“Your brother is in town,” he says when he gets to the door.
“I know.” I motion for him to come in.
“Carter.” My brother gives him a chin nod. Neither of them care for each other much. That’s because Ryan doesn't enjoy when he has a security detail. It’s a game to him to try and lose them when he has one assigned to him. One that makes Carter’s job harder.
“Ryan.” Carter gives one back before his attention comes back to me.
“What do you have?” I ask, wanting to get to the point. His eyes flick to Ryan and then back to me. It’s his way of silently asking me if it’s okay for Ryan to hear whatever he’s about to tell me. “Go on.”
“I threw out a wide net last week seeing if anyone put a hit on Kennedy.” My chest goes tight. Even the mention of that being a possibility has me wanting to tear this room apart in answer, but the last thing I want to do is scare my wife.
“And?” I push, wanting him to spit it out already.
“I gave the description of her and the name. Honestly I didn’t think I’d get anything back, but I wanted to make sure I covered all my bases. I was wrong.”
Ryan takes a step closer, intrigued by what Carter might have found out.
“Someone took the job, but it wasn't supposed to be a hit. They wanted her shaken up and warned to never speak badly about the Osborne family name again. The message was supposed to be for her to disappear or they’d make her permanently disappear.”
“Motherfucker.” My heart is pounding hard. My fists are clenched at my side. Carter keeps going. My blood boils more with each second that passes.
“A lot of people passed on the job because the person wanted to pay in three installments. One for the booking of the job, the second when it was all planned and ready to go, and the third when it was done.”
“I don’t give a fuck how they paid. I give a fuck about who ordered it.” I have a sinking feeling I already know who.
“It was the amount of the payments that got my attention. It was paid in thirds so no one would question a giant lump sum being pulled out all at once.”
He hands me a paper he’s holding. My family name is on the top. I recognize it from when Andrew was combing through the bank account. It’s a joint account I have set up for the family to use and pull from. Highlighted are three draws. I stare at the papers, not wanting it to be true.
“Let me see.” Ryan takes the paper from my hands.
“Fuck me. I didn’t think she’d go this far. I know Mom can be ruthless, but damn. She’s fucking pregnant with your child.”
I run my hand down my face, not sure what I’m going to do now. For one thing she’s fucking cut off. She’ll never be within a thousand yards of my wife again. All of this so she could maintain her stupid image. To protect the Osborne name like it’s even hers. She married into it, for Christ’s sake.
“Now what?” Carter asks, wanting to know what his next move should be.
“I need to talk to my wife first.” Cutting my mother's pocketbook off would be my choice. I know I told my father I’d watch out for her, but what she’s done is unforgivable. And not to mention criminal. It will be up to Kennedy if she wants to press charges.
“Talk to me about what?” I turn to see my wife standing there. Her cheeks are still pink from her shower. She only has one of my shirts on. Her feet are bare, and her nails are painted a soft pink.
“Can you give us a moment?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll get back on to the other stuff.” I give him a nod. His attention should be there for now.
“Wait.” Carter pauses at the door. “Keep your eyes out to see if she tries to book another one.” She could try again.
“Already done, sir.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure what the hell I would have done without Carter through all this shit. He’s going to need a raise and a long vacation when all this dust settles.
“My job, sir,” he says before he leaves out the door.
“Hey, Kennedy,” my brother says. “I’m guessing you don’t remember me from what Oz has told me. I’m Ryan.” He walks over, holding his hand out. She takes it, giving him a tentative smile. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” She puts her hand on her stomach when Ryan releases it from their handshake.
“I got another room here, so if you need something call me.”
“You sure you don’t need to get back to class?”
“Nah. All good. Wait. Are you guys heading out now?” Ryan asks. Kennedy tenses up at his question.