Page 217 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“She’s not in danger, per se. And I want to keep it that way.”

“Why me? Why not get Alders to keep a watch on her?”

“E has a job to do. Now that my father has returned, he’s digging up all of my father’s former associates, putting a tail on them. Hopefully, something will pan out.”

“And I don’t have a job?” Copping an attitude, he removes his feet, sitting up with a jerk. “Last I checked, I not only have my regular job, but I’ve been helping you and Eric for two years without so much as a crack in the case. It’s my week with Tori. Unlike you, I actually want my kid full-time, but since that isn’t an option, I’d like to spend every spare minute with her, not babysitting your little sister.”

“You done with that temper tantrum? I mean, unless you’re on Victoria and Mia’s level. If that’s the case, by all means, carry on.”

I don’t have time to get into the details of why I want an extra set of eyes on Caprice. The less anyone knows, the safer she is.

“Fuck you.”

“Bri has that covered. Thanks, though.” I stand, placing my palms on the wooden surface of my home office desk, leaning forward. “CC is great with kids. Use Victoria and tell her you need someone to watch her for a couple of hours this week. It’ll give you an in. Victoria and Mia being cousins, no one will think anything of it with you being a cop.”

“I’m not using my daughter. Are you serious? The last person on earth I want close to your family’s case is Tori.” He pushes out of the chair, standing to his full six-foot height. “You’re a dick for even suggesting it. That tells me this newfound fatherhood isn’t serious for you. If it were, you’d never suggest I use my daughter.”

“Calm the fuck down.” The baby monitor sitting on my desk startles us both when Gabriel cries out, letting me know he’s awake, or is waking up. “You’re taking what I’m saying the wrong way. I’m not asking you to put your daughter in danger. She’s just a great excuse to interact with Caprice without my sister thinking I’m having her watched. That’s it. You don’t even have to go through with CC watching your daughter, just use it as a topic to start up a conversation with Caprice.”

My son cries out again, this time wailing.

“Look, I don’t have anyone else I trust like I do you and E. Even if Eric was an option and not following up on leads, I couldn’t and wouldn’t ask him to do this for me. He’s too close to my past. I don’t need my father thinking or knowing that we’re still friends. If he finds that out, what’s to stop him from digging until he finds out who I’ve really been all these years.”

“Fine. I’ll figure something out, but the first sign of trouble where your sister is concerned, I’m out if there is a chance my daughter’s safety comes into play. I won’t let anything happen to my daughter. Tori is my everything.”

“The first sign of danger and I’ll take it. Whatever it is, I’ll deal with it, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t land on your doorstep. So, you’re in?”

“I guess so.”

“I don’t want her to know I’ve asked you to do this.”

“Yeah, I got that. But I don’t like lying. Lying never turns out good for anyone.”

That’s because he’s a do-gooder, but I’m not going to say that out loud.

“There’s a food truck she frequents every night. It moves from place to place Monday through Friday, but it’s always close to the beach. I’ll send you the info on tracking her car and phone. That’ll tell you where she always is.”

“You have tracking devices on her things?”

Of course I do. The fact that he doesn’t, or at least hasn’t thought about how to track his daughter, especially since she only lives with him half the time is worrisome. Hell, I spent half of last night trying to figure out a way to track my son without implanting a device like one would do to a dog.

I shrug, not answering him. It’s none of his business anyway. I got Bri handled. From him, I just need an extra set of eyes on my little sister. With that out of the way, I can breathe a little easier. The one thing I know about Justin Summers is he’s loyal but fierce. I know I can count on him to keep Caprice safe when I can’t have eyes on her at all times. I’m only one man, and I know my limits, but I won’t risk the safety of those I love.

“Is everything in place where the De Lucas are concerned?” I question, changing the subject.

“E has a tail on Rebecca’s father. So far, nothing.” He shakes his head. “Not even a phone or email between your father and Alessandro De Luca.”

“That we know of,” I add.

“Yeah, too bad you didn’t stick with the original plan by making De Luca’s daughter think you were interested in her.”

“That woman makes my skin crawl. It was all I could take to be in the same room with her, and then you show up with Bri and put your hands on her.” My fist forms into a tight ball, remembering the image of them together.

“Calm your shit. I’m not interested in your woman, man. Although, you didn’t think twice about fucking my marriage up.”

“I gave you an out.”

“Maybe I didn’t want an out. Ever think about that?”

---