Page 61 of Two Steps Ahead

Sheila reached over and squeezed her hand. There was more than comfort in her touch. There was heartache for her situation, determination and love. It didn’t matter that they barely knew each other. Kayleigh knew she was part of Sheila’sfamily. For the first time in twenty years, it felt like she had a mother again.

And Kayleigh would do anything to keep her. And keep her safe.

WITHINTHENEXTthirty minutes, Weston’s brothers made a stealth entrance through the back door. They’d brought equipment from the office and, within fifteen minutes of being together, were ready to make their move.

The plan was simple: a unilateral attack on all three of the surveillance cars they’d spotted. If they could take them out at once, it drastically reduced the chances of anything more dangerous happening.

With all of them in position covering the few blocks, Weston had high hopes that they’d succeed. Kayleigh would be staying in the house with Mom and Dad. The best way they could help was by keeping everything dark and quiet in the house.

“Everyone in position?” Weston’s gaze darted over the street as his brothers’ affirmatives came through his earpiece.

They needed to work as one unit so that none of the vehicles got word to the others. None of the Patterson men planned to use violence when taking out these watchers, but they would do whatever they had to do to protect their parents.

Weston felt the same way about protecting Kayleigh. He’d keep her safe no matter what.

They needed to find out who the surveillance team worked for. Weston’s money was on Oliver Lyle. Bastard wanted to stop the merger and was gathering intel so he could make a move in the next few hours, before the merger.

Weston and his brothers weren’t going to let that happen.

Weston circled the house and came up in the blind spot of the sedan, the first vehicle Dad had seen. He’d watched it through the windows while he’d spoken to his parents and there was definitely someone inside.

Brax and Chance would take the van at the end of the street. Luke had the car closest to the park. They would all move at the same time.

“Okay, let’s go,” Weston said. “Ready in five, four, three, two—”

On one, Weston yanked open the car door, seized the driver by the shirt and dragged him out from behind the steering wheel. He could hear the sounds of his brothers finishing their own missions, but it was all background noise because all he could see was the man in his hands.

Jasper Eeley.

Weston threw him face-first against the car, trapping him with his body before the snake could slither free. “What the hell are you doing here, Eeley? Are you attacking my parents? Working for Oliver Lyle?”

Weston jerked the bigger man’s arm up his back, keeping him pinned against the sedan so he couldn’t move. Jasper didn’t respond.

“Report,” Weston barked into his comm unit.

“Van is clear, subjects subdued,” Brax said.

“Same,” said Luke.

“I’m good too,” Weston responded. “But you’ll never guess who I found in my vehicle. Our old friend Jasper Eeley.”

All three of his brothers let out curses. They echoed Weston’s own sentiment.

“Patterson.” Jasper finally spoke. “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not right. I’m not here to hurt Kayleigh, I’m here to protect her. Don’t let your brothers hurt my men for following orders.”

Weston pushed him more fully into the car. “If you’re so concerned about your employees’ safety, you might ought to have thought of that before you came hunting my family.”

“It’s not like that. Just hear me out.”

Weston wanted to pummel the other man. Had to use a surprising amount of restraint not to do so.

“Weston,” Brax said in his ear. “Guys in the van say they’re on protection duty. Surveilling for forces coming toward the house, not to see if anyone leaves.”

“We can’t trust them,” Weston snapped.

“Agreed,” Chance said. “But based on their equipment and stance when we caught them, I think they may be telling the truth. They were looking in the wrong direction.”

“And three vehicles for surveillance is a little overkill,” Luke chimed in.

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