Dusk (Dangerous Web #1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,60

fucking get it because my wife is upstairs suffering first- and second-degree burns, dehydration, possible infection from the insect bites and various cuts and bruises on her hands and feet, with God knows what drugs in her system that may or may not be affecting my child. At this moment” —his hand went through his already-unruly hair— “I have to choose her.”

I nodded. “I understand.” I did. “My wife could be suffering all the same ailments. I, however, don’t have a child to worry about.” I turned to Patrick and Madeline, now standing together near the kitchen counter. “You two do. You have a child back in Chicago and one on the way. You should go back to Chicago too.”

Patrick stood taller, but before he commented, his blue-eyed gaze went to Madeline as he spoke to her. “He’s right.”

Instead of answering her husband, she took a few steps until she was right before me. “Ruby is safe. We know that. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

I reached for her hand and feigned a smile. I was about to say I was fine staying by myself. Her priority was to Ruby and the child she is carrying.

Before I could, Mason spoke, “He won’t be alone. Laurel and I are staying.”

“Laurel would be safer in Chicago,” Sparrow said. “We all have reason to believe she was the target.”

“We’ll keep five of the capos,” Mason said, not opening the subject up for discussion. “Reid and I have reconfigured the security. The satellite images are waiting. We’ll follow the leads we have.” He looked at his wife and forced a grin. “Doc is strong and smart. She’ll help us.”

“Laurel, the offer stands?” Sparrow asked.

Laurel reached for Mason’s arm. “I respectfully decline. First and foremost, my place is with Mason, and if he’s okay with me staying here and helping in any way to find Lorna, I will. Besides, I can run programs on Araneae’s toxicology screening and anything else you need from here.” Her smile bloomed. “And we both know that these two could use a hand.”

Sparrow’s gaze went to Mason’s who nodded. “Fine, Patrick, check in with Marianne. It will take her a couple hours to get the plane ready, get the crew together, and make it here. Let her know who will be on the flight. Also, I want Renita or someone Renita trusts with her life on the plane to fly back with us. Once we’re to Chicago, I’m fucking turning the tower into an obstetrics ward.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I believed I saw Madeline roll her eyes. When I turned toward her, she smiled and reached for Patrick’s arm. “I would have stayed.”

I poured more water in my glass. “Sometimes what’s best is not always the same for everyone. Honestly, I’ll feel better about you and little Reid being back in Chicago.”

Madeline’s eyes went to her husband.

“Shouldn’t we at least pretend his name is Patrick?” Patrick asked.

“We wouldn’t need to pretend at all if you’d tell us,” Laurel joked, easing a bit of the tension.

I lifted the glass of water as a bit of a toast. “Safe travels. We don’t need any other concerns. Please let us know when you’re back in Chicago and in the tower. Mason and I” —I looked at my sister-in-law— “and Laurel will be here, doing what we do best. Before you know it, we’ll be back in Chicago with Lorna.”

Sparrow took a step toward Mason and me. “I’m fucking holding you to that. I need you all back in Chicago.” His gaze went around the kitchen. “We all need you back.”

“If Araneae remembers anything...” I said.

“You’ll be the first one I call.”

Moving around the others, I made my way to the archway leading to the living room on my way to Mason and Laurel’s office. The sun shone beyond the large windows as if it was midday, but it wasn’t. Night was approaching. Dusk was near.

From the kitchen I heard Laurel ask Sparrow what she could get Araneae in the way of food or drink. My mind went to the satellite images, not listening for his answer.

Mason followed a step behind me. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t thought of the images, but he was right. We should be able to find video of Araneae being left near the property line. The satellite didn’t cut off at the end of the property. We could see for a few miles in all directions.

Mason and I were partway down the corridor,