Page 6 of Dirty Little Vow

“And yet, I’m telling you, that’s what they did.”

“Call Dash. Time is critical. Between his resources and mine, we’ll have a better chance of finding her before it’s too late.”

Too late.

Two words that when put together, cut me into tiny pieces inside. “I’m starting with Gavin. I got confronted by the partners right as she was taken. It feels connected.”

“And you think he’s behind it?”

“My gut says he is. Security is rounding him up.”

“Which is fine. Talk to him, but call Dash first. I’m hanging up to work. Don’t dismiss me on this, Tyler. Time matters.” He disconnects.

I curse and dial Dash. He answers on the first ring. “What’s up, Tyler?”

“I have a problem.Wehave a problem.”

“We?”

“I’ve been digging into the Allen family. They’re—”

“I know who they are. How do they translate to ‘we have a problem’?”

“Hold on. I’m sending you a text.” I remove the phone from my ear and shoot a copy of the text to Dash.

I give him about ten seconds and then say, “You have it?”

He’s remarkably calm as he says, “I have it. What do you know?”

“I think Gavin, my legal counsel, is involved. It’s all connected to my father’s will.”

“Which I’ve heard plenty about. Bella and Allie talk. A lot.”

“I’m aware. I have security taking Gavin into custody with the intent of talking to him.”

“Wait on me. I’m already walking out the door. What else?”

“I have a contractor who’s ex-CIA. He told me he can work with you, and he suggested it was a smart move. Her phone’s not pinging.”

“Text me his number. I’ll be there in five. I need to make a few calls.” He disconnects.

I walk to the credenza on the far wall, pull out a drawer and remove a gun safe, which is protected by a lock. I type in the code, remove the Glock inside, and load ammo. Thank fuck I’m trained, but my biggest fear right now is not finding Bella or her attackers.

My mind flashes back to just this morning. I’d woken up holding her, and just laid there thinking about how lucky I am to have Bella in my life. And how did this become my life, and why did I wait so long to make her mine? We’d made love—not fucked,made love—and then we’d shared some new coffee flavor she’d ordered. She’d watched me in anticipation as I sipped the blend and smiled when I’d approved. Never in my life did I think I’d share little moments like that with a woman and hunger for more. I love Bella like I didn’t know I could love. I should never have opened the can of worms that was the Allen family. I was so damn obsessed over what my father might throw at us, that I didn’t think about the danger I was creating for me and anyone I care about. I did this to her. I created this problem.

My gut feeling told me this was coming.

I was right last night.

Chapter Four

Tyler

Last night…

The room isn’t quite as dark as my father’s heart was when he was living, moonlight streaming through the windows of the bedroom I now share with Bella. I never thought I’d share a bed, let alone a life with a woman, but Bella has changed me, and for the good in every way.

I sit in the chair in the corner with the pup knocked out at my feet, a pair of loose-fitting sweats pulled over my naked body, and a drink in my hand. Just a few feet away, Bella is sleeping like an angel in the bed, her long, blonde hair draped over my pillowcase. I should be in the bed with her, holding her, but all I can think about is my father’s will and his trickery. There is no way he’ll allow me to just be happy with a woman and inherit, no matter what his will might have indicated. Not that I believe he thought me any more capable of love than himself, but he was anything but short-sighted. He’d have a plan to ensure no matter where I turned his hell waited on me. There has been no time in my life that he ever just let me just be happy, and the wake of his death is no different.

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