“I’m glad you came to me. I may not be personally watching over you, but I’ll be checking up on you,” I whispered into his ear.
Then I released him and got out. I had him and his sister taken care of; now I had to take care of my own children.
Chapter Fourteen
I walked over to Dermot and Neely Kate, who were standing in the yard about ten feet from the truck.
“What did you see?” Dermot asked. He looked grim as I told him about my vision. “So someone’s watchin’ us,” he said, glancing around.
“I don’t think so,” I said. “They didn’t mention you. Only me.”
“Or they were only interested in you,” Neely Kate said.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” I countered. “Which is why I asked who suggested me. Did they find this Justin kid, and he told them he sent Austin to me?”
Dermot crossed his arms. “I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I,” I muttered. “Nothing about it.”
“I want to have someone watch you and the kids.”
I started to protest that Joe could handle it, then stopped. There was no way he could have deputies posted on all of us, and he’d only do that if I told him what was going on.
Lordy. Was I really considering not telling him?
My stomach churned. We were in such a good place. We were supposed to be done with secrets.
Neely Kate seemed to read my mind. “Rose, honey…”
I gave her a tight smile. “I’m okay.” I took a deep breath and turned to Dermot. “I take it you’re gonna watch Austin’s house and try to intercept the guys after him?”
His eyes hardened. “You know it.”
I nodded, feeling slightly better. “They may only be interested in me because they figured Austin told me what he saw.”
“Maybe,” he said. “But I plan to find out.”
“Are you takin’ him to a safe house?” Neely Kate asked.
“Yeah. I just need to call one of my guys to meet us there.” He leveled his gaze on me. “You doin’ okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m still gonna put some guys on you.”
My head spun, making me dizzy. “I’m not gonna fight you on it, Dermot.”
“You gonna tell Joe?”
I swallowed, my stomach roiling. “I don’t know yet.”
He nodded. “Well, let me know if you do. That way I can give my guys a heads up.”
He started to walk away, lifting his phone, but I called after him. “Dermot?”
He glanced over his shoulder at me.
“Thank you.” My voice broke with emotion.