Page 40 of Next Level
The words ‘both girls’ replays over and over again before exhaustion finally wins, taking me into oblivion.
My phone ringing wakes me. I reach over and see it’s the Port Angeles Police Department. I snap up, shifting Cherry off me and waking her up.
I answer half asleep, “Hello?”
“Ray Amato?” I recognize Officer Wilkerson’s voice.
“Yes, Officer Wilkerson. How can I help you?”
“Um, I wanted to give you a heads up. A man named George Casso just came into the station claiming he’s both the boys’ father and wants information on them,” the officer explains.
“What the fuck?” I shout, becoming fully awake now, not caring that it’s a cop on the other end.
“I agree. I wanted to let you know. I thought it was suspicious that he knew they had been arrested when we hadn’t contacted him. We’ve spoken to the Joneses and the Thompsons. The FBI wants to extradite them to Oakland, where they’ll appear before a judge. The man threw a fit when we told him we couldn’t give out any information on the boys since he wasn’t their legal parent. He had birth certificates and paperwork, but since they were both legally adopted, he had no rights. We told him to go back to California, where the boys would be charged.”
“Motherfucker.” Again, not caring it’s a cop.
“Look, I just wanted to give you a heads up since your daughter said she thinks it had to do with his biological parents, and maybe you’ll recognize the name.”
I’m trying to place the name, but I have no clue. If it did have to do with us, he probably had a different alias he would go by other than his real name. I don’t know. I’ll need to get Zoom on it as soon as I can.
“Mr. Amato?” the officer says, jolting me from my thoughts.
“Thank you. I don’t recognize it, but I’ll definitely look into it. If I find anything, I’ll let you and the Oakland PD know.” I try to sound truthful, but I’m sure he knows damn well that if this is club-related, I won’t be talking to the police anytime soon.
“I understand. I have a daughter a few years younger than yours. I know I’d want to figure out why she was taken. Just keep a lookout for this guy, just in case. I’ll do my best to find out what I can over here. The FBI agent in California will be in touch afterthey get the file from us. I don’t see those boys seeing daylight anytime soon. With their criminal records and the severity of the crime, I don’t see a judge granting them bail. So, just keep an eye out for the father. Also, you’re both clear to head home. If anyone has anything else to ask you, they’ll just give you a call.”
Understanding the cop’s intentions now, I have more respect for him. He seems genuinely concerned, and I appreciate that. Shit, he’s more concerned than any of the Oakland police have been.
“Thank you. I truly mean that. I’ll be in touch with what I find out. It means a lot to me.” I tell him the truth this time. He’s a good cop.
“Okay, I’ll be in touch if we have any new information,” the officer adds.
When I get off the phone, Cherry’s wide-eyed, sitting on the bed with the covers pulled up to her chest, and waiting patiently for me to tell her what happened.
I tell her what the officer said, and when I say the father’s name, her eyebrows furrow together.
“Does the name ring a bell?” I ask.
She answers immediately, “Yes, that’s Garrett’s biological father, but I thought he was in prison.” She pauses, looking down and concentrating. “What does he have to do with Sam? Is he linked to the club?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. I need to call my club.”
I glance at the clock and realize it’s six in the morning.
I have five more hours before I have to let her go.
She’s watching me, and when I put my phone back on the nightstand, she asks, “Are you not going to call them?”
I turn back around to face her. “No, I’m going to have my way with you a few more times before my girl wakes up and I have to drop you off at the airport.”
She seductively glances at me, and I can’t help but smirk.
I know what she’s thinking. I should be calling my club and figuring out who George Casso is, but all I want to do at this moment is to be deep inside her and hear my name fall from her lips as I make her come again and again.
“This can wait a few more hours,” I say, moving under the covers and positioning myself over her again.
“You’re my top priority right now,” I say low and huskily.
