Targeted (Firebrand Book 1) by Sandra Robbins Page A

relieve the tension that had suddenly engulfed the room.
    He looked around. “Where’s Lainey?”
    Casey cleared her throat and sat up straighter in her chair. “Her lawyer called and wanted to come by for her to sign some papers. I went down to the gate and let him in a while ago, and they’ve been in the den ever since.”
    Ash’s eyebrows arched. “William’s here? I hope I get to see him before he leaves. He was my father’s attorney when I was growing up.”
    “Then this is your lucky day.” Lainey’s voice came from the doorway, and he caught sight of her as she walked into the kitchen. The anger and accusation he’d heard in voice yesterday had vanished this morning, and he cast a wary glance at her as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She took a sip and turned to face him. “William is in the den. We’ve finished with our business. When he called earlier, I told him you were home, and he said he needed to see you while he was here. He’s waiting for you.”
    Ash pushed to his feet. “Then I’ll go meet with him.” He headed toward the door but stopped before he exited the room and looked at Lainey. “What time’s the musical program?”
    “It’s at 11:00. Then the parents are invited to stay for lunch. I called the principal this morning and told him that Max wouldn’t be there until they did their last run-through of the performance, at about nine o’clock.”
    Ash nodded. “That’s good. Did you tell him why?”
    “No. I think he assumed Max was still not feeling well because he wasn’t at school yesterday. How do you want to handle getting us there?”
    “I’d like to run out to the training facility after I see William and see if Tex’s EOD squad found out anything, but I’ll be back in time to see the performance.” He glanced at Casey. “Could you and one of the guys take Max and Lainey to the school and stay with them until I get there?”
    She smiled and nodded. “Sure. I’ll ask Phillip to go.” She glanced at her watch and then swallowed her last bit of coffee. “We’d better get on the ball if we’re going to make it on time.”
    “It’s very important that you’re with them every minute, Casey. I’ll be there well before the concert starts.”
    “You got it,” she said as she walked past him and out of the room.
    Lainey waited until Casey had left before she turned to Ash. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for Max to go to this concert today?”
    “I thought about it a lot. But he needs this. And we need to support him. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure he’s safe.”
    His words didn’t erase the worried expression on her face. After a moment she sighed and walked over to pour herself a cup of coffee. “All right. I just hope you’re right.” He took a step to leave the kitchen, but her voice stopped him. “I didn’t know how to explain to William about why you’re here.”
    “That’s okay. I’ll take care of it,” Ash said.
    He stood there a moment, but when she didn’t say anything else he turned and strode toward the den. William Mason rose from the sofa and smiled as Ash walked into the room. He hadn’t changed much in the years Ash had been gone. Maybe a bit grayer around the temples, but he still had the lean, athletic look he’d maintained ever since Ash could remember.
    William smiled and stuck out his hand. “I don’t believe it. Ash DeHan back at home. Aren’t you the guy who asked me to tell Richard and Lainey you’d never come here again after you found out they had married? What made you change your mind?”
    Ash grasped his old friend’s hand and smiled. William still had the strong grip he’d always prided himself on. “You probably know that we’re building a new Firebrand Training Center here. I needed to check on some things, and I thought while I was in the area it was time I met Max. He’s quite a boy.”
    William nodded. “That he is. And it looks like he’s going to be a very rich man some day. Lainey has done a