Page 100 of Volatile Vice

He frowns. “I have my suspicions.”

“I see.”

Then he does a double take. “Wait. Doyouknow?”

33

RAVEN

Ilook up when an older man and a young girl walk in to the waiting area. The man is dressed to the nines in a designer suit. The girl is dressed in a pretty blue party dress, complete with lacy ankle socks and patent-leather shoes.

“Caroline Gallo?” The man asks the volunteer on duty.

“Are you family?”

“Friends.”

The volunteer frowns. “Then I’m afraid I can’t help you. But that’s her son-in-law over there. He may be able to help you.” She gestures to where Falcon, Jared, and I are seated.

Falcon’s jaw drops.

He rises, walks over to the man. “What the hell do you thinkyou’redoing here?”

“Oh, Mr. Bellamy.” When he smiles, he looks like a snake. “I see you’re faring well.”

“You need to get the fuck out of here now.”

He narrows his venomous gaze at Falcon. “I’ll thank you to watch your language in front of my daughter.”

“Shut up.”

“I’d like to know how your future mother-in-law is doing.” He scans the room. “I believe Savannah’s grandfather is here?”

I don’t like where this is going. I walk toward them. “Hello,” I say to the girl. “My name is Raven. What’s yours?”

“Belinda.”

I stop myself from throwing my hand over my mouth. Oh my God. This must be Declan McAllister and his daughter Belinda. This little girl is Vinnie’s intended.

But my God… She’s just a little girl. She looks like she’s going to an afternoon tea party or something.

“Are you thirsty? We could go get a drink.” I look up at the man who must be Declan McAllister. “If it’s okay with you, sir.”

That will get Belinda out of the way so Falcon can have it out with Declan McAllister. He’s the father of Miles McAllister, the man Vinnie’s father shot to protect Falcon.

And this little girl? She’s his sister.

“Don’t go too far, Belinda.” Her father turns to me. “In fact, if you could just get her a bottle of water and come right back here, I’d appreciate it.”

“Is that okay with you?” I ask Belinda. “We’ll just go down the hallway and get a drink and bring it right back here.” I nod to Jared. “This is Jared. He’ll come with us. He’s really nice.”

Her eyes widen—Jared has that effect on people—but she nods and lets go of her father’s hand quickly.

She seems skittish, so I gesture to her without touching her. “It’s this way.”

We make it to a soda machine, and of course they don’t have Orange Crush. “Would you like something besides water?” I ask.

She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “I’m not allowed to drink soda. But water’s fine.” She stares at me.

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