Jason’s statement sent fire through my veins—so much so I didn’t take into account he was her brother when I halted and faced him.
“No, Jason. You don’t know her, and the fact that you see her as some weak little girl is the first clue. The fact that shit has gone on in her life—big shit, bad shit, shit that you don’t know about—is a huge, flashing neon sign that you don’t know her at all. I get you got a wife with a kid on the way, and before that you had heavy shit going on losing Kayla the way you did. But it’s no fucking excuse.”
Jason flinched, then full of bravado returned, “Nothing—”
“Keep telling yourself that. Whatever makes you rest easy, man. Keep on lying to yourself that Addy’s lived a perfect, charmed life and nothing’s touched her. Keep on thinking she’s some soft, weak, woman who needs her big brother to step in and protect her. Oh, wait, she did need that—twice —and where were you then? Not fucking there, that’s where. To end this, you got some brass balls coming at me with this bullshit because if you knew your sister even a little bit, you’d know she’s damn well strong enough to survive any damn thing that comes her way.”
That time when I turned away I didn’t stop, even though Jason called my name. I had shit to do and a class to get ready to teach.
Time would tell how pissed Addy would be when Jason went to her and questioned her about what I’d said. That, I would have to figure out a way to smooth out.
“Got a minute?” Carter called as he walked into the shoot house.
My class had ended and the last officer to leave had barely cleared the door.
No, I didn’t have a minute. I didn’t have one more second to give to another man who was important to Addy to give me a rash of shit. Most especially not Carter. Jason giving me hell stung, Jasper not wanting me near his daughter was expected but still hurt. Carter? If he warned me off, it would fucking slice to the bone.
But instead, I said, “Sure. What’s going on?”
“Got the footage for the café,” he started.
Well, fuck, that grabbed my attention.
“Audio and visual?”
“No. Though, I didn’t need audio to confirm what you’d laid out—not that I needed confirmation at all. I believed—”
“I get it,” I rushed out. “Anything useful?”
“Not in the sense we learned something new. But it might be helpful for Jasper to have when he approaches the general.”
“Is he going to Wick?”
General Wick was a close friend of the Walker, Lenox, Clark, and McCoy families. He was also in charge of Liberty McCoy’s unit. He was a good ally, however, he was also by-the-book. I couldn’t see how he’d be of any use in this scenario.
“No. General Pickett.”
“Never heard of him.”
“Neither have I. Jasper knows of him, but has never had any contact. He has a meeting set up with him today.”
It was interesting Jasper would meet with a man he didn’t know.
“Is there a reason Jasper’s showing his hand? Doesn’t seem like something he’d do. I’d keep this close and find someone we can trust. Pickett’s gonna hide behind operational security and likely go straight to Belview.”
Carter nodded and smiled. “I think that’s what he wants.”
“Yeah, not tracking that play. It could backfire, piss off Belview, and make him come after Addy thinking she’s causing problems for him.”
“She’ll be covered.”
“Damn right, she will be. But I still don’t like my woman’s ass getting swung out there. I was in this guy’s presence for five minutes and I’m telling you, I don’t want him having the upper hand. And if he knows we’re poking around, especially Jasper, he’ll be moved to strike.”
“In my opinion, that’s what Jasper wants.”
It was then I understood Jasper’s play. It was also then that I lost my fucking mind.
“Are you fucking serious?” I roared.
“Trey—”
“Fuck that. He’s more worried about his daughter living with me than he is about playing this smart and in a way that will actually fucking protect her.”
“I think he just wants this done for her.” Carter tried for placating but it came out as conciliatory.
Fuck that!
“He wants it done, all right. And his impatience and desire to get Addy out of my fucking house is gonna backfire. And when it does, I’m telling you, Carter, I’m gonna lose my motherfucking shit.