Page 99 of The Last Morgan

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "Why aren't you with them, then?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Because something's come up that needs to be addressed." His tone left no room for discussion. With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

Corey watched him leave; his brow furrowed. "There's something about him that's bugging me," he muttered.

"Not just you," Lucy and Byron said in unison.

Corey blinked at them, then chuckled. "Wow, twins."

Barnaby, oblivious to the tension, clapped his hands together. "Let's eat first. Then we can figure out the rest."

As they all dug into breakfast, outside the room Lucy's uncle was pacing. He tapped furiously on his phone, whispering harshly into it.

"Get it sorted now," he snapped, before stalking off toward his room.

Lucy found herself standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the trees beyond the estate.

"Maybe it’s not him," Corey said reluctantly, stepping up beside her. "Maybe it’s just... all of this."

Lucy tilted her head slightly, considering his words.

"The house is full of strangers," Corey continued. "We’ve got a private army here, two bodyguards, a tech genius, me, and God knows who else popping in and out. Maybe he’s just... uneasy."

"Maybe," Lucy said, but her tone suggested she wasn’t convinced.

Byron folded his arms across his chest "Or maybe he knows more than he lets on."

Barnaby appeared behind them, somehow managing to carry his laptop, three doughnuts, and a juice box at the same time.

"Guys," he said through a mouthful of jelly doughnut, "Paranoia is healthy at this point. Let’s not trust anyone unless they’re on our approved list."

"And who approved that list?" Corey asked dryly.

Barnaby grinned. "Me."

Lucy laughed softly, the tension easing just a fraction.

"We stay alert," she said finally. "But we don't jump the gun. Not yet."

The others nodded their agreement.

In the distance, thunder rumbled.

"Okay, I’m going to need about an hour to start figuring out where this key and card lead," he announced, standing up and stretching.

Corey immediately jumped to attention. "I’m staying with you. I’m going to embrace the fact that everyone is the enemy until further notice"

Barnaby shrugged. Lucy snorted, but inside she agreed. They couldn’t afford to make any mistakes now.

Corey turned to the rest of them. "You lot go do something normal. We'll holler if we need backup."

Barnaby and Corey headed toward his quarters. Lucy watched them disappear down the hallway before feeling a tug at her sleeve.

"Do you like the rain?" Byron’s voice was low and rough in her ear.

Lucy turned, blinking at him. "Why?"

His mouth quirked into a rare smile. "Follow me."