Ch22 Plan Pt2
Connor didn’t stay long when he collected me from Slater’s place. Concern was evident in his frowning features when he first saw me. I gave him the same brief explanation that I had to Slater and Jordan.
“We can discuss the all in more detail tomorrow,” Connor said as he had bundled me to the car. Jeff followed. He was to keep to his word to keep an eye on me for Sin.
I watched without seeing as we were driven home. No demanding answers. It was like he understood I didn’t have it in me to explain. It had all been too much. The constant stress of Mack’s constant watching.
When we got back to his hotel, Jeff insisted on remaining outside to guard me. I didn’t even have the energy to resist Connor’s fussing. I let him put me to bed and tuck me under the cover. For once, I needed this more than any independence I had fought so strongly for.
“If you need anything let me know,” he said before he pressed a kiss to my cheek.
I nodded. He stood and switched off my light. I watched as he closed my door quietly.
For a while I lay staring into the darkness. I couldn’t stop thoughts of Sin and his situation keep from swirling in my mind. Around and around. I had no idea how we were going to get out of this. I had no solution and what scared me more was that Slater and Jeff didn’t have any real solutions either.
If there was no way to stop Mack, Sin would have to marry Sienna. The thought took my breath away. I placed a hand on my stomach. I felt so hopeless. Thee was nothing I could do and hated the feeling.
At some point I drifted off to sleep. I was plagued by nightmares of Sin. Eventually, even though it was still dark I got up and went to the living area to sit down on the sofa. I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin on them.
“You okay?”
It was Connor.
I didn’t look back at him. “I can’t sleep.”
Connor sat down by me.
“You have a lot on your mind.”
I nodded. “I can’t see a way out of this Connor. And the scares me.”
“We will find a way Taylor.”
Connor was the fix it kind. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. But I doubted that he would figure out a way to fix this situation.
I wanted to believe there was a way.
All I wanted was a quiet life with Sin and our baby. But nothing ever seemed to come easy with us. We had to fight for every bit of happiness we had ever experienced. I sighed, feeling tired and emotionally drained.
Connor reached out to squeeze my shoulder. “You need to get some sleep.”
“I know,” I murmured.
He put an arm around me and I leaned into him. Resting my head against his shoulder.
In the quiet Connor sat with me.
The next thing I woke up with a start, trying to get my bearings. I was lying on the sofa with a blanket over me. I shoved my hair out of my face as I blinked.
I lay for a moment before my stomach rolled. It was a reminder of my pregnancy. I got up and went to the bathroom. I put a cool facecloth to my face and gave a shuddering breath. Trapped was what I felt like. No way out.
My future was sliding through my fingers like grains of sand and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I dragged myself through a shower and a change of clothes before leaving my room.
Connor was nursing a cup of coffee.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’ve felt better.” I sat down across from him.
“I ordered some stuff for you.” He set a plate of crackers and ginger biscuits in front of me.
“These always helped Shannon.”
“Thank you.” It should the thoughtful side of my brother that I needed right now.
I took a cracker and nibbled on it.
“Have you heard anything from Slater?”
“I called him but there is nothing new.”
Nothing new. Now way out. It felt so hopeless.
I nodded, knowing I couldn’t face the prospect that we wouldn’t have a way to get Sin out of marrying Sienna. I never thought for a second I would watch him marry someone else but somehow this was the unbelievable situation I was in.
“I have guys combing through everything they can find on Mack.”
“Thanks.”
He nodded.
There was silence, like he was building up to say something.
“Spit it out Connor,” I prompted.
“It’s the time restraint that’s working against us Taylor. Usually this type of thing would take weeks.”
I understood. “I know.” It was becoming more hopeless with every hour that passed.
“I sent Jeff home to get some sleep.”
I nodded. He couldn’t be expected to watch me twenty four hours a day. Besides I was with my very over protective brother who was more than capable of keeping me from harm
“I’m surprised you haven’t already called for a bodyguard,” I remarked flippantly.
My brother didn’t smile. “Don’t tempt me.”
I rolled my eyes. “What could possibly happen to me when I’m with you.” The over protective brother was back and I was already feeling smothered.
I was safe. Sin was the one who was in a very dangerous position.
“This arrived for you this morning.” He slid an elegant white envelope over to me.
“Who is it from?” I asked, making no attempt to open it.
I had already been through so much, I didn’t know if I could handle anymore. It didn’t help that the envelope looked like the fancy type that might contain a wedding invitation.
“Mack.”
My hand shook as I reached for the object. I didn’t want to know what was inside but I couldn’t allow my fear to stop me. Sin needed me to be strong, even if I felt like my world was falling apart.
“He had it delivered early this morning.”
I swallowed as I touched my name printed on the envelope. It was a reminder that Mack was still keeping tabs on me. He had to be keeping an eye on me for him to know which hotel I was at.
I opened the enveloped as Connor watched.
“I don’t like how he knew where you were,” he murmured.
I didn’t either. Carefully I slid out the card already knowing what it would be and not sure I could deal with it.
The elegant writing was to notify me I was invited the wedding. The wedding, where my fiancé would marry someone else.
It was tomorrow. I took a breath, feeling a tidal wave of emotional wash over me.
Connor reached across and took the card.
“Tomorrow. That is quick.”
It meant, he wouldn’t have time to dig up something on Mack. We were effectively out of time. What could we effectively do in just over twenty four hours.
I wanted to cry but I didn’t. I sucked in a breath as my brother’s eyes found mine.
“We will find a way,” he soothed, seeing my distress.
I put a hand to my stomach, trying to reassure myself that there was a way to fix this mess. There had to be. Sin couldn’t marry someone else. That wasn’t how our story was supposed to end.
“This guy is something else,” he said, disgusted as he tossed the invitation on the table.
I swallowed as I nodded.
Connor studied me but I refused to look at him.
“You can’t go,” he stated.
I stood and walked over to the window, effectively ignoring my brother.
“Don’t ignore me Taylor.”
I sighed before I turned to face my brother.
“He wants me there.”
“He is a sadistic nut case.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I took a deep breath. “I have no idea what could happen if I don’t go. I won’t take the chance that Mack would take it out on Sin.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“But that’s the thing Connor. I have to do this.” My words fell on deaf ears.
“You’re not going near that guy Taylor,” he stated, like he had the power to stop me.
“I know you mean well but I’m going and there is nothing you can do stop me.”
No one was going to stop me.