Chapter 15 TEETERING SILENCE
Nancy's POV
When Brianna hugged me, I just leaned into her, refusing to let the tears fall.
"It's okay, Nancy. I just want you to know you're not alone in this," she said softly.
"I'd follow you to London in a heartbeat if I were in a better position. But since I can't, I'm going to find you the best lawyer there is-someone who will stand beside you if those people ever dare take this to court."
All I could do was nod in response. Her words meant the world, but they couldn't silence the fear still gnawing at me from the inside.
The Lennoxs weren't just any family to go up against in court.
They had the kind of power that could bury us with a single trial.
I could already see the nightmare unfolding in my mind-until something suddenly bumped me, snapping me out of it.
It took a moment before I realized it was coming from Brianna's big baby bump-the one I had been leaning on.
"See? Even the baby's trying to comfort you," Brianna smiled,
then took my hand and placed it gently on her belly where the baby was kicking nonstop.
That simple gesture brought an unexpected smile to my face.
"He or she is going to come out strong... just like their mum and dad," I said quietly, squeezing her hand as she reached out and wiped away the tears I hadn't even noticed were clinging to my cheeks.
"And I want you to remain strong too," she said, her eyes filled with sincerity.
"I know all of this feels overwhelming right now, but please... stay strong for me."
I nodded slowly, brushing the remaining tears from my lashes.
"I'm so sorry, but you and Dax will have to carry on with the case," I said, glancing at her belly.
"Even though I still don't understand why the hell you're working when you're supposed to be resting. You're in your last trimester, Brianna!"
As expected, she just shrugged her shoulders like it was no big deal.
"You worry too much, Nancy. Besides, I work from home. That's practically the same thing as being on leave," she said, waving it off with a chuckle.
Was she serious? Who on earth calls staring at a computer screen all day-piecing together clues, analyzing crime scene reports, and even going as far as visiting actual crime scenes-a leave?
"I don't know what to do with you," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head hopelessly.
"Are you and Dax still sticking to your crazy plan of not checking the baby's gender until delivery?" I asked, still baffled by how they were holding on to that decision.
"You bet we are! And I am going to win," she grinned.
"Do you think I should have him buy me a house? No-wait, an island!"
I couldn't help but giggle as I watched her fantasize aloud about what she would make Dax do if the baby turned out to be a boy.
Somehow, that silly moment-her lighthearted joy-eased some of the chaos spiraling in my mind.
\---
Jaxon's POV
I was almost done for the day when my phone rang, and the caller ID flashed the name of someone whose call I had been expecting all day.
"Hello, son. Have you heard the news!?"
His voice rang with excitement-the kind that always meant he was up to something, something that would benefit him more than anyone else.
"What news?" I asked, keeping my voice calm, laced with just the right amount of disinterest.
I hated it when he called me son-he wasn't my father, and he damn well knew it.
"The Shadows. They arrived today, and they'll be staying at your hotel, Brentmere. You know what to do."
And just like that, the line went dead.
Why do I always have to deal with those troublemaking thugs every damn time they're in town?
A deep sigh slipped from my lips as I picked up my phone and dialed a number.
"Dismiss the regular workers and send in the VIP private staff to attend to our guests.
Keep the hotel fully booked until they're gone," I instructed sharply.
"Yes, sir," the woman on the other end replied, and I ended the call.
I swear, if those idiots so much as scratch a tile in my hotel, I'm going to make them pay.
I tossed my phone aside and ran a hand through my hair, frustration building inside me like a ticking bomb.
When a soft knock came on the door, I assumed it was my secretary. But when Troy walked in, I wasn't surprised.
His usual frown was etched deeper than normal-the kind he wore when something was definitely off.
And he wasn't alone.
He held a document in his hand, which he placed in front of me without a word.
"I assume you've heard about the Shadows?" he asked, voice grim.
"They're the least of my problems right now," I replied coolly.
"How's the surveillance on the witch going?" I asked, opening the file and slipping on my reading glasses.
"She's just been meeting friends-probably informing them she's back in town. Nothing suspicious so far."
But the contents of the file instantly pulled my attention.
My father was buying a house in Hollowmere.
Not just any house-the one I had been eyeing for months now.
The house where someone I've grown increasingly curious about lives.
"Why would your dad suddenly want to buy that house right after his wife-or should I say the witch-returns to town?" Troy asked, taking the seat beside me.
That was exactly the question.
Why would he invest in Hollowmere?
That city had always been off-limits for us-a place we never considered for expansion or residency.
"I'm going to see him," I said, folding the file and slipping it into my suitcase.
"I assume Boss called you about the Shadows being in town?" Troy asked.
I let out a tired sigh.
"You do know Brentmere is right behind Hollowmere?" he added, watching me carefully.
"So?" I replied, even though I already knew where he was going with this.
"You really don't want to be crossing paths with Scorpion. And you know why," Troy said, the warning clear in his tone.
"And why the hell not? I don't owe him anything. Matter of fact, he should be the one avoiding me," I growled, standing as I grabbed my suitcase.
"Where are you going?" Troy asked as he followed me out.
"To see my father," I said, my tone sharp.
"I need to get that land under my name immediately. If he refuses... then he knows something, and I'll make damn sure I find out what.
But first, I'm getting that land."
We both stepped into the elevator, silence thick between us.
Whatever was going on, I was going to get to the bottom of it-one way or another.