“Actually, it’s what I specifically need from Jason.” Turning to look at his brother, he waited until Jason gave a nod. “I need to borrow your house for a little while.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Let me get this straight, you want to use the house Aviva just spent months decorating to her exact specification?”
“Yeah, that about sums it up,” Josh confirmed with a grin.
Instead of responding to his request, Jason changed the direction of the conversation. “I don’t know about the rest of these guys, but to me there seems to be a few holes in your story. You leave for the Caribbean with little more than a word. Once there, you find Lux, and you’re both pursued by parties unknown.
Jake and I extract you from said situation, only for you to give us some half-assed explanation about what’s actually going on.
Now you want to go to the house my wife loves, and I’m just supposed to hand over the keys with no questions asked. Did I miss anything, Jake?”
“Nope, I’d say that just about covers everything.”
“For the love of God!” Jackson exclaimed.
“Thanks for that brothers!”
“Our pleasure,” Jason said without the slightest remorse. “When you’re ready, we’re listening.”
“It seems Sam has some information Matthaeus needs to get his hands on before the law closes in on him. By the law, I don’t mean Saunders and Bonetti.”
“Why now, and why is Sam withholding this information?” Jake inquired.
“Because he wants out, and they know that if Sam isn’t onboard they don’t stand a chance of this last deal. I don’t know what this deal is, nor do I want to know. All Sam said is that it will set Matthaeus up for the rest of his life.
However, in order to pull it off, they need Sam’s help. Sam tried to hide his connection with Lux, and he succeeded until Saunders and Bonetti ferreted it out. I suspect until the day they turned up at our house, they didn’t have any real confirmation that Lux even knew Sam.
I guess all parties involved believe they can use Lux as collateral to get Sam to see things their way. Only I got to her first. Now, it’s a waiting game.”
“Then it’s settled, you will both remain here,” Jackson concluded as though the discussion was finished.
Josh’s protestations only came to an end when Jason agreed he could use their house. Jackson wasn’t convinced. But they persuaded him that Josh and Lux spending a few weeks away would be a good thing. No one knew about the house, which made it ideal.
With everything finalized, Jackson rose and left the room. The moment the door closed behind their father, Josh turned back to his brothers.
“Now cut the crap and tell us what the hell is really going on,” Jake barked.
Josh didn’t waste any time objecting to the way Jake spoke to him. They all knew his well chosen words had been for their father’s benefit. “Okay, the truth is, these people are killers, including those detectives. It appears that now matters are approaching the end game, a lot of necks are on the line.
The part about relocating the woman was the truth. That was my only involvement with Sam and the world he inhabits. We’re not friends and we don’t keep in touch. When he asked that I go to Lux, there was no question of me doing otherwise. She’s my wife and I love…” Josh trailed off without finishing his sentence.”
“Go on,” Jason urged.
“Last night I allowed him to come here to speak with Lux because I owe him a big debt.”
“What did you do, Josh?” Jason asked.
“It’s more what he did for us. I owe him because he was my contact which led us to finding Aviva when she came up missing. He was also the one who told me about the contract that was on this family.”
“Is my wife safe, Josh,” Jason queried, his eyes taking on a deadly glint.
“She’s safe. All of you are safe, but I still want to put some distance between the family, and the trouble Sam has snapping at his heels. At some point, I know he’ll want to see Lux again face to face. He’s looking for absolution and he thinks the only way to achieve that is through Lux.”
“Why?” Jake asked.
“Because he needs forgiveness for the type of life he’s led and what he assumes he put his parents through. The only member of his family left who can give him the release he craves is, Lux.”
“What do you need us to do?” Jason asked coming to his feet.
“I need you guys to find Matthaeus and ensure he doesn’t come anywhere near Lux. I also want to know Sam’s whereabouts. He’s in hiding, and his associates are desperate and that makes them even more dangerous.”
****
“What kind of trouble is he in that he needs to stay at our house?”
“Right now, I think he just wants to ensure that Lux has some distance from her brother. I also suspect he wants to take some time to try to rebuild their relationship.”