Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“I don’t want soldiers, you—”
“That’s too bad,” I cut her off. “Sit tight. I’ll call you back once I’m at the house.”
“You don’t get to decide that Cassian.”
I bite back my words because I do. He’s my nephew. He’s my brother’s son. And she would have been his wife. I’m not going to leave them unprotected. Shit, the fact that I have this long was just stupid. “We’ll talk after, Vivi. Let me get this handled.”
“Fine.”
“Call me back if you need anything.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“I always am.” I disconnect the call and look out the window thinking who it could have been. There are any number of options. Shit. When we pull up to the house almost an hour later, two soldiers climb out of their car to greet us. I walk up to the front door, two men flanking me, more joining the others already out back.
Vivi’s mother’s house is on a quiet street of mostly nondescript homes. It’s a two-story colonial, well maintained, ordinary. I don’t miss the heads that pop up at the windows of nosy neighbors. I don’t pay attention. Instead, I walk into the house not sure what I’m expecting.
The house is neat, as usual. Soldiers split up to begin a search although I don’t think there would be anyone here.
I see Gage’s little backpack discarded by the door. A few toys left on the stairs. I walk into the kitchen where the smell of burnt coffee permeates. I see the package on the kitchen table as I cross the room to switch off the coffee machine.
The box is from a toy store in town. I recognize it because I’ve bought Gage toys from there. Tissue paper in pastel colors looks like cotton candy, but at the center of the package sits the revolver. I pick it up, open the chamber and remove the single bullet. I put it in my pocket and look at the gun. The serial number is filed off, but not well, like it wasn’t meant to be scratched off at all. I can almost make it out, which is unexpected. I put it back into the box, close the paper around it then put the lid back on.
A soldier enters to tell me the house is clear.
I take my phone out to call Angelo.
“Cassian, what’s going on?” he asks.
“What’s the status of the soldiers?”
“They should be parking outside the café now. Yes, I have confirmation. Two are at Vivi’s house and you should have seen the other two when you got to her mother’s house.”
“They’re here. Thank you. The house is clear, but I want soldiers here and at Vivi’s. I’m going to see her now and I’m going to send you a photo of a partially filed off serial number. It’s still legible.”
“Calling card?”
“Maybe. Find out who the gun is registered to. Do it quickly.”
“I will. I’ll do it before heading to AC.”
“AC?”
“Atlantic City.”
“Oh. Shit the charity.”
“You’re not attending.”
“Not planning to.”
“No worries. Let me go find out who sent that gun. And good call to get soldiers to Vivi.”
He knows she doesn’t want protection. “Should have done it a while back.”
“I’ll send whatever information I find right away.”
We disconnect and I climb into the SUV. I unpack the box, pull the tissue paper away and snap a photo of the serial number. I send it to Angelo as we head to the café.
The café is only a few minutes away and I see Vivi looking anxiously out the window from their booth as we pull into the lot. The soldiers stand by the SUV because I’m drawing enough attention. We don’t need more.
The bell over the door chimes when I enter, and I notice how Vivi’s mom watches me from beneath her lashes even as she plays a game with Gage. She has made no secret of her dislike of our family, and I get it. I don’t hold it against her. If it wasn’t for Seth, Vivi would be safer. But if it wasn’t for Seth, there would be no Gage.
“Uncle Cass?” Gage says when he sees me, a smile stretching wide on his little face.
“Hey, Gage,” I say, forcing myself to smile as I pull him out of his seat and hug him.
He buries his face in my neck for a minute then shows me his toy which is a pink pony. Gage’s choice in toys is a relief to me. He’s young, I know, but I hope he grows up wanting to have nothing to do with guns.
“Who’s that?” I ask.
“Buddy.” He hugs the toy to his chest.
“Buddy, huh?” He names all his toys Buddy, and I exchange a look with Vivi, see how she smiles a little. She can’t hide what she’s truly feeling from me, though. I see her anxiety.
“Gage, let’s go see about that ice cream, shall we?” Vivi’s mother says, standing and taking Gage from me as quickly as she can.