Page 38 of Hacker Revelation

15

Kat

As I took a sip of the crisp white wine in my hand,I couldn’t help but think it wasn’t strong enough to deal with the situation at hand. I wanted to be out in the field and take the shot that ended Juan’s life. But Antonio’s lecture about why I needed to stay back played through my head.

The little boy on the floor playing with his baby cousin was the reason I was here. I would do anything to protect my son. No one could do that better than me.

Rain started to patter on the outside of the house. In Florida, it could rain on one side of the street and not the other. I hoped it was clear where Antonio and his team had headed to take down Juan. Rain would add an extra layer of difficulty to the operation.

“Can you pull up the radar?” I asked CJ, who was glued to his laptop. “Find out if it’s raining in South Miami.”

CJ didn’t look up from his laptop. “It’s not raining there at the moment, but the clouds are rolling in.” His body was tense as he spoke.

I wouldn’t ask to see his screen, period. I had faith in Antonio. He would call the second the operation was over.

Bridget picked up her wine glass filled with grape juice and heaved a sigh of frustration at the nonalcoholic drink. She proceeded to plop down on the brown recliner so she could elevate her feet. When the footstool popped out, she groaned in relief. Bridget was in her eighth month, and she told us every day how her feet and back hurt. A memory from my pregnancy floated through my mind. When I was eight months pregnant and Ant continued to kick my ribs at night, I would get up, rub my stomach, and talk about his father. He would settle at the sound of my voice or the stories I told.

Cross-legged on the couch, Sophie leaned over the side to peek at CJ’s screen. “Watching that will make you go crazy. Why don’t you put it down?” When CJ gave her a strange look Sophie continued, “Don’t act like the raid isn’t going on. Kat has Antonio’s office bugged. Also, the quick change of the screens every time I lean over is a further giveaway.”

For the first time, CJ’s eyes left the computer screen and narrowed in Sophie’s direction. “I don’t understand how both of you are not worried and wanting to see what’s going on. Last time, you took things into your own hands.”

I reached for the remote to start some music. My nineties playlist played in the background, drowning out the sound of rain hitting the house.

It took a minute for me to gather my thoughts enough to answer CJ’s question. Itwashard for me to sit back and wait.

“You’re right. God, I want to be there and take the kill shot. For what Juan did to our family, I want to watch the life drain from him. But last time, I froze and let him get away. I don’t think I would freeze again, but what if I did, and someone didn’t arrive in time to save me?”

Sophie played with the glass in her hands for a second. “Why did you freeze?”

Fuck.I never talked to her about this after it happened. Antonio and I had talked about it a few times, and he understood. Would Sophie understand, or would she be hurt? I let out the breath I held.

“He raised me.” I held up my hand to stop her before she spoke. “I know he was a horrible guardian, but he was all I knew for most of my life, and I paused.”

Sophie frowned. “I can see that. He was an ass to me for years, but no matter how many times I say I could kill him, I’m not sure I could pull the trigger.”

Bridget worked to change the subject, and I appreciated her for doing so. “Are you guys going to Neal’s house for Christmas this year?”

Patty and Sam were coming home for Christmas. I was excited to meet Jessica’s sister.

“I can’t wait to see my nephew,” Jessica said. She had told us she hadn’t been back since Patty delivered but was planning on going to the wedding next March. Jessica had been captured and tortured twice in her home country. The men who almost killed her were all dead, but she still had anxiety about her home country.

Daisy spoke up for the first time. She had been sitting on the floor with the kids, listening to the conversation. “Daisy and Neal invited too many people, so we’re moving it to Club Sanctorum.”

“Did you invite Aaron?” Aaron was Antonio and Asher’s younger brother. He looked like he had a thing for Daisy at the Ross family get together. Daisy was currently Neal’s sub, and Neal hadn’t looked happy when Aaron had given her a hug. I couldn’t wait to see what happened.

A light blush came over Daisy’s face. “Daisy invited Aaron.” She picked up Alex Jr. before continuing. “Aaron used to be one of Daisy’s Doms, and he treated Daisy well. Neal is okay with Aaron coming but he told Aaron Daisy was his.”

CJ barked out a laugh. “Neal threatened to cut Aaron’s dick off if he ever touched you again.”

“Daisy didn’t know Neal said that. Aaron has a nice dick. It would be a waste if Neal cut it off.”

Everyone in the room burst out laughing. The wine in my mouth flew everywhere. Daisy tried to keep a straight face, as though she didn’t understand what she’d said, but she lost it like everyone else in the room.

This was what I had missed by going years with no friends. But no matter how much I laughed with the people around me, I was still worried about Antonio. My head and heart were focused on Antonio and his mission. A wave of unease rushed through my body.

“I can’t wait to see what happens next time you and Neal are at Club Sanctorum and Aaron shows up,” CJ said.

A smile lit Daisy face. “Hopefully a three—”

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