Page 56 of Mountain Man Daddy

“I’m taking you to Annie’s, and I’m going to find him. This is going to be a huge help.” He took the pad and tapped it against his palm. “I can’t wait to get this guy,” he said, growling through gritted teeth.

“There’s something else. I saw a convenience store bag in the cabin. If they have cameras you might be able to get a picture of him and broadcast it and the partial plate number. Al’s Convenience.”

“I can’t risk alerting him we have that info. He’ll disappear. And I already have his picture, but so far it hasn’t done us any good. He’s too nondescript.”

“Daddy, I think he wants you to catch him this time. There is more to his connection with you than you know. He says it’s a surprise.”

“I’ve thought that for a long time, Avery,” he said, running a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. “I just don’t know what it could be.”

“Can I see the files?” He arched his brow, but grabbed the file off the table, holding it out of her reach a moment. “I’d rather you close your eyes for a few minutes before we leave, but you’ve spent time with him. Maybe you’ll see something I can’t.” He handed her the folder. She grinned, put her hand on his forearm, and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “I know you’ve been hidden from the world awhile, but I saw a show once where they posted a plate number online and said the guy hit their dog and took off. The power of social media had his location within an hour without alerting him. Could you do something like that? But include his picture because a partial plate won’t be enough when we don’t have the make, model, or color of the car.”

“You, little girl, are brilliant!” A smile grew slowly on his face.

“The writers of the show are brilliant. My only contribution is remembering it.” She rubbed her face as if she could scrub away the drug haze faster. “I only wish I could remember which one so we could credit them.” She shrugged, and he bent to take her mouth. She felt dizzy when he released her lips.

“Mm, that was some kind of brilliant too!” Mike said as her hand fell from his arm to his hip where she clung as he kissed her again, deeper this time.

“Hey, is that a cell in your front pocket?” she asked when their kiss broke. He looked down.

“Yes.” He smirked. “But I’m happy to see you too. Why do you ask?”

She reached into his pocket and grabbed it. “It works?”

“It’s police-issued. Different provider than yours, so yes.”

She blinked up at him.

“Are you going back?” She didn’t know how she felt about it but was more concerned how he felt. Had he missed it?

“I don’t think so.” He was thoughtful a moment. “I want this done—Prescott, Alex, and the rest of this mess, but after that… No, I don’t think I want that life back.”

Avery gripped his phone and smiled. She was glad he didn’t want his old life back because she didn’t either. Avery loved her time with him here in the mountain, and she couldn’t wait to get back to it. She swiped the phone to open it.

“Do you have a pic of Prescott in your email? I can post from here. Maybe we’ll get lucky and have his location before he gets to his next girl.” She opened a fake Facebook account quickly and searched for online Facebook groups located in Bathurst and posted in each one. She created one plea that would relate to each group. When she was finished, Mike handed her a glass of water.

“Drink.” He sat beside her again, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. She knew he had to go. Time was so vital now.

“Prescott’s all about games, and cat and mouse seems to be his favorite. I’m just never sure which one of us is the mouse.”

* * *

Her head fell on his shoulder, and she nuzzled against him. The warmth between them felt so right. He didn’t want to leave her now. He wanted to be here where she needed him, but getting Prescott was the only way she’d really be safe. He had to end this.

“Will you tell me about Alex now?” Mike felt heavy in the chest. Did she still love Alex? He looked at her. Her eyes were weary. His little girl needed rest.

“He isn’t a good person, Avery.” She looked to her lap, and he kissed the side of her head. “But none of that reflects on you, baby.” He couldn’t deny his worry that she still had feelings. “He faked his own death so that you’d think those guys would kill you if you didn’t give them your money.” One of her tears landed on his shirt. He hated Alex at that moment—more than anyone should hate a loser like him. “But he didn’t do it for the money, he did it to save his ass from those thugs.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised. Our whole relationship was a con.” She sounded dejected. “But his death haunted me, and he let me think those guys were going to rape and murder me. How could he be so cruel?” She looked up at Mike, and the pain in her eyes went straight through his heart. Mike wished he could take it away.

“If it helps, he didn’t want you to die. He was coming to save you. He realized he’d made a mistake and wanted you back.” She shook her head at his words. “No, he didn’t. Whatever he told you was a lie. He was going to use me again. He might have wrapped it in a selfless package, but I know the truth. He never loved me. It was always about the money.”

“Aww, baby, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Her mouth hitched up at the side. “He’s a douche, and I have a way better man.” Mike took her chin and kissed her lips. “Yes, you do, and I intend to prove it to you every day.”

“Mm, I like the sound of that, Daddy.” She snuggled into his chest. “Where are they all now?

“Alex took off, so I don’t know where he is, but the other two are dead.”

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