Page 26 of Secrets

“I know, Nine. I’m telling you that something about all of this feels very weird. This guy has more security attached to him than Jeffrey Dahmer. I think there’s more to this than we know.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time,” said Ian. “What are you proposing?”

“Katrina and I will go to Chicago,” she said, raising her hand to stop them as the onslaught of ‘no fucking ways’ were headed her direction. “We’ll get to Chicago with an entire team for protection. Jay is vulnerable right now without counsel. We go in, ask to speak with him as potential counsel, and see what we can find out.”

“I don’t like that at all,” frowned Miller.

“Of course you don’t,” said Kari. “You never like it when we step inside places like that. It’s part of our job, babe. You can come along if it will make you feel better.”

“She’s got a good point, mon frére,” said Gaspar. “We have to speak with him. This might be our only opportunity. We send the two of them with two of us. We can record everything in the room, block the cameras and security from the prison, and no one will know who was there.”

“Alright,” frowned Miller. “But I’m going with you.”

“Me too,” frowned Nathan, standing, leaning against the doorframe. “I know I’m not on the Gray Wolf team, but my wife is going, so I’m going.”

“Fair enough,” smirked Ghost. “Should we send Juan ahead, maybe to see if there’s anything he can find out?”

“I’d say let’s wait,” said Kari. “He might tell us what we want to know on his own. Something about all of this isn’t exactly feeling right to me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Nine.

“His lawyers had it all in hand. The feds were cooperating. They were trying to give him everything he wanted. Why would the lawyers suddenly leave, saying he wasn’t cooperating?” Nine stared at the others, biting his lower lip in frustration.

“I guess we’re about to find out.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“I’m just putting some numbing medication over the site, Millicent,” said Keegan. “Once we’re certain you’re numb, Lena will laser off the tattoo.”

“I’ll be so happy to be rid of this thing,” said Millicent. “I can’t believe I was so naïve as to believe it was a birth number.” She rolled her eyes, and Trevon chuckled, kissing the back of her fingers.

“Honey, you didn’t have a lot of exposure other than your family. Did you ever watch television?” he asked.

“Some. Jay and Dad chose what we could watch. It was usually old westerns and a few silly game shows. I was able to watch cartoons when I was younger, but that stopped around the age of ten.”

“I’m sorry, honey,” said Trevon. “We’ll have to make sure we catch up on all the programs you missed.”

“That’s okay,” she smiled. “I’ve watched a few over the last couple of years, and I’m not sure I missed out on anything. All that reality television seems pretty sad to me.”

“It is that,” he laughed.

“Alright, Millicent. You should be numb by now. You’re still going to hear the laser. It will give off a clicking sound, but the only thing you should feel are maybe small stings, like needles or pulses of heat. If it gets bad, raise your right hand, but don’t move. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said, leaning forward on the chair. Her face fit perfectly through the small, cushioned opening. While Trevon held her left hand, her right hand was free to wiggle if need be.

During the entire procedure, Keegan and Winter talked to her about hair and makeup, new styles that Gwen was working on for the fall and winter, and the trending shoes and boots for fall and winter.

“I’ve never had anyone to talk fashion or makeup with,” said Millicent, looking through the opening of the chair. “It’s kind of nice.”

“We’re all done, honey,” said Lena. “It’s going to feel a bit like the worst sunburn ever for a few days. When I check it at the end of the week, I can let you know if I think we need to do an additional pass over it just to be sure it’s all gone.”

“Thank you, Lena,” smiled Trevon. “Thank you all.”

“Our pleasure, honey,” said Keegan. “Come and see us when you’re feeling like it, Millicent.”

“I will. I promise.”

Hand in hand, she and Trevon walked back toward the main property. It was another hot, humid, sticky day in Louisiana, but they were both used to it by now.

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