Page 69 of Beyond the Stix
Fig clicks the upload, and a few moments later a picture pops up of Connor and me, but my face has a large, red X across it.
“He has it out for you,” Fig says as he examines the image.
“If he does, then why hasn’t he come for me?”
“Who says he isn’t?” Fig’s eyes meet mine with gravity. “It doesn’t matter if he has O.L.D, he’s a psycho in my book.”
I agree, but I keep my mouth shut.
After Lee sends us several more pictures, we call Dean and update him on what we’ve learned.
“I’ll reach out to my associate in the S.F.P.D. They will take care of it on their end. In the meantime, I’d suggest you both take care in Chicago. My gut is telling me that Jessup is hiding more stuff in the Chicago house, and since it’s the closest, I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Dean speculates.
“How’s Connor?” I finally ask, needing to know he’s okay.
“He’s not himself. But I need to give you a heads up, he knows about Jessup.”
“Are you shitting me—how did he find out?”
“Your guy isn’t stupid. Tobias had to tell him the truth.”
“Alright,” I rumble out. Just another layer of conversation I need to have with Connor. I can only imagine how angry he is… atmefor not telling him the truth about Jessup.
I wish I’d been able to see Warrior Black—Connor play, but that wasn’t an option. I will see Connor soon enough, just when and how it will play out between is what I’m worried about.
But thanks to Pen—he sent me photos and videos of Connor and the band when they are on stage—mostly focused on my guy rocking out behind the drums. I’ll happily return the favor to Pen, whenever he needs one from me.
The flight to Chicago isn’t bad and we land at O’Hare with no delays.
Fig drives to the address Lee sent, which is about an hour and twenty out from the airport. I sit back and close my eyes and think of Connor.
A nudge to my arm startles me awake. “I told your ass to get some sleep while we were on the plane, but no.”
Ignoring Fig’s sarcasm, I ask, “Are we here?”
“What the fuck do you think?” He then gets out of the SUV, closing the driver’s door with little to no noise.
With a yawn, I realize it’s getting dark. I glance at my watch, seeing it’s almost six p.m. Once this is all over, I’m going to take a week-long break—with Connor, and get some sleep. Meaning, not sleep, but talk to him until he understands that I am serious about us. Then show him just how much I love him, as many times as we can. That thought sends a rivulet of lust to my balls.
He’ll be worth the wait.
“Are you going to sit there, or are you coming with me?” Fig whispers from the back of the SUV.
“I’m coming… Maybe I’m not the only one that needs some sleep,” I say the last part under my breath.
“I will. But let’s make sure Connor is safe from his psycho uncle first.” Fig then closes the back hatch, surprising me with the level of conviction in his voice. I’m going to owe him, too, after this is over. And Lee.
We walk the block over to the two-story house Jessup owns, and discover that when we are standing in the backyard, there’s a straight line of sight to Connor’s parents’ home.
“Lee,” Fig quietly says into his phone. “We’re here.”
“How long has he owned this place?” I ask, hoping the tech hears me.
“Eighteen years. Tracking the sales, this house was his first purchase. Then one by one, he accumulated the others within a ten-year span,” Lee explains.
I blow out a breath. “So, he’s been watching all this time, and none of his family realized it.”
“Apparently.” Fig pulls out a medium leather bifold—different from the one he used back in Selleck, and he takes out a couple of items that are reminiscent of a dentist’s tools. It’s a good thing we were on that private plane—he’d never get through TSA with those.