Page 59 of Protecting What Is Mine

I need a plan.

I need my family.

And I can’t recall a time where, when the chips were down, whoever needed help couldn’t depend on the rest of us to circle the wagons.

It’s a Wilde thing.

It’s what we do.

I pick up my phone and call Gabe’s cell. “Hey, I know I missed dinner, but I’m headed that way. You going to be at Mom’s for a while, or should I come straight to your place?”

“Still at Mom’s. Any luck?”

“No…” My voice quivers as I speak the words. “…there’s no sign of her, bro.”

“Damn. Did you try her place?”

I sigh. “Yeah. I’ll fill you in when I get there.”

“Okay. See you in a few.”

I park my truck in front of Mom’s place and kill the lights but take a moment to collect myself before shutting off the engine. When I reach the door, I take a deep breath. Relax man, this is your home, your family. Sure, they’re pains in the ass but have they ever let you down when it counted?

I twist the knob, push open the door, and quietly step inside, only to find everyone seated together in the living room, waiting. “Uh, hey?” I look at Mom. “Sorry about tonight.”

In a single motion she pushes off the chair, shaking her head as she wraps me in a hug. “Shhhh,” she says. “Come in and relax, don’t give that another thought.”

When Mom releases her grip, I find Jack standing behind her. “Damn brother, did you manage to get uglier since I’ve been gone?” He steps forward for his turn, still laughing as he wraps his arms tight around me and slaps my back. “Missed you, bro. It’s good to see you.”

“You too.” I laugh. “Glad your men didn’t leave you to get your ass shot off.”

Mom protests. “Henry! Language.”

Jack smiles and nods. “Still a jerk I see. I guess some things never change.”

Gabe clears his throat. “I hate to interrupt, but seeing as we’ve been waiting for an update all evening, could you maybe do this later?”

Jack steps back and apologetically dips his chin. “Right. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.”

Chet leans against the wall in the opening between the living room and the kitchen. Christy stands at his side, doting and worrying over her husband. “Hank.” Chet nods his greeting. “What’s the latest?”

Meredith stands and cradles Gabby in her arms. “Here Hank, come sit, you can have my seat. It’s time I got this little girl into a fresh diaper and then bed.” She walks to Gabe, kisses him on the cheek, and whispers something in his ear before saying her goodbyes and heading home.

I sit, take a breath, and share the highlights from the past few days with my family.

Gabe shakes his head. “Jesus, man. You got yourself into a hornet’s nest from the sound of it.”

“Gabriel.” Mom gives Gabe her infamous look of disapproval over his word choice.

Jack raises his hand as he asks, “Hold up. The cousin, what’s his name…Clint? Sounds like he’s out of the picture at this point, right?”

I nod. “Hospital or jail…either way, I just don’t see how he could factor.”

Jack rubs his jaw as he parses the information. “What about the uncle? Where’s he at now?”

“Roger? I wouldn’t have the slightest clue. Why?”

“I don’t know man, but from the way you explained it…” Jack pauses and gestures with his hand, like I’m supposed to fill the rest of his sentence in on my own.

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