Page 57 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“I’m afraid he’ll come after you to get to your mom.” Merlot’s father strolled across the room. “I appreciate you calling in your friends. Having highly trained professionals in the area can’t hurt. But I still don’t want you out in that house alone, especially after what we just found out.”

“No offense, Grandpa, but I graduated top of sniper school. No one is getting past me,” Corbin said.

Merlot’s father patted his chest. “Let me first get through the emotions of being called Grandpa, but yeah, no. I won’t allow anyone in my family to be alone.”

“We won’t be. I’ve already heard from two buddies. They are both only two hours away. They will be here by nightfall. One can stand watch here. I’ll put the other man wherever you want. But I can take care of my parents.” Corbin puffed out his chest.

Merlot couldn’t be any prouder.

“What on earth are we talking about?” Talbot came back into the room. She stood next to Merlot.

“Your son has a crazy idea,” Merlot’s father said.

“I beg to differ. I’m good at my job.” Corbin narrowed his stare.

“I’m sure you’re more than capable. But I won’t be sleeping as it is and you’re who I’m most worried about.” His father placed a hand on Corbin’s shoulder. “This is personal and that makes everything different.”

“I respect that, but if he’s coming after us, then let him. No better way to catch him at his own game, than to draw him out.” Corbin arched a brow. “I’d rather force his hand than sit around and wait for him to make the first move.”

“He’s right, Dad,” Merlot said. “Everyone in this family will be safer if Talbot, Corbin, and I are elsewhere. We all know I’m a good shot. So, why sit around and wait for Richard to come to us. Let’s get this over with. Leak the information to Richard. Let him know Daisy’s—”

“That’s your real name?” Corbin interrupted Merlot. “I think I like Talbot better.”

“So do I,” Merlot said. “Anyway, give Richard the intel.”

“I’m not putting your lives in danger,” his father said sternly.

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m tired of living in fear that someday he will find me. My son has his father. His family. I don’t want to lose this again. I won’t let him run me out of the only place that has ever really mattered to me.” Talbot squeezed Merlot’s hand.

“I’ll need forty-eight hours to put a plan into play before you let Richard in on our little secret,” Corbin said. “Until then, we make sure we know where that bastard is.”

“The only problem with that is we don’t know if he has eyes on us,” Merlot said.

“Let me do some recon around the places that everyone is staying. I’ll set up some booby traps. We’ll know if anything wonky is happening. Once I’ve got a team assembled, we’ll set a trap and nail that bastard.” Corbin pulled his mother close. “Trust me.”

“I can live with this plan,” Merlot said. “And it’s my family who’s most at risk. It’s my call, Dad. Not yours.”

His father nodded.

“Then it’s settled,” Merlot said. “And right after this is taken care of, we have a wedding to plan.”

Talbot jerked her head.

“Not ours. My parents. But maybe someday in the near future we can discuss that.”

“I haven’t slept with you in years,” she mumbled. “And the last time that happened, he happened.” She poked Corbin in the arm.

“Jesus, Mom. Too much freaking information, but damn, what the hell are you two waiting for?” Corbin shook his head. “I’ll sleep in my truck tonight to give you some privacy.”

“That’s my boy,” Merlot said.

“Stop. Just freaking stop.” Corbin stormed out of the room.

“Being a parent is kind of fun.” Merlot wrapped his arm around Talbot. “But he’s not sleeping in his truck.”

“You might be sleeping on the sofa if you’re not careful.” She lowered her chin.

“Yes, ma’am.”

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