I'll figure it out when I'm in front of him."

I almost chuckle at her ferocity. She's small, but like a kitten, my wife has claws. The last thing I want is to turn her ire my way. "Just hold up a sec. As much as I'd love to see you go all angry kitty on him, I want to talk to you about something."

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