IWAKEUPIN my bed. As soundly and comfortably as I slept, I can’t help feeling unsettled that I was moved to a whole different house and didn’t wake up.
Freshly showered and throwing on an outfit, I know I have to deal with my brother and father about last night. Donovan will lose his mind over my stepping back from the mission. Hopefully, we can settle my father's secrets when he comes down from his power trip.
The mansion is quiet for the late morning. It seems to be quieter than usual recently, but I suspect that’s from all the tension buzzing in the air.
I find Dad where I expect him to be, sitting behind his enormous oak desk, on a call. He jerks his chin for me to sit when I enter without knocking.
“I will have someone we trust to fly with her,” Dad says to the person on the other end. “The poor girl probably has never been on a plane before, and I don’t think it’s in your best interest to show up here just yet.”
Dad watches me as he speaks, and I raise a questioning eyebrow. Obviously, he’s talking about the kid, but I’m curious who he found willing to take her so quickly. He shakes his head, silencing me before I can interrupt him.
“We will see you in a few weeks for the ball, Banagher.” Dad hangs up the phone and drops it on his desk.
He sighs and steeples his hands together, letting me process who is giving Brooke a home.
The fucking Byrnes.
My eyes narrow into slits, and Dad raises a finger before I can go off.
“She will not be raised with Caine, Malia.”
My dad’s tone is stern, holding a warning for me to shut up and listen before I react. My mouth snaps shut, and a near growl rumbles in my chest at the situation, but he dips his head in appreciation for me not speaking up.
“You don’t have to like it, but they’re good people.”
“That’s fucking subjective,” I snap.
“Banagher has a man who works for him with a wife who cannot bear children,” he says. “They were already considering adoption. Ban saw it as an opportunity for someone who is dear to him and, given the circumstances, things happened rather quickly.”
“I’d say,” I mumble.
“Brooke will fly out tonight. Oren isn’t a babysitter, and he will be expected to show up for the FBI come Monday. The sooner this happens, the better.” He eyes me, gauging my response. I purse my lips, not liking that the kid will be raised around Caine’s men.
“Whatever.”
“Want to explain to me what happened yesterday?” He raises his eyebrow at me the same way I do him. “You’re not a quitter, baby girl, so want to tell me what happened?”
“You think I’m going to talk about what’s going on with me when you won’t tell me your secrets?”
Dad snorts.
“You’re on a need-to-know basis, and you don’t need to know. I’m tired of having this conversation with you, Malia. I won’t entertain your assumptions about me and this mission.”
He stops short when Donovan strides in and plops down in the chair next to me. Donovan’s eyes cut to mine, trying to read the situation. The air is thick with tension, and he can sense I’m about to fly off the rails.
So much for keeping the anger at bay.
“Malia has stepped away from the mission,” Dad says to Donovan.
My brother’s eyebrows fly up to his hairline, but he keeps quiet.
“She no longer feels it is in her best interest to carry on.”
“Didn’t know we gave options,” my brother quips. “Also, didn’t know Olins quit when shit got tough.”
My hand flies through the air and bounces off Donovan’s nose. A resounding crack follows, playing like a symphony in my ear. Blood spatters, and my brother quickly throws his head back to stave off the bleeding. Dad tosses him some tissues and turns to me.
I puff out my cheeks, suddenly feeling immensely better.