“Go on,” he replied easily.
“A man came into Ember’s bakery last night, threatening her. She told me about some issues involving her father she’s been having. The man’s been watching her. So, I was able to track him down, stolen plates and disposable phones, of course, but I was able to get a general location. I was curious if you’d be able to look into it for me. I’m trying to decide how worried I should be about this. Her father’s been known to delve into some more…sketchy places, and this feels like bad news.”
Sliding the folder across the desk to him with everything I had, he flipped it open and started flipping through what I’d gathered.
He hummed as he looked over the maps and cell towers data.
“I don’t know his name, but he works for the Broderick family based on the locations. They’re an old Irish family who started out in Philly, and in the last fifty years or so, they moved out West. Places like California, Colorado, and Nevada. Big interest in gambling, amongotherthings.” He looked up at me from the file. “I’ll be honest, give them whatever they want so they leave your girl alone. Whatever they threatened? They’ll do it if she doesn’t cooperate.”
I sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I was worried about.”
“Did she say what they were asking for?”
“Information on her father.”
Julian chuckled. “Oh, that’s easy enough. Do you know where he is?”
“I have a pretty solid idea.”
“Good. Send the information over before they get restless. Whatever time frame they gave her? She’s got about half of that.” He closed the file and slid it across the desk. “Oh, and Wyatt?”
My eyes landed on his. “Yeah?”
“Don’t leave her alone. Who’s with her right now?”
I smirked. “Theo.”
Julian leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of him as he smiled. “Perfect. Tell your brother this is his first job, and I’ll be in contact with his next.”
I nodded in confirmation because what else was there to say? Glancing down as my phone vibrated, I shook my head as the message popped up.
“Speak of the devil,” I muttered.
Theo: Your girl is not pleased with you bro.
Theo: You didn’t tell her why I was here, did you?
Theo: She thinks I’m stalking her now.
Theo: You owe me.
Me: I got you a job.
“Well, I’m out. I’ve got to go rescue my brother, apparently. I’ll pass on your info,” I said as I stood from his office chair.
“Don’t bother. He has it. I’ll talk to you again soon, I’m sure,” Julian said with a knowing smile.
If I had the brain space, I’d ask what he wanted with my brother and what his plan was—but I didn’t have the brain space. So I wasn’t going there. Theo was easier to interrogate anyway.
32
BURNED & SALTED
Ember
“Why are you here again?”I grumbled.
The man in front of me chuckled. Theo had a boyish charm to him. The kind that you’d see on those teen shows on the CW, where he’d play the cute werewolf who just wanted to be normal and play football.
