Page 25 of Absolution

“Why did Kenner shoot her?” Ella patted his hand gently.

Trust my little girl to get straight to the heart of the matter.

“You’d have to ask Kenner.” He hadn’t expected his tone to be so terse but supposed that was what he got when heallowed decades of hurt and resentment to resurface over the dinner table. “I have my suspicions but I can’t confirm them.”

This is definitely too personal to disclose with a woman I just met.However well-intentioned Susie was, he didn’t know her. He had to be smart.

“I really am sorry.” No doubt Susie sensed the changing mood at the table as she drained the water from her glass. “I didn’t mean to drag up such awful memories when I asked about old times. Please, let me get this before I go by means of apology.”

“You had no way of knowing, Susie.” He forced himself to smile. “And there’s no need to worry. Your tab is already taken care of.” He’d ensured Osbourne’s had his credit card details for both tables before he’d even taken his place.

“Really?” Susie glanced at Ella as though she couldn’t believe his generosity. Clearly, her ex-boyfriends had been less willing or able to pay their way in the past and this was unusual as far as Susie was concerned.

“Of course.” He was happy to be the one to break the mold. “You’re trusting me with your daughter. It’s the least I can do.”

Susie laughed. “Actually, I haven’t decided if I trust you yet, Tucker.”

“Mum!” Ella’s exasperation was laced with obvious playfulness. “What more can Tucker do to convince you?”

“Nothing more,” Tucker answered for Susie. “Only time can build trust.”

A knowing silence hovered over them as all three accepted the truth of his words. Assurances as delicate as trust couldn’t be contrived.

“He’s right.” Susie’s brow rose as if she was surprised at his perception. “I can see you’re happy, sweetheart, and I’m glad, but I think Tucker will forgive me for remaining a little skeptical about his motives for the time being.”

“I’d think less of you if you weren’t skeptical.” He was starting to relate to Susie more and more. “I have the person you love the most in the world in my care.”

“That’s right.” Susie pulled in a deep breath as her gaze slid between him and her daughter. “And you should know one thing before I leave, Mr. Bowman.”

“What’s that, Ms. Bradshaw?” He tugged Ella’s hand from his and lifted it to his lips for a kiss. Ella grinned at the display of affection, snuggling closer to where he sat.

Susie’s lips curled as she watched the interaction between the two of them.

“If you do anything to harm her, I’ll take you apart.”

***

Ella waved as they watched Susie’s Uber pull away. “Well, that could have been worse.”

“Right.” He was inclined to agree. “All things considered, I don’t think she hated me.”

“Oh, she liked you, sir.” Ella’s tone was knowing as her green gaze met his.

“What’s that supposed to mean, little girl?” He was pleased to see how easily she’d slipped back into their private routine now Susie had been dispatched. He’d worried that she might refuse to use the honorific after the short-term reprieve.

“Nothing.” She flashed him her perfect dental work as they turned and wandered back to the parking lot where he’d left his car. Slipping her delicate hand into his, they approached the valet. “I’m just saying I know my mum, and I think she was impressed. Especially when you started to open up about your past…”

“Yeah.” He reached into his pocket for the valet’s ticket and offered it to the waiting guy. “About that. I didn’t intend for the ambiance to take such a downward spiral.”

“Don’t.” She turned to face him as they waited for the valet to retrieve his Lamborghini. “Don’t play down the things you disclosed. Losing your mother is awful enough, but having her ripped from you because some asshole …” Her brows knitted. “I can’t even imagine.”

“No.” He hoped she’d never need to, and now that he’d met Susie, Tucker would personally ensure one of his protection teams was assigned to her welfare so Ella would never need to. His enemies might be lowlifes, but they were powerful men who had no misgivings about killing someone else’s mother. He ought to know. “I don’t want you to.”

He nodded his appreciation as the valet climbed out of his car and handed him the keys.

“She really is a beauty, sir.” The younger guy beamed as he glanced back at the vehicle.

“Thanks for taking care of her.” Tucker reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of notes, which he thrust at the guy. “We appreciate it.”

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