“I just wanted to let you know that I’ve successfully been able to track his car. I know where he’s staying,” she said, smiling wide.
“You’re brilliant, Pixel. We’re headed back now. Have everyone gather in the meeting room. It’s time to strike.”
“You got it!” she said before the screen blinked off.
We turned toward one another, and the earlier hysteria returned, Atticus joining in this time, tipping me over more. The car filled with the sound of our laughter, and I relished the moment. We needed more of this. Where we could remember there was more to life than corrupt fathers, jealous mothers, and greedy men wanting more than their share.
Once we’d wiped our eyes, Atticus drove us the rest of the way at the speed limit. It explained how he’d gotten there so quickly if he had Pixel changing lights or something. I decided not to ask. Some things were better left to the imagination regarding the mafia.
* * *
Twenty minutes later,I found myself seated around the table that had become a necessary part of my day. Every morning and sometimes afternoons, we gathered and gave an update. It felt nice to have these meetings and keep everyone abreast of the situation.
Sax, Nicco, and Wells were present this afternoon when we walked in. Topher was already along the wall, nodding to me when we entered, having driven the car back without any parking lot stops. A few other guards and men I was still learning the names of filled the rest of the table.
Pixel sat in her regular seat, a computer screen in front of her. She’d become such a constant presence here that I was beginning to feel like I should make more of an effort to get to know her better. Everyone seemed to only use her for her tech genius, and I could see how she could fade into the background at times, despite her loud colors and personality. People tended to only talk to her when they needed something.
She poked her head up, catching me staring at her. Pixel blinked, smiling. “You need something, hot stuff?”
Laughing, I shook my head, focusing back on what Atticus was saying. I decided I’d catch her later and make her do something with the girls.
“We’ve been able to track Dayton’s car to where he’s staying in the city. This gives us two options. Do we try to overtake the compound with him in the city, or do we strike his place here and send him back to the suburbs?”
“Which would give us the best strategic advantage?” someone asked, and I thought it over.
“I think the better question is, what does your father expect you to do? He’s always thinking a few steps ahead, and who’s to say this wasn’t a setup to get us to fall into a trap. So, which option is he expecting, and which one would actually give us the leverage or advantage?”
The room was quiet as everyone considered what I said. “You make a good point, Loren. Perhaps, the better option is to strike out against an area he’d never think we’d go for.”
My phone buzzed on the table, pulling my focus from the room. Seeing the caller, I motioned to take it out in the hall.
Once I was clear, I hit answer and pulled it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hello, is this Mrs. Carter?”
“No, this is Mrs. Mascro.”
“Oh, apologies. I, um, well,” the voice said, stumbling. I knew what they meant, though, so I took mercy on them. It wasn’t their fault they had to make this call.
“I was Mrs. Carter before I remarried. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Oh, yes, um, well.” The person cleared their throat, clearly nervous. “We need you to come down to the police station. It seems your ex-husband was murdered, and they need you to identify the body.”
“Murdered? Are you sure? What happened?” I asked, attempting to sound like I was shocked.
“He was found at a club called Evolve, the details of his death are still being investigated, but they need someone to identify who he is to start their investigation.”
“Why me? There isn’t anyone else? We divorced over three years ago.”
“You were listed as the emergency contact on his medical information. Do you know of someone else I should call?”
Sighing, I rubbed my forehead. “No. It’s fine. I’ll do it. Which station?”
I knew I needed to do this, but the thought of having to go through it had all the energy draining from me. Thinking of Brian dying and actually seeing his body were two different things. I hung up once she told me the address, and I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes.
“Everything okay, Spitfire?”
I opened my eyes to find Sax standing in front of me. “They want me to claim Brian’s body,” I said with no emotion.