Alex grabbed the sweater she’d made and wrapped in some wrapping paper. She left the sewing room, pulling the door closed as she followed Millie toward the front door, only to come to a stop when she saw who was blocking their exit.
Roman and his buddies.
She had no idea what they were doing here. “Please, move,” Alex said.
“You’re not going out there alone.” Roman looked toward Millie. “Can’t you go alone?”
“No!” Alex snapped out the word. “She’s not going alone. I already talked to my dad today, and he said he didn’t see a reason why I shouldn’t.”
Roman held up his hand, attempting to silence her and pressing some buttons on his cell phone.
She heard ringing, and then the sound of her father’s voice.
“What do you want, Roman?” Liam asked.
“Alex is under the impression she can go to the orphanage.”
“That is correct. I gave her my permission earlier. Enjoy, Alex.”
She smiled.
“Liam, have you lost your fucking mind?”
Millie tensed at her side.
“I agreed to let my daughter go because I had her husband and three of his closest friends, who, according to my records, have the ability to protect her. Not to mention if you four dipshits fail, I know I can count on Millie, isn’t that right?”
“Yes, Sir.” Millie puffed out her chest, and Alex wrapped her arms around the older woman, giving her a squeeze.
“Are we done here, Roman? Unlike you, I like my daughter to thrive, to have a life, and to show my fucking enemies that I’m not afraid.”
She saw a tic in Roman’s jaw as he clenched his teeth. Liam had just embarrassed him. The call ended abruptly, and he looked up. She saw the anger in his eyes.
“I do not like this.”
“I’m going to go see Stuart. I trust that you will all keep us safe. Besides, last night, we dealt with two of the enemy’s men. I doubt they would try to attack so soon.” Stepping past them, Millie by her side, she walked out to the waiting van.
As she suspected, Antonio, Marlo, and Cash took the three seats up front, leaving her, Millie, and Roman to sit in the backseat.
“You know this is reckless,” Roman said.
“Would you have us all staying at home and waiting for the enemy to get bored? Is that it?” Millie asked.
“Her life is in danger.”
“Alex’s life has been in danger her whole life. Being your wife doesn’t change that.”
“It makes her more of a target.”
“And yet, from where I sit, it makes her more protected. There are five people here to make sure she is safe. Do you have so little confidence in your men?” Millie asked.
Alex winced at the jibe. It wasn’t a nice one.
“Stop fighting,” Alex said. “I only want to see Stuart and the rest of the kids. I love them all.”
“Why do you only have one gift?” Roman asked. “Do you favor one? That will make him a target.”
Millie tsked. “There is a box in the trunk, next to all the brownies and cupcakes I’ve made. Alex has been making them kids gifts for as long as I can remember. When she wasn’t studying, she was sewing. The only kid’s sweater she had left to do was Stuart’s. The only reason she is holding it is because he’s so withdrawn. He doesn’t like to get involved, and the kids know that.” Millie shook her head. “Where do they make men like you? Always so suspicious.”