Page 119 of Morally Gray Daddies

He blew out a sigh. “I don’t like having to fall back on contingency plans, but there’s a reason for creating them.”

He glanced over with a tense smile.

“And it would seem this is one of those times.”

Chapter Eleven

Derrick

“You’ll need to send a cleaner.”

We’d driven north all night, and dawn had just come up to the east of us when I decided to call. Aubrey had curled up in her seat and fallen asleep, so I kept my voice low and used my earbud to mute one half of the conversation to hopefully not disturb her.

Colbie sighed. “I suppose I should’ve expected that as a potential outcome.”

“If not for him, then me.”

“I believe I said I never doubted your ability to take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, and you also said you’d hate to lose a valuable asset to a random fluke.”

“But that didn’t happen, did it?”

“Nope, but you hedged your bets.”

“We both know that’s the appropriate course of action in our business.”

I didn’t answer, because even though he was right, I didn’t feel the need to stroke his ego and confirm it.

“Where are you headed now?” he asked.

“I think I’ll hedge my bets and keep that to myself.”

Colbie chuckled. “Tut-tut, Ric. I’ve no intention of giving Mr. Delgado any further information on your whereabouts. I gave him what he asked for the first time as a gesture of goodwill. Next time he’ll need to earn it. Besides, as much as your treatment of Ms. Taryn angered him, his passions burn quickly, and right now he has more pressing matters to attend to.”

“I’m sure,” I replied drily. “Please thank the team for the use of their home,” I continued. “We had a pleasant stay.”

“We?” There was a tiny pause. “You still have her with you?”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “I’ll never quite understand your fascination with taking them. There seems so much potential risk for what appears to be such little reward.”

I stared as the rush of tall, thick firs lining each side of the highway slipped past the truck. “As you’ve said, we all have our vices.”

“True enough.” For a moment there was only the hum of road noise as the SUV continued north. “Well, safe travels, Ric. I’ll be in touch,” Colbie added, then hung up.

As the call ended, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Aubrey yawned, uncurling herself as she stretched and looked around outside of the vehicle.

“Where are we?”

“Just south of Klamath Falls, Oregon.”

“Oh.” For a minute she stayed silent as we slipped through the Hansel-and-Gretel forest surrounding us. “Where are we going?” she eventually asked.

I smiled tightly. “I’m not exactly sure, but I’m about to find out.” I tapped at the phone screen setting in the cup holder next to me until I found the number I wanted.

“Mr. Deverell.”

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