Page 168 of The Silent Note

But it’s not fooling anyone. There’s a lot going on that Finn isn’t sharing.

I exchange a look with my wife. Grey offers me a soft, assuring smile that makes me want to back her up against the wall and kiss her senseless.

Her nose scrunches like she can read my thoughts.

The clock on the wall ticks away the seconds.

Everyone is staring but no one is speaking.

The silence gets awkward really freaking fast.

“Uh,” I break the ice since I have never been afraid of awkwardness, “this is usually the time I’d insert a joke. So let’s pretend I did.” I move around the conference table towards my brother. My voice is as grim as my face. “I don’t know what dad is planning, Finn, but screw him.”

“Yeah, screw’im,” Sol agrees.

“Screw him,” Dutch growls.

Finn looks at me and then at Dutch. The glint of cunning determination returns to his eyes. Eyes that aren’t blue or hazel or even shaped like ours, but hell, you couldn’t convince me we have different DNA.

I watch as Dutch moves over to us. He sets a hand on Finn’s shoulder. “I’m not attending this meeting unless it’s withbothof my brothers.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” I agree.

Finn dips his chin. “I’ll drive.”

Sol spreads his hands out. “I’ll gather supplies in case you want to set fire to something when you’re done.”

I smirk.

Dutch rolls his eyes.

Finn just shakes his head.

Everyone leaves the room. Grey starts to follow them, but I hold her back.

She turns to me, her sweet brown eyes inquiring.

“I wanted to tell you something.” I glance back and forth to make sure we’re truly alone. Lowering my voice, I admit, “I recognize that man in the video. The one Slavno traded Sloane to.”

“What?” Her eyes bug and she turns fully to me. “How?”

“He’s the same one who tried to break into the house.”

“Are you sure?”

“I recognize the tattoo on his neck.”

I watch the shock plummet through her and feel a keen sense of helplessness.

Gripping her upper arm with my good hand, I say firmly, “Come with us to the house.”

“No.” She shakes her head.

“Grey.”

“I want to go through the files on the flash drive and I don’t want to do that when your father is two feet away.”

“Is that all?” I drill my stare into her. “Or are you avoiding Marion?”

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