Page 64 of Breached

“Uneventful.”

I gave her a confused look at her choice of words, but before I could ask, Dr. Roberts stood and tapped his glass to get our attention.

“Please excuse this interruption, everyone, but I have something important that needs to be said.” He waited for us all to look his way. “First, my apologies to Nicole for how Dr. Bash behaved today.”

Instinctively, my hand landed on her thigh, and I searched her face as immediate anger filled me.

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

“I take pride in who I bring into this house,” Doc Roberts continued, “and I truly thought Dr. Bash was ready to tackle Team Blackstone. I’m truly sorry for what happened, Nicole. He was obviously not ready for the challenges of the house.”

“What did you talk about?” I whispered.

“Paul, shh.” She shook her head, and I pressed my lips tightly together. I didn’t like being out of the loop. “I’m fine, Dr. Roberts,” Nicole said clearly and smiled around at everyone.

He nodded and ran his hand down his tie. “That said, because of his actions, he’s been relieved of his position here and will not be returning to Shadows.”

I glanced at John and signed that I was more than pleased with that decision.

“Once,” Dr. Roberts cut me a side glance, “things are settled here, and I pray everything will somehow be returned to normal, I’ll have a replacement for him. I do believe the person I have in mind will be a good fit for the house.” This time he looked directly at me, driving his point home. “I do hope you will all treat this person with a little more warmth than Dr. Bash.”

I tapped the table as I thought then decided to speak up. “I feel it’s only fair to point out that there is a way to approach men like us and there’s a way not to.” Some of the guys nodded. “Ivy figured it out quickly,” I added.

“And what way is that?” Nicole cut in, directing her words to Ivy.

“You can’t give them any room for bullshit and grab them by the balls when they do.” Ivy grinned, making the entire room break out in laughter.

“See,” I pointed to Ivy and looked at Dr. Roberts, “Dr. Bash was entirely too timid. We need someone more assertive, someone who can find a way to fit into our lives, but demand respect.”

“Fair enough.” He nodded then settled back into his seat. I flexed my hand on Nicole’s leg to get her attention.

“So, what happened?” What did that asshole do?

“Sorry, client-patient confidentiality.” She grinned and turned to her meal.

This woman is going to kill me.

We ate and tried to keep the conversation light, but the heaviness of what hung over us was like thick smoke in the room, clinging to the mood, weighing it down whenever someone tried to laugh or smile.

Catalina was the first one to break. “Can we just address the one topic were all trying to avoid?” Mike draped an arm around the back of her chair. “I get it. I hate it, too, but guys, I can barely eat thinking this could be one of our last meals in our home.”

Mia reached over and held her hand. “I know.”

“Cole,” Savannah dried the corner of her eye with her napkin, “can we go over it one more time? Just the basics.”

“Of course.” Cole looked around the table. “Tomorrow morning, the first round will leave. That’s you,” he smiled at Catalina, “Mia, all the kids, except Olivia and Brandon. Chamness, Quinn, Davie, and Dell will escort you all to Zack’s where team Eagle Eye will meet you and transport you all to Wolf Point. You’ll wait there until Olivia and Brandon arrive with Savi and Ivy a few hours later. That way you will all make your way to Washington together.

“The dogs have already been dropped off with Zack. The horses have been transported to Mom and Dad’s friends outside of Redstone.” He looked around the table, and his glance landed on Doc Roberts. “Sloane, Nicole, and Doc Roberts will leave with Chamness, Davie, Quinn, and Dell two days later on the fifteenth. They will eventually meet you all at the safehouse in Washington. They’ll be taking a roundabout route, staying a couple of days at a ski lodge owned by Zack’s friend in Deer Pine. That’s just to assure me that if anyone follows them, it won’t lead to any of you.”

I leaned over to whisper for only Nicole to hear. “For the record, I still don’t like you’re with the last group out.”

“Yes, well, Bruno needs to be sure I’m here, and I’m the only one with a mark on my back, so I would have refused to ride with the kids, anyway.” I reluctantly nodded because I knew she was right.

“After that,” Cole continued, “we’ll do what we do best, fight to win, and by the end of the week, we’ll be right back here having a big feast, safe and sound.” He took Savi’s hand and kissed her knuckles.

“I need some air.” Cat excused herself from the table, and the silence took over. It was almost deafening. Even the staff were silent in the kitchen. I was sure the mood could be felt as far away as The Peak.

Keith looked around the table. “Maybe it’s best we just turn in for the night.”