The Family Business 3 (The Family Business #3)(11)

LC glanced at the postcard then over at me. He hesitated for a moment before he said, “I need to speak to your mother alone for a second.” His tone and facial expression told everyone in the room that he was not to be questioned right now. Still, that didn’t stop them from protesting silently with frowns and worried glances. Orlando went so far as to open his mouth, but LC shut him down before he could get a word out. Orlando left reluctantly with the others.

When we were alone, LC walked over and sat on the arm of my chair then turned the postcard toward me. It took me a second, but I gasped when I realized what the picture of Israel meant. “Jesus Christ, is this for real?”

“Evidently Vegas thinks so,” LC responded. “Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken off.”

“You do know this could be a trap. We should call the pilot and have him turn that plane around,” I said desperately. I grabbed his arm, pleading with him to get my son out of harm’s way, but he just sat there, stone-faced. “He’s just come home, LC. I don’t want him getting himself killed. I worked too hard and pulled too many strings to get him home in the first place—no thanks to you,” I added bitterly.

“I know that, Charlotte,” my husband countered. “But we both know we can’t stop him. He’d never forgive us.”

“Then let’s send Sasha or Paris to back him up,” I implored.

“I wish I could, but you know I can’t. Not with this Brother X on the loose. We spread ourselves too thin and a man like him will pick us off one by one. With Vegas gone and Junior’s head in the clouds, Sasha and Paris are our best offensive and defensive weapons. Have you forgotten the man has just escaped from a maximum security prison?”

“I haven’t forgotten a damn thing. It’s all I can think about,” I snapped angrily. “I don’t want any of my children hurt over this, LC.”

“Neither do I, but this Brother X is not like the people we usually deal with. This isn’t about money or power to him. This is a matter of principle. More importantly, it’s a matter of the heart.”

“What about the Russians or the Italians? Can’t we go to them? They’re the ones who employ the man, and we put a lot of money in their pockets.”

“I already tried,” he said. “All of our mutual friends and contacts say this is a matter amongst Blacks. They don’t want to get involved. Frankly, I think they’re just as concerned about Brother X and his army of killers as we are.”

“You do know there’s only one way to avert this, don’t you?”

He shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking, but I thought we decided—”

“No!” I cut him off, giving him a pointed look as I stood up. “You decided! I kept quiet because you said you and the boys would come up with a solution. Well, you don’t have a solution, and I’m not keeping quiet anymore. I’m putting a stop to this craziness, whether you or anyone else likes it. I will not allow my family to be sitting ducks for this man.”

He didn’t bother to try to assert his authority over me. We’d been married long enough that he knew I meant every word I said. I would stop at nothing to ensure the safety of my family, regardless of what anyone said to try to talk me out of it.

“Have you even thought about the consequences of what you’re suggesting?” he asked.

“Of course I have, and compared to the alternative, I’ll take them every day.” I turned toward the door.

“Charlotte! Charlotte!” He called after me as I left the room, but he didn’t follow. He might not have liked it, but I was sure he knew, just like I did, that what I was about to do was our only way out without bloodshed.

I walked into the kitchen, where my oldest daughter, London, was preparing the last touches of dinner with Sonya. They turned in my direction when they heard me enter with a loud sigh. I’m sure they knew I was not a happy camper, but each kept to her task and remained silent.

“London, honey, could you give Sonya and me a minute, please?”

Sonya’s eyes were pleading with London not to leave her alone with me, but my daughter was smart enough to know not to get in the middle of what was to come. She gave Sonya a sympathetic glance but turned to me and said, “Sure, Ma. These are the last plates for dinner anyway.” She lifted the tray of steaks and headed for the door, leaving Sonya to face me without backup.

“I’m not going to pretend like I’m happy about anything I’ve heard the last few days. Now, I’ve done everything in my power to make you feel welcome, because I like you and I know you love my son and he loves you. Besides, I’ll be the first to admit that we’re not your average family, and it takes a very special person to be a part of it.” I could see her relax ever so slightly, but I wasn’t finished with her yet. “You could have told me that you were married,” I snapped, stepping closer.

“Mrs. Duncan . . .” I didn’t let her get more than a few words out before I shut her down. She was taken by surprise when I pushed her against the refrigerator, snatching up the knife London had been using and pointing it at her throat.

“Don’t bother trying to explain,” I hissed at her. “Now, you may not know this, but your husband has escaped from prison.” Her eyes went wide with fear. “So I don’t have the time or the patience for you to be sugar-coating shit.” I pressed the blade against her throat.