Page 111 of Morally Gray Daddies

I looked over as ‘the other girl’ dropped her gaze to the concrete walkway in front of her, scrubbing the back of her hand over her face. “If I told you it was her idea, would you believe me?”

“Hmm. Interesting,” Colbie murmured. “I’ve always found Stockholm Syndrome quite fascinating,” he added quietly.

“I was more inclined to think of it as an opportunity for her to fulfill a latent desire.”

“A latent desire? For what?”

“Being heroic. Amongst… other things.”

“Hmph. A curious hypothesis. I know the young woman is no longer at the Delgados’. Did you take her with you? Or…” He let the unspoken question hang in the air.

“I took her.”

“Ah.”

“I did ask if I could,” I added pointedly.

“Yes, you did,” Colbie concurred. “A word of advice, if I may… if you still have her, get rid of her the first chance you have. Considering that you now know you’re being followed, she’s a hindrance you can’t afford.”

“I’ll give your recommendation all due consideration,” I replied drily.

“Don’t let gluttony guide your hand here, Ric.” I could hear the frown in his voice. “She may play well into your vices, but is she really worth the risk?”

“I believe I told you she’s a bonus.”

“Yes, you did, but what good is a bonus if you’re dead?”

Aubrey looked up from the ground, turning her head in my direction. I caught her eye and gestured for her to come. She began walking, her pace slow, her lips pressed tightly together.

“Do you think so little of my skills you believe whoever Antonio Delgado has sent might be proficient enough to take me?”

“All things must come to an end eventually.”

“Something I believe many people have said of you,” I retorted, “and yet…”

“Here we are.”

“Here we are,” I echoed.

Aubrey came to a stop in front of me. A glance at her face confirmed what I’d suspected. She had been crying. I had a pretty good idea why, but now wasn’t the time or the place to deal with it.

“Do you know who it is he’s sent?” I asked while keeping Aubrey pinned in place with my gaze.

“No. He’s taken on this responsibility entirely on his own. That said, he does have access to people who do have skill sets that shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. Be careful, Ric,” Colbie cautioned. “I’d hate to lose a valuable asset to a random fluke.”

“Your concern is touching.” I made a ‘this way’ gesture to Aubrey, placing my hand against her lower back when she stepped past.

“Practical,” Colbie corrected, “but I understood what you meant.”

“I can take care of myself,” I replied as we approached the SUV. “I always have.”

“I’ve never doubted it. I merely offered a suggestion.”

I opened the passenger door for her, helping her inside. As I closed it, I said, “Mm-hmm. And for the record, this is the last time I’ll take on this kind of assignment. Don’t come to me with something like this again.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Ric,” he chided. “You know that’s not the way this works.”

I opened my door and slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m serious.”

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