Page 69 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)

Miles squeezes my hand, but Jake lets go altogether, so he can wrap his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. Although I feel safe and warm with him beside me, I’m trembling as fear and anxiety overwhelm me.

Jake looks over at Bree, and I can tell by the way he’s staring, he’s silently pleading with her, but it’s Marcus who speaks. “Maybe we can reach an agreement. When you have The Count in your possession, and you’re sure Gregg has given you everything, then you’ll allow us to finish Gregg.”

Bree and Liam exchange looks before she then glances over at Kian. After a few seconds, Liam says, “We can agree to that.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, my body deflating as my shoulders sag under the weight of Jake’s arm. Something that can only be described as a mixture of relief and hope floods my system, and it hits me that there might finally be an end to the horror that has been my life over the last few years.

Miles then says, “We also need your word that The Count won’t ever be a threat to Indie. If you need to keep him alive, he must remain in solitary confinement, where he can’t have others do his dirty work for him.

“I’m sure you trust your people, but we have no idea how far his network of spies has spread, particularly if he’s been grooming them for positions of power for years.”

The four people sitting opposite look just as disturbed by this as I am. I knew The Count had raised Gregg with the intention of using his position, but it never really occurred to me that there could be other’s in a similar situation. It makes sense, I just didn’t want to think about it.

“And when he’s of no more use, then we’d like to take him out too,” Jake adds with a snarl.

Liam’s gaze is fixed on Miles, responding to his statement. “I can assure you, while he’s in our custody, he won’t be a threat to anyone, and we will make sure we uncover every spy within his network, no matter how long it takes.”

Bree then turns to Jake, with a twisted smile on her face that makes her eyes sparkle with mischief. “If I don’t accidentally kill him, you’ll be given the opportunity to do it.”

Miles’ eyes widen in alarm as he blurts out, “Do you accidentally kill people often?”

Both Kian and Kellan burst out laughing as they nod their heads, while Liam stares at his wife with what can only be a look of pure pride. Bree simply shrugs her shoulders. “What can I say? Sometimes the knife slips.”

Both Jake and Miles look a little alarmed at the way she slides her knife along the table, and I can feel them both tense beside me. Bree ignores them and fixes her gaze on me. Her expression softens, making her seem young and friendly all over again.

“You’re being incredibly brave, and I promise, we will keep you safe. Though it appears you have more than enough people looking out for you.” It’s not hard to miss the inflection in her tone, as she flicks her gaze between the men sitting on either side of me.

I hold my breath for a second, hoping Marcus hasn’t picked up on her implication. I can feel the blush heating my cheeks, and Bree’s smile grows into a smirk when she sees it too, my body no doubt confirming her suspicions.

“Thank you.” The words come out quieter and softer than I planned, but I don’t want to give anything more away and risk Marcus finding out.

Bree nods and smiles, shuffling in her seat as she puts her knife away.

“Well, if we have nothing more to discuss, I’d like to get home to my son.

It’s our first time being away from him overnight, as we had to deal with another family close to here getting too big for their boots.

Whilst we’ve enjoyed the time alone, I’m missing him very much now,” she admits, looking a little sad.

Liam wraps his arm around his wife, pulling her into his side. Kellan closes his laptop as he rolls his eyes. “I, on the other hand, have had the best night’s sleep in years, and couldn’t be fucking happier being away from my two for a night.”

Bree scowls at him as Kian chuckles. “Oh, I’m so telling Mia that you said that. Then I’m telling Hallie.”

As soon as he says Hallie , Kellan’s eyes widen and he looks scared. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

Kian just continues to laugh, taunting Kellan. “Then again, Hallie probably isn’t even missing you. It’s Liam she wanted to speak to on the phone last night.”

Liam chuckles beside them, catching me off-guard. He’s been so serious the whole meeting, it’s almost strange to see him so relaxed and carefree, messing around with his family. “Hallie Bear loves her Uncle Liam.”

The pieces of the conversation finally fall into place, and I realise Hallie is Kellan’s daughter, though she clearly prefers the company of her Uncle Liam.

Meaning Mia, who Kian threatened him with before, must be Kellan’s partner, but after the comment he made earlier about his daughter’s birth mother, I’m guessing she’s not Hallie’s mother.

Bree must have been watching as I try to piece things together, and she explains.

“Kellan has two children. Hallie is a bit of a terror, and rules over us all. Liam Junior, or LJ, as we call him, is the baby Kel has with Mia. Kellan was a single dad for so long, he appreciates the time away a bit more than we do.”

I nod like I understand, but my brain is running a million miles a minute. The words tumble from my lips before I have a chance to stop them, and I regret them instantly. “How can you have kids living the life you do? Aren’t you constantly afraid for them?”

As all eyes flick to me, I slam my hand over my mouth, like that will fucking help anything. I’m about to apologise when Liam speaks. “That’s something we ask ourselves all the time. Honestly, having children just gives us that bit extra to fight for.

“Even though we deal in a lot of criminal activities, and things that are probably frowned on as parents, it also gives us a unique position that we’re able to try and make the world a slightly better place for our kids.

“We can make sure kids aren’t used to push drugs. We can stop children from being trafficked. We can make sure weapons aren’t being put in the hands of people who are too young to use them.

“We still allow criminal activity to occur, of course, but we make sure children are sheltered from it as much as they can be. What they choose to do as adults is on them, but we make sure they’re given the best chances in life.”

Bree smiles at her husband, before adding, “We will do anything to protect our kids, and to do that, we need to make this world a better place for all children. I know we can’t change things for everyone, but we sure as fuck are trying to make it a little safer.”

I barely know the four people sitting in front of me, but I believe in them and what they’re trying to achieve. There’s something about Bree that just makes you believe in her, and for the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic about my future.

Miles turns to me before casting a glance at Jake and Marcus. “Let’s get out of here.”

We all say our goodbyes, with promises to keep each other informed about the plan as things unfold. Miles reluctantly lets go of my hand before standing, but Jake doesn’t hide. He removes his arm from around my shoulders and clasps our fingers together.

Bree wishes us good luck, and her reassuring smile settles my racing heart as we all leave the warehouse together.

As I follow behind the beautiful redhead, I feel a sense of ease that I might finally be able to take down the people chasing me.

I finally have people who are willing to stand by my side and fight for me.