Page 85 of Sinful Skulls
I leave the two hugging women to it and head up to the house.
Ash waves his spatula in their direction. “Thank fuck you made it. Lexie’s been asking me every five seconds when you were going to get here.”
“The burgers smell good.” I pat him on the back as I pass him. “I’ve got to talk to JD a minute. Keep ‘em busy, will ya?”
Ash salutes me.
When I step inside, JD is rubbing Elizabeth’s shoulders at the counter. I clear my throat, and they both turn toward me at the same time.
“Sorry to intrude. I was just wondering if I could have a minute with JD.”
Elizabeth wipes her hands on a towel. “Yeah, of course. I’ll go see how Ash is doing on the grill.”
She gives me a quick hug on her way out.
I hand JD the wine I brought. He puts it in the refrigerator and then comes back with two beers. He hands me one. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if I could get Anthony’s number.”
His brows jump in surprise. “Anthony? What do you need to talk to him about?”
“It’s Daisy. She’s been having a hard time sleeping, and she told me some things last night. I just want to check it out, you know?”
JD leans back in his chair, looking toward the door. “What did she tell you?”
“She just found out she was adopted. It kind of threw her off. But it’s how she found out that has me concerned. Right after I met her, she left for this fancy art school in Paris. When she got there, the dean of the school told her he was her biologicalfather’s brother. I guess her fucking dad paid for her schooling and everything, and she didn’t even know it. She thought she had a scholarship. I don’t know, man. It feels like they set her up.”
JD sits up slowly as concern creases his brow. “Her biological father contacted her?”
“Not him. I guess he died in some accident, but this uncle … “ I look over his shoulder to make sure no one is coming. “This uncle did something to her. I can feel it.”
“I’ll take care of it. Write down the name of the school.” He stands and tosses a pen and paper on the table. “What has she told you about him?”
“Nothing other than she thinks her dad and his family are evil, and she doesn’t want to be like them.” I run my fingers through my hair, resting my elbows on the table. Saying it out loud turns my gut. “I haven’t wanted to push her on it. She talks when she talks. I’m trying to be patient.”
JD pushes me back and shoves his hand in the center of my chest. “Listen to me. You keep an eye on her until we figure this out.”
I rub my temples. “Fuck, I’ll kill him, JD. I’ll fucking take him out if he’s hurt her.”
“I understand. I’ve got your back.”
He means it too.
I write the name of the school down for him. “You’ll let me know what you find out?”
“Yeah, let’s meet up tomorrow over at the warehouse. Elizabeth is going over to help Lily in town around nine. Does that work for you?”
I sigh in relief. “Fuck yeah, I appreciate it, man. I really do. Daisy is heading over there in the morning too.”
He slaps me on the back. “Good, yeah, that will be good.” JD walks away from me, pulling his phone to his ear. “Get back outthere and give me a minute.” He shakes his phone, letting me know he wants to keep his call on the down low. “And make sure Ash doesn’t burn my fucking steak.”
I do as he asks, knowing he’s a man of his word. He’s already on it. JD is one of the best fucking dudes I know. Fuck, I sure hope his friend Anthony is as good as they say, and he can get me some answers.
Elizabeth stands when I walk out. She tries to slip past me into the house, but I wrap my arm around her shoulders, guiding her over to her greenhouse. Lexie and Daisy follow just like I thought they would.
“Whatcha got growing in this thing?”
She looks back at the house. “You know, the usual. Flowers and plants.”
