Page 23 of Daddy's Little Sunshine

“Good. How’s the family?”

Genuine delight filled Rico’s eyes when he smiled. “Good. Carla graduates university in May.”

“Fucking really? Goddamn, I feel old.”

“Imagine how I feel,” Rico said with a laugh. “But you didn’t call me to this disgusting joint to make small talk.”

“No. I have a situation.” He explained how he’d found Lainey being attacked in an alley, and the goon squad he’d narrowly escaped in her apartment. “I have to get her out of the city. She’s going to need a new identity, a place to stay, the works.”

Tapping a fingertip against the table, Rico’s dark eyes searched Donovan’s face. “You as well, I assume?”

Donovan shrugged, hoping the gesture didn’t seem as desperate as he suddenly felt. “If you can swing it, but she’s the primary concern. I’ve stayed under the radar this long and I can take care of myself.”

“I’m well aware of your ability to take care of yourself, Donovan. I wouldn’t have employed you to protect my Carla if I wasn’t.”

“I know. Can you make it happen?”

Rico tapped the table again, his eyes carefully empty of emotion. It was a skill Donovan had learned from him years ago. “Yes. It’s going to take a few days to get everything together, but I still have some connections.”

“How much?” Not that any amount was too much where Lainey’s safety was concerned, but he had to consider the extra money it was going to cost to get her set up in a new town. His time with Rico had left him with a nice little nest egg, but new identities and clandestine relocations didn’t come cheap.

Rico’s lip curled with insult. “You think I’ve forgotten that you saved not just my life but my daughter’s as well? I owe you a debt I can never repay. Consider this a small down payment toward that.”

A portion of the weight on his shoulders lifted. “Thanks, man. I could cover it, but if I can avoid any kind of trail connecting me to her, all the better.”

“I’m happy to take care of it, my friend. I’ll have Jimmy contact you when it’s done.”

“Thanks, Rico. I mean it.” He downed the rest of his whiskey. “I better get going. The longer I’m gone, the more time she has to make trouble.”

Rico grinned – an expression Donovan could only remember seeing on the man’s face a handful of times before. “About time you found a woman to keep you on your toes.”

“She’s going to be the death of me, I swear. Oh, before I forget, have you heard anything about this new church that’s starting to make waves? The Church of the Divine Variance or some shit?”

The grin faded, leaving Rico’s eyes flat and cold. “Yes. There are rumors, but I don’t know how true they are.”

Every nerve in Donovan’s body was suddenly on alert. “What kind of rumors?”

“People going to them for help and disappearing. They claim to have hidden them away for their own safety, but I don’t trust them.”

“Yeah. Me neither. If you hear anything else, let me know, would you?”

Rico inclined his head and stood to leave. “Of course.”

“Thanks. For everything.” Because he knew the drill, Donovan waited a full ten minutes after Rico had left before he slid out of the booth and walked out of the bar. He didn’t run, but he came pretty damn close as he made his way back to the apartment. For the first time in years, he had something worth rushing home to.

CHAPTER 11

Lainey

Lainey was on her second bowl of ice cream and her fifth time through the channels on the TV when someone knocked on the door. She set the ice cream on the coffee table and walked to the door, wondering who the hell it could possibly be. Daddy didn’t seem like the sociable type. She snickered at the idea of him sitting around a poker table, gossiping with his buddies. It was probably the man himself, testing her to see if she’d be stupid enough to open the door without checking.

Since she wasn’t stupid, she peeked through the little peephole on the door. Not Daddy, just sweet Ms. Edith from across the hall. Happy to see a friendly face, she reached for the deadbolt, then hesitated. Daddy had been very clear about not opening the door. And the whipping she’d gotten yesterday was still fresh in her mind.

But, really. It was just a sweet old lady. What harm could it do? And Lainey was about bored to death, locked up in this stupid apartment by herself. Unlocking the door, she swung it open and grinned. “Hey, Ms. Edith! What brings you by?”

“I thought you could use some company, dear. May I come in?”

“Umm. Sure, why not?” Stepping aside, she let Ms. Edith in and locked the door behind them. “Want anything to drink? Da – um, there’s some soda and stuff.” Dear God, she’d almost called him Daddy in front of Ms. Edith. How embarrassing would that have been?

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