Page 54 of Deadly Target
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It was a sad day when you couldn’t invite your own father back to your place because you were scared of him.
Olivia sat with her dad, staring out at the beach from inside her car. Waves crashed against the rocky shoreline, rain pounding against the windows. The streetlights had already come on, throwing muted light across the dashboard.
Even with the hat and sunglasses, she couldn’t take the chance anyone would recognize him, so she’d driven through the city and to the coastline, where they could sit and see the ocean. A part of her yearned to get as far away from him as possible, but she had to deal with the situation. The question was, how? She was a law enforcement agent and he was a felon breaking parole by leaving the state. She was also his daughter, and no matter what, she wasn’t going to send him back to jail before hearing him out.
Ten years ago, she’d been ready to graduate high school when he’d been arrested. She’d actually had her gown on and was standing in line to walk onstage when the cops pulled up, sirens blaring, and cuffed him there in front of everyone.
He’d missed that and so many other important moments in her life. Not that he’d been around for many previous to his incarceration, but she had held out hope all those years that somehow she could make him change his ways. That by being the perfect daughter, he’d realize how important it was to her that he become a law-abiding citizen and stop killing people.
See how that worked out?
“I thought your hearing wasn’t until Wednesday. How did you get out early?”
“What, you think I escaped?” He started. “Always thinking the worst of me, huh? Now, why would I go to all that trouble if they were planning to parole me?”
“Just answer the question. How is it that you’re sitting here when you should still be in a federal prison in Chicago?”
Her dad looked amused. “I have my ways.”
He acted as if this was a joke, like they were sitting around on a Sunday afternoon teasing each other.
When she didn’t respond other than to glare at him, he relented. “They bumped me up, that’s all. I had my meeting yesterday, and I have friends who owe me plenty of favors. They helped me out.”
Like helping him get to California? Someone probably flew him in on their private jet. “The day after you’re released, you violate parole and cross state lines to come here? I should call your PO.”
“Always one for rules and regulations.” His accent was more Chicago than East Coast. “I came for you, Livvy.”
That was not exactly reassuring. “I don’t need you.”
He reacted like she had slapped him across the face. “You need protection.”
“I need a better explanation, or Iwillcall and report you. I’m breaking the law by not turning you in. They could have my badge for this.”
He leaned his elbows on his knees and stared at the wild ocean for a moment before turning serious eyes on her. “Do you want to take down Gino DeStefano or not?”
Of course she did, but was selling her soul to her own father worth it? He definitely had something up his sleeve, and she doubted it had anything to do with protecting her. “What exactly do you think I need protection from?”
“Not what,who. You’re dealing with dangerous people.”
Tell me something I don’t know.“You’re an expert on them, aren’t you, dad?”
He didn’t like being mocked, especially by his own daughter. His upper lip screwed up and he reared back in the seat. “I’ve made mistakes. Never said I was a saint. But I take care of my own, and I know a few things about what you’re doing. This man you’re using to get information on Gino and Frankie is a dangerous fellow. He’ll stop at nothing to become boss, and he’s using you to help him.”
“Using me?” He had her attention, but she was still reluctant to believe anything he said, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t know Alfie was untrustworthy. “How?”
“How much do you know about Alfonso Barone?”
“You think I don’t know the man I’m working with to take down Gino and Frankie? That I’m gullible and letting him manipulate me?”
“You always did your homework, even when you were a kid. I suppose you know a lot, but like I said, I have friends. Friends in the know about him and what he’s up to.”
Why did every conversation feel like a sparring match? “What’s he up to, Dad?”
“The Suarez Kings weren’t after Henry Valiant, Olivia.”
A sick feeling clawed its way into her stomach. It warred there with apprehension that he was the one manipulating her, like he’d done so many times before. “Enlighten me, then. Who were they there for?”
