Page 53 of Boss Daddy

She takes one deep breath after another, the kind of worry only a mother is capable of painting her face. “I just… I don’t know what’s going on. One minute I’m in bed, the next, the hospital’s calling, telling me something happened to my baby girl. I—”

“Tiffany’s hurt, but she’s going to be OK.”

She takes one slow breath, then another. “I’m Linda,” she says. “Tiffany’s mother. My husband is parking the car.”

Erin steps forward, calm radiating off her. She’d been so worried just a short time ago, but that’s gone now. Her calming instincts have kicked in for Tiffany’s mom.She understands she doesn’t have the luxury of fear anymore—Tiffany’s mother needs calm and strength.

“Hi, Linda,” she says, holding out her hand. “I’m Erin, a friend of Tiffany’s. We met briefly once before. I’m the one who found her.”

Linda hesitates, then takes Erin’s hand, her grip weak. Erin gently guides her to one of the chairs in the waiting area.

“Here’s what we know. Tiffany was attacked. We found her outside the nightclub where I work,” Erin says, kneeling beside Linda so they’re at eye level. “The doctors said one of her lungs is punctured and she has a concussion, but they’re taking good care of her and you should be able to see her soon.”

Linda’s hand flies to her mouth as a sob breaks free. “Attacked? By whom? Why? She’s never hurt anyone. Who would do this?”

Erin sucks in a breath before continuing. “We don’t know all the details yet, but I promise, the doctors are doing everything they can. She’s in good hands. The police should be here soon to take a report.”

Linda’s sobs increase, her body trembling as she leans forward. Erin places a hand on her arm, squeezing gently.

“I’ll be here tomorrow to check on her,” she says.

Linda offers a weak smile. She sniffles, wiping a tear away. “Thank you,” she whispers. “Thank you for helping her.”

I stand back, watching Erin with admiration. She’s steady and grounded, the kind of person you want in your corner when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

A nurse approaches and addresses our little group. “Tiffany’s still recovering. When she’s ready for a visit, I’ll let you know.”

A pair of police officers enter the lobby. One of them nods at the nurse. “Ma’am,” he says, “we’re here to take a statement about what happened.”

Linda’s sobs quiet down, her focus shifting to the officers.

We give our brief statement, explaining how we found Tiffany outside the club and brought her to the hospital. Erin doesn’t tell them what Tiffany said about Misha, and I don’t press her.

After we’re done, Erin squeezes Linda’s shoulder one last time before walking over to me, worry etched on her face.

“You handled that well,” I tell her, watching the officers lead Linda out of the room. “Not everyone has what it takes to stay calm in a situation like that.”

“That’s what happens when you grow up in the mob.”

I nod. “Though there’s something else that happens when you grow up like I did,” she adds.

“What’s that?”

“You don’t leave shit like this to the cops. You find the bastards and handle it yourself.”

Chapter 20

Erin

The club is a madhouse.

Just how I like it.

Customers are packed around the bar yelling orders, their voices all blending into one loud din.

I’m moving like a machine, pouring drinks, filling shots and sliding cocktails across the bar. Mark’s working the other end, equally swamped but still managing to crack a joke here and there.

“Two mojitos, a Long Island, and a shot of tequila!” someone shouts.

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