Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Fred

As we drove to Arnold Blessett's house in a large, luxurious—and no doubt, well-armored—SUV, my mind wandered. Zion's presentation proved one thing I'd been wondering this whole time: I wasn't the only target that night. Were Aine and Sean also on a list?

Whoever was behind this, they wanted to take out not just me but my bloodline…why?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vincenzo reading something on his tablet. With him not paying attention to me, I allowed myself a moment to really look at him.

He gained nothing by killing me. If he wanted to eliminate this treaty or whatever it was called, why would he attack me alone, knowing Haven Hart would retaliate? Not because they wanted to avenge me, but to not do so would be a sign of weakness.

No, it made no sense that Lex Talionis was behind this. I may have been a shit mob boss but my gut was what had kept me alive all these years, and to ignore that would be foolish.

I wanted to contact Simon and Rush about what had gone down here, but there hadn't been a good opportunity. Too many eyes and ears. I shot them text messages when several messages from them were going unanswered and threats of coming to see me lingered.

I couldn't have them here in the midst of this clusterfuck. I explained that it wouldn't be unreasonable if they showed up for the funerals and that I'd talk with them at that time. After assuring them I was protected, they relented.

"We're here," the driver—I found out his name was Thomas—said.

Gazing out the window at the house proved that Arnold Blessett was very much taken care of by his grandson. It was a gorgeous three-story, dark-blue, craftsman house. The lawn was well maintained, and it sat on close to an acre of land. It wasn't a mansion like mine, but it also wasn't something a man who worked as a train-stop janitor could afford.

"Let my people out first, Fred." Vincenzo held his hand up as soon as I made to open the door.

He was right and I had to be safe, but I also didn't have to like it or let him know I agreed.

"You take care of your own safety."

He rolled his eyes but said nothing more, which was almost as irritating. As though he were above verbal sparring. As if he thought of me as beneath him. Believe me, that wasn't something I was unfamiliar with.

All my life, people had been sniffing at my presence. I was an abomination to my father, my mother was never present even when she was physically there, and then there were people like Rush's dad. Men who saw through the mask I put on and used it to their advantage.

Rushmore Abernathy the Second had gotten great pleasure in using my mind, body, and spirit to direct me where he wanted me. I hated how much I'd loved the sex with that man, but after the dust had settled and I'd seen that he was no different than anyone else who came into my life, I'd been sick for weeks.

Rush, his son, had every reason to hate me but instead chose to forgive me and pull me into the fold…yet I still felt like I was standing on the sidelines with him and all of Haven Hart.

"It's safe to get out," Zion said once he opened the door.

Vincenzo slipped out, followed by Aiden and me. Zion took up the rear, and I was cased in. I snorted at how ridiculous this must look, but Vincenzo faced me before I could say anything.

"I am here as a bodyguard for you. All of Lex Talionis are."

"Wait, what." I grabbed his arm, stopping him from moving. "Why are you telling me this now when we had an entire car ride to talk?"

"Because you'd ask questions and argue."

"That's bullshit. I wouldn't argue and I'd likely understand, but seriously, why can't anyone know?"

He snorted. "See? Questions. We can talk about this later. For now, you lead the charge."

"Fine." I sighed and we reached the porch.

Eden was in the lead and rang the doorbell. We only had to wait a beat until the door opened and a man who appeared to be in his late seventies stood in front of us.

His eyes widened as he took in everyone on his porch. Along with me, Aiden, Vincenzo, Zion, and Eden, Thomas was at the SUV, and there was another parked behind him and four other Lex Talionis on the property.

"Can I, uh, help you?"

I had to be the one to speak, and I really wished we'd had a rehearsal on this and Vincenzo the douche hadn't sprung it on me.

"Are you Arnold Blessett?"

He chuckled nervously. "I'm not sure I want to answer that."

I hummed. "Yes, understandable. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fred Brennan…" I was glad when he blanched—he was well aware of who I was. "Everyone else you see here is for my protection."

"Protection?" His brow creased. "From what?"

"Perhaps we can take this conversation inside."

He peeked behind himself, then to me. "Are…well, I don't want no trouble."

"I suggest you let me enter, Mr. Blessett, and hopefully we can make your dream a reality."

I couldn't tell for sure what was rattling around in the old man's head but a few seconds later he indeed stepped aside, and we all made our way in.

His home was fully furnished, clean, and one glance at the artwork, interior design, and the elderly man in nice clothes, told the tale that he was absolutely taken care of.

"Nice home." I smirked.

"Thanks…my grandson takes good care of me." He walked to the living room and I followed.

"I bet Richie does."

Arnold's steps faltered, but he gripped the side of the couch and sat before he fell completely.

"You know my Richie?"

I sat on the couch adjacent to him. "It's why I'm here, Arnold…may I call you Arnold?" He nodded. "See, the other night someone tried to gun me down and did in fact kill two of my family in the process."

His eyes widened. "What?" His head swiveled this way and that, gaping at every person who now crowded the room. "You think Richie did it?"

"Thing is, Arnold, it was your SUV that was abandoned a few blocks from where the shots were fired, and bullet casings matching those that killed my family were with it."

"My SUV?"

I nodded. "Did you not notice your vehicle missing?"

His face twitched but he seemed more confused than scared. "No, I mean, my SUV?"

My eyes flicked to Vincenzo, who stood directly behind Arnold, his head cocked.

"Yes, Arnold. Your SUV. Can I ask you if it was stolen or?—"

"No, I mean, I don't own an SUV. I don't own any vehicles. I can't drive. I used to many years ago, but as I got older I couldn't see in the dark anymore. I get transportation through the community program, and Richie is here every weekend to help me run errands."

"The SUV found was registered to you. Did the police not come talk to you?"

He shook his head. "I just got home this morning. I was away visiting my sister in Wyoming. No one has reached out to me. I'm sorry, Mr. Brennan, I'm very confused."

I sat back on the couch and worried my lip. "Appears we both are, Arnold."