Jules’s gaze follows him. “That dude is really fucking quiet.”
“Probably safer to be known for being silent if you’re around Mount all the time.” I glance toward the hallway where Jules and Trey have rooms. “You guys almost ready?”
Trey walks into the kitchen with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder and a hard case for his computer equipment in hand. “I don’t know about Jules, but I am.”
“My bags are already in the SUV. I’ll take yours and Magnolia’s out as soon as you’re ready.”
I clasp his shoulder as Trey heads outside. “Thanks, man. And about earlier ...” I trail off, thinking of Jules’s face when he followed my yell into the room where I found Desiree. “You okay?”
His expression is somber. “Fuck, man. That ... that was bad shit. I feel like I should make the fucking sign of the cross every time I think about it.”
“I know. You need to talk, you let me know, okay? We’re gonna find this fucker.”
Slowly, his head bobs up and down. “Fuck yeah, we are. No man should be allowed to live after doing that to a woman.”
I swallow the acid rising in my throat and pull him in for a quick backslapping hug. “Fucking right, brother. You’re so fucking right.”
When I release him, his expression is determined, which is exactly how I feel.
“I’ll go see if Mags is done and grab my bags,” I tell him. “You drive the SUV. I’ll take the Rolls. After we get there, the keys all go to V. Mount’s got a place for them. Don’t leave anything here. We may not be coming back.”
“Got it. And I’m set, but I’ll give Trey’s room another look. Fucker always forgets some cord somewhere.” As much shit as he gives Trey, they’re like brothers, and I’m glad that they’ll hang close when we arrive at Mount’s.
No one should be alone after witnessing what we did today.
We break apart, and I retrace my steps to the bedroom where Magnolia is zipping her second suitcase closed. “All done?”
She turns to see me standing in the doorway. “Yeah. I’m getting good at packing this shit quick. Good thing I travel light these days.”
I hate what this is doing to her, but it only fuels me to see it through to the end. “Not for much longer, mama. We’re going to get through this, and then we’ll settle down somewhere for a good long while.”
A ghost of a smile flickers over her lips. “That sounds like a fantasy at this point.”
“It will be. Just you wait. If you’re ready, I’ll take your bags, and Jules will load them up. V’s here, and we’re ready to rock.”
She takes another slow, shaky breath and releases it. One more sign of how much this shit is eating her alive, and I’m fucking over it. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Fifteen
Magnolia
Coming in through one of the family entrances at Mount and Keira’s isn’t exactly new to me, but I’ve never come with so much baggage before. And I’m not just talking about luggage.
Thoughts of Desiree and the sharp stabs of grief are with me every step we take through the twisting and turning corridors until we come to a hallway carpeted in black, white, and gold.
Keira rushes toward me as soon as my feet sink into the plush nap. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, flinging her arms around me and squeezing me tight in a hug. “I’m so damn sorry, Mags. I can’t believe this is happening, but we’ll fix it. I told Lachlan I don’t care what strings he has to pull or favors he has to call in. Whoever this person is has to be stopped, likeyesterday.”
I return her hug, taking the comfort she’s offering. “Thank you, Ke-ke. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She pulls back, still holding on to me, and offers me a small smile. “And I don’t know what I’d be doing with my life right now if not for you. I’d say we’re pretty damn even.”
The fact that my best friend is thanking me for meddling in her life the way I did goes to show I don’t know how to do friendships the normal way. Thank God Keira doesn’t know how to either.
“Let me show you your rooms. If you need anything at all, you can pick up the house phone and hit zero. Don’t be afraid to ask. We literally have twenty people running around here taking care of this place, and they’re all willing and more than happy to help.”
She leads us to a set of tall white-and-gold double doors and opens them. Moses and I follow her inside and, I swear, it’s like entering a luxury hotel. Everything is black, gold, and white, and Keira points out the amenities.
“The fridge is fully stocked with liquor, beer, wine, soda, water, whatever you need. The kitchen is on standby to prepare whatever you would like. Anytime, night or day. Again, just hit zero, and someone will take your order and bring it to you.” She looks around me to Trey and Jules. “Your rooms are going to be just down the hall. They’re much like this one. Just give me one second, and I’ll show them to you.”