Page 74 of Merciless Protector

“No.” But I did have another question. “Do you know if she’s seen a doctor about the baby?” It had only been a few days, but it was possible.

“I haven’t, but if I hear, I’ll pass it along.”

“Thanks, brother,” I said because our friendship felt that close.

“No problem. You ought to know your nephew loves his shirt.” That made me grin. “He points to it and utters Unc Matty, but I think he’s just repeating what Lizzy says.”

“I wish I’d gotten to see him when I was in New York.”

“Don’t worry. Lizzy will send you enough videos. It’s like you're there.”

That made me think of my kid again. “Hey, I was thinking about buying a place here in Chicago.” My studio didn’t belong to me, and it wasn’t big enough for a couple, let alone a kid. “I’m hoping you can do what you did with your places, so no one knows I own it.”

“What are you looking for?”

I thought for a second. “Three—no four bedrooms and three baths. Something in the city.”

“Not in the suburbs?”

“Not yet. I need to make sure all my enemies are contained before I can sleep easy in an unguarded home. Something in the city for now.”

I knew Tayla wasn’t leaving Chicago. She couldn’t stay a day in New York, and her family, including her little sister, were here. I wanted to be present for my child and that meant living here full time.

“I’ll run a script and see what’s available.”

“I want a doorman and garage access.” After another second, I added, “And near a park, if possible.”

“I figured. A price range?”

“I trust you,” I said.

“I’ll send you what I find.”

That was how we left it. In the meantime, I had to call Griffin and coordinate what we needed to execute the plan. That didn’t mean I’d forgotten about Tayla.

Though I couldn’t speak to her and didn’t want to send a message through Connor or Griffin, that didn’t mean I couldn’t send something.

32

TAYLA

Mom called me the next morning and I didn’t tell her about the shoot-out at my house or how badly the op had gone. Still, she could read me. “Have you seen your therapist?”

“I’m fine,” I said, though I knew I would be required to meet with one before I could return to duty. And that was probably a good thing.

“I know my daughter,” Mom said.

“I’m fine. I want to hear about you.” There would be time to share with her everything when we saw each other, not over the phone.

“I do have news. We won a cruise.” She was so excited and told me all about winning a cruise trip the night before.

“Are you sure this is legit?” I asked her for the second time.

“You worry too much. I called the Disney cruise line directly and confirmed. It’s an amazing all-expenses-paid trip.”

She started to tell me the details, and I stopped her. “Don’t. I’ll be jealous. Just take lots of pictures and be ready to tell me everything when you get home.”

“The prize is worth over fifteen grand. We have the largest stateroom,” Mom gushed. “How lucky are we?”

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