Chapter Fifty One

Stephen

I’m at a loss for words for the first time since this whole mess began. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me, waiting for me to take charge, but I can’t even wrap my own head around what’s happening. I’m lost in my thoughts, oblivious to the world around me, until I feel my wife’s hand in mine.

Trinity - Stephen?

Stephen - Hmm? Yeah, babe?

Trinity - Go grab your tablet, babe. Let’s start looking at flights and accommodations. That’ll give us an idea of when we can leave. Let’s get it sorted while Benji’s here so he can coordinate with Phil for you. Okay, babe?

Stephen - Okay.

That’s the best response I can muster as I head inside to fetch the tablet. I stop in my tracks when I see our kids. Before I can stop myself, my fist slams into the wall.

The kids scream and everyone rushes inside, their eyes wide as they stare at me. My wife’s voice cuts through the chaos, calm and steady.

Trinity - Stephen, go upstairs. Please. Just remember the kids are here and focus on that.

I nod and retreat to our room. I don’t know how long I sit there, lost in my thoughts, until I hear Jay start to cry. I pick him up, wincing as pain shoots through my hand. I sit on the bed, cradling my son, staring into his face.

I can’t keep doing this. The knowledge that Mike planned to kill Trinity, the extent of the corruption, the realization that they tried to kill us again... it all comes crashing down on me. I carry Jay downstairs where everyone is outside, on their phones, looking at flights and accommodations. I hand the tablet to Clint.

Stephen - Clint, find a place close to Phil’s that can accommodate six adults and five kids. We need to stick together. It’s safer that way.

Clint - Got it.

Stephen - Baby, Jay woke up. I changed his diaper, but I need you to handle feeding him. I’ll be right back.

I hand Jay to my wife and head back inside. I open the kids’ gate and kneel down with my nephew and my twins.

Stephen - I’m sorry I scared you guys earlier. I had a little accident. Are you okay?

Olivia - Daddy hurt.

My little girl looks at me with a sad face.

Stephen - No, pea pod, Daddy’s fine. Come give me a cuddle.

The kids come over and hug me.

Stephen - I love you all.

Nathaniel - Love you, Daddy.

Olivia - Love you, Dada.

Willie - Love you, Uncle.

I stand up, let them return to their movie, and head back outside.

Stephen - Clint, when you’re done, book us three cabins for tomorrow night at the latest. I’m going to talk to Luke and Todd about taking care of the dogs while we’re gone and arrange for someone to check on the houses. Benji, I appreciate that you want us safe and out of the way while this is being resolved, but I’m not running.

Benji - No one is saying you ar-

Stephen - I’m telling you, I’m not running. If they want a fight, I’ll give them one. You keep doing your investigation here, but know that I’ll be doing my own investigation over there.

Benji - Stephen, you don’t have to go this route, mate. There are legal ways we can fight this.

Stephen - I know, and we will. I’ll do it your way, Benji, but I need a backup plan. We didn’t have one last time and look what happened. This time, I’m not bringing a knife to a gunfight. We’ll do it your way, but if that doesn’t work, we do it my way. You hear me?

Benji - Gotcha. So what exactly do you plan to do?

Stephen - I plan on speaking with Chad.

Benji - You don’t believe that he wasn’t involved?

Stephen - I’ll know when I see him. Either way, he knows more and he’s the only key to resolving this once and for all. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family. I want a copy of everything you have so far, Benji, and I’ll share anything I find.

Stephen - Dave, can you talk to Felicity on your own and convince her to come with us?

David - I think so, bro.

Clint - Let Mia and I come with you, just in case.

Stephen - Do that. Worst case, Mia can talk to her and explain that this is the best thing for Annabelle right now. Clint, drop Gerrard off first thing in the morning. In the meantime, I’ll talk to Luke and Todd about the dogs. What else do you need from me, Benji?

Benji - Not much, mate. We need to investigate this cleanly, though.

Stephen - I know. I told you I’ll do it your way first.

Benji - Listen to me, for fuck’s sake! I’m telling you to do this cleanly. This is serious, and we need to expose it. I need to be able to take this to the chief of police without implicating you, okay?

Stephen - Okay.

I watch as Benji stands up to leave.

Benji - Clint?

Clint - Yes, mate?

Benji - I’m serious. Keep an eye on him. We can’t afford to go backwards on this one. You hear me?

Clint nods while I just stand there, watching the exchange.

Benji - I want to see you at my office tomorrow before you leave, alone. I’ll have the files you want ready then.

Stephen - Okay.

Benji leaves shortly after, followed by Clint, Mia, and Willie, who are going to support Dave when he talks to Felicity. I lock the door behind them and turn back to my family. My wife is sitting on the couch, feeding Jay. I walk over and kiss her gently on the head.

Stephen - I’m sorry, babe.

Trinity - I know you are.

Stephen - It was unnecessary.

Trinity - It’s okay. You were lost in your thoughts. I’ve seen you like that before, Stephen. I’m just glad you managed to pull yourself out of it before you sank any deeper.

Stephen - I love you.

Trinity - I love you too, babe. Just try to be more aware of your surroundings next time. You really scared the kids.

Stephen - I’m sorry, baby.

Trinity - Stop beating yourself up. Things happen. You recognized the problem and it won’t happen again. So, what’s next?

Stephen - I’ll make sure our family is safe, then we can go over everything from the start.

Trinity - Sounds good, baby.

Stephen - You’re on board with this?

Trinity - Baby, I’m always on your side.

Stephen - I’m going to get the kids’ baths ready so we can clean them up and get them settled. It’s already five-thirty, babe. I’ll order some dinner and help you wash them while we wait. That way, we can get them to bed early. I need to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. There’s a lot to handle.

Trinity - Okay, babe. If you could start the baths while I finish feeding them...

I head upstairs and start filling the tub. I wait until it’s full before turning off the water and heading back downstairs to collect my little ones. I scoop up the twins while Trinity carries Jay up and settles him into the boomerang pillow on our bed where we can keep an eye on him.

We’re in our ensuite, washing the twins, when the front door rings.

Trinity - I’ll get it, babe. It’s probably the food.

Stephen - Thanks, doll.

My wife heads downstairs while I continue washing our twins. It’s not long before I hear her calling my name.

Trinity - Stephen!!!

I poke my head out of the ensuite.

Stephen - Babe, the twins are still in the bath. I can’t leave them.

Trinity - Stephen, get them out now. Detective Peters is at our doorstep again.

Stephen - On my way, babe.

I quickly lift my kids out of the bath and slip their towel hoodies over their heads to keep them warm. I pick up Jay and head downstairs to my wife, who’s blocking the doorway to keep him out. I pretend not to notice him as I say to my wife,

Stephen - Babe, is Detective Dipshit still—Oh, he is.

I say as I glance up at him. Just then, my little princess chimes in.

Olivia - Shit.

Stephen - Baby, don’t swear. But you’re right, he does smell like shit.

Detective - Do you have a moment, Mr. Gotti?

Stephen - No, not for you.

Detective - I think it’s about time we had a chat, don’t you?

Stephen - No, not really. But if you’re so eager to talk, why don’t you step over that threshold now... Just make sure you’re certain I haven’t rigged a motion sensor to it.

I give him a deadly stare, watching him swallow hard before stepping back and hastily leaving my house.