JARED-1(Lane Brothers, Book 4)(29)

“So? What the fuck does that have to do with why Paulie left?” I yell, throwing Bronx a look to let him know I’d take him easy with all the rage I’m feeling right now.

“Paulie is Cleo’s proxy. They did it that way so that Paulie could never get free of the Patriots without risking prison, herself. She has to be there, and with her there she can help Roman if things go wrong.”

That is exactly what I’m afraid of, and I see Miah blanch and curse before turning to me.

The problem here has never been our lack of knowledge, I think, it’s just that with Roman we can never be sure. If he’s in and a part of the Patriots, Paulie could be walking into a trap.

“Fuck.”

“Where are they, Ronny?” Jace yells and I feel his anger splinter and course into me when she starts crying and shakes her head.

“I don’t know. She would never tell me because she wanted me protected.”





Chapter Nine


Paulette

I’m so scared and sad as I make my way through Dad’s garage and grab the keys to his Aston that it’s a struggle to get the keys in the lock without scratching the paint work all to hell, when my shaking hands refuse to cooperate.

I have every right to be nervous, I tell my snarling inner voice when I finally get the key into the lock and wrench the door open silently. I’m risking a lot here, but I had to come back and leave Jared at least one clue if things go bad and I don’t get back to him.

He won’t come looking here for a while, and I just hope that by the time he does I’m far enough away for them not to catch up before I can do what I need to do.

I’m no dummy. I know that they’ll go to Ronny first, and that’s why I mentioned her in the letter to begin with. They’ll waste precious time questioning her, but since she doesn’t really know much it won’t do any good.

Jared’s smart, though, so I know it’s only a matter of time before he ends up here with Mom and Dad and the evidence and note under the floorboards. I have a plan B, albeit a very risky one, to say the least.

I need to do this, and not just for Jared or me, like I said in the letter, but for Roman and Ellie and every other Lane who has suffered thanks to Lynn and her bright ideas.

As businesses go, the Patriots are a money maker, so big ups to Lynn for seeing that and capitalizing. The problem with that is that she’s running a terrorist group within US borders, and she’s using her power to hurt the people I love.

I can’t let this continue, not with the threat of Cleo waking up any day now. She’ll know exactly who drugged her, of that I am very sure, and I’m praying that I’ll have the organization crumbled to dust before that happens, or I can basically start picking out my own coffin.

I do not want death anymore, not now that I have Jared and an entire family to turn to. I would have skipped this part, I think morosely as I start the engine and back up slowly, praying not to be heard, but the thing is that Ronny’s message was lot more detailed than I let on.

Lynn is out and free, something the Lanes will find out soon enough. With her back at the helm, we’re all pretty much screwed. The woman is that intelligent and crafty.

With her here, the Patriots will go underground again and we won’t stand a chance at catching them, not with Williams and that SEAL commander helping.

I need to get to that meeting and cast my vote, one that counts for double, one that could break the deadlock and maybe save Roman Lane.

I’m praying that he isn’t the issue on the table, I really am, but if he is then the chances of him getting out are slim. And so are mine. At least they are unless I manage to get Clyde onboard with my plans, using the leverage I have on him to sway the asshole.

I’d really rather not even breathe the same air as that pig, but right now I have no choice.

As the car rolls down the driveway with no one aware of my presence, I hit the gas and pray that I get to that meeting on time and that I’m not headed for a trap as Ronny seems to believe I am.

There’s only one way to find out, and as I dial my sister’s number, I pray this is not the last time I hear her voice.

“Paulie.”

“Take your family and get out, now.”

That’s all I say before ending the call and tossing the phone out the window, my foot pushing the gas down hard enough to hit the floorboards.

I’ve always loved Dad’s Aston and dream of getting one one day soon. If I live.

My fingers cross over the steering wheel and I giggle at the thought of just how I can gain Jared’s forgiveness. Maybe I can finally put all of Ronny’s unwanted and yet nonstop sex advice to good use and see if I’m the pupil I always thought I was.