Page 52 of Absolution

He and Ella had been listening to Bennett’s version of events ever since he’d funneled the unexpected intruder into the kitchen and gone to find her in the bathroom. He couldn’t say he believed or trusted the things Bennett said, but he was inclined to agree that Collins was still a latent threat.

“Tell me again what Collins said to you.” His gaze settled on Bennett as he contemplated for the hundredth time how a worm like Bennett had managed to produce someone like his little girl. Seeing them there together only reinforced the absurdity.

“Like I said.” Bennett’s attention slipped to him. “Collins told me Kenner was paying him to kill you. He also inferred that Ella was in danger, and that’s why I’m here.”

“We appreciate that.” Ella’s tone was far more diplomatic than Tucker’s might have been. “But why not just tell security and have them message us? Why break into the apartment in the middle of the night?”

“Exactly.” Tucker couldn’t help piggybacking her important point. “What I’d like to know is how on Earth you persuaded the guys down there to let you up here in the first place.”

Hadn’t Tucker spent days reiterating the significance of his and Ella’s security to all of his security staff? Could any of them have been foolish enough to have disregarded his instructions so soon after receiving them?

“I didn’t.” Bennett’s brow rose. “I was going to mention that. There were no security guys down there when I arrived. I looked around but couldn’t find anyone. It took me ages to find the emergency stairwell and pick the lock. Fortunately, our youth taught me something, eh, Bowman?” He chuckled as though he’d said something amusing, but Tucker’s mind was racing.

“What?” Tucker gripped the edge of the counter, his gaze darting instinctively to Ella. Where the hell was their security?“There are always two men on duty downstairs. Someone should have been there.”

“What does that mean?” Ella’s voice wavered as she glanced between him and her father. “Where are they, Tucker?”

“I don’t know.” He noticed how she’d reverted to using his first name in Bennett’s presence, but he supposed he could understand why. She had a complicated enough relationship with her father without needing to explain her complex one with him. “But I don’t like it.” He turned to glance at the door behind him. “I should go down there and see what’s going on.”

He hated what he was about to suggest, but the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach assured him there was no choice. If Bennett’s information was right—and his gut told him it could well be—Collins was already on his way, and he would be armed. The only way to ensure Ella was safe was to leave her with the man on his couch. Bennett was a callous asshole, but he had traveled across the city to warn them about Collins. Maybe monsters could still have consciences after all?

“Stay here with your dad until I’ve figured this out. I—” His sentence was stopped short as the power around them ended abruptly. Thrust into darkness, the kitchen took on a sudden, eerie ambiance.

“What?” Alarm reverberated in her voice as she rose to her feet.

“It’s Collins.” Bennett’s voice was resigned. “He’s cut the power.”

“What do you mean, he’s cut the power?” Ella darted to Tucker’s side.

“Bennett’s probably right.” It grated on him to have to admit it. “If I was planning a hit, I’d do the same. Likely, he took out the security guys, too.”

Tucker’s stomach lurched as he considered what Collins had probably been putting his guys through while they sipped coffee with Bennett in the kitchen. Collins hadn’t been much of a soldier, but he was more than capable with a blade and a gun, and if money was his motivation, Tucker had no doubt about his inclination to torment and maim. Collins was trouble, and much though he hadn’t appreciated the Alexander wake-up, Tucker was glad for the heads-up.

“Oh God.” Ella’s breath was warm on his shoulder. “What are we going to do?”

“It’s true, then.” Bennett’s tone was wistful from the couch as he watched his daughter cling to Tucker. “There’s something going on between the two of you.”

“Now’s not the time, Alexander.” Ella sighed.

“Yes, it’s true.” Something about Bennett’s disappointed tone riled Tucker. “What of it?”

“Collins told me, but I didn’t believe it.” Bennett shuffled over to join them at the marble island.

“Well, believe it.” Tucker couldn’t quite believe he was having this conversation with Bennett, let alone when the power had just gone off, and the shadow of Collins loomed so large. “I love your daughter, and I’ll kill anyone who gets in our way.”

“Aww, ain’t that sweet?”

Tucker froze at the male voice behind him, reaching for the gun on the counter as he spun to face its owner. He didn’t need to see the face of the latest unwelcome visitor to know who it was.

“Collins…” Tucker growled his name between gritted teeth as he did his best to position himself in front of Ella. “This must be the night for old hauntings.”

“The only one making an appearance in the afterlife around here is you,buddy.” Collins employed the same sneer Tucker recalled from the hospital all those years ago.

“Get her out of here.” Tucker spat the command at Bennett, hoping, for once, his paternal instinct would kick in, and the guy would do the right thing by his daughter.

“No one leaves.” Collins’ voice came from the direction of the doorway, although it was still difficult to see him in the darkness.

“I don’t want to leave!” Ella’s defiance suggested Tucker hadn’t done a good enough job of tanning her pretty hide in recent days. If they got through this, he made a mental note to do better.

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