Page 126 of The Broken Keys

My stomach twists. “I always knew this day would come.”

“Yes, you did.” His tone is deadly. “When should I expect you?”

“Give me two hours.”

“Don’t be late. I’m already living on pins and needles. I can’t afford any more stress.”

“Understood.”

We hang up and I pull myself together. My nerves are shot. Greg’s summons is just one more thing to add to the list of reasons I should take a vacation far away from California.

But I won’t leave. Not when Livianna is here and might remember what we had. I’ll never leave her again.

I’ve been to Greg’s home dozens of times for business but only one time like this. Their house manager leads me to his office. The same room where we’ve discussed the secrets we both keep.

Greg stands when I enter. He’s aged since the accident—new lines around his eyes and tension in his jaw that wasn’t there before.

“Jaxon.” He gestures to the leather chair across from his desk. “Thank you for coming.”

I sit. “You said you’re ready to collect.”

“I am.” He settles into his own chair, fingers steepled. “You remember the Aspen deal.”

“Of course.” The land between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Prime development territory that another real estate mogul wanted. “You helped me stop the sale of the land and keep my interests protected. What’s that got to do with now?”

Greg leans forward. “I’ve kept your personal life to myself, and like you, I want my interests taken care of.”

“Tell me what you’re asking for.” I rest my ankle on the top of my other knee.

“Find whoever hurt my daughter.”

My pulse kicks up, but I keep my face blank. “The police?—”

“Are useless. They’ve been investigating for days and have nothing. They’re talking about cold cases and dead ends.”

I already know this. Axel’s team has been coordinating with the LAPD, feeding them information while running their own investigation. But I can’t tell Greg that.

“Greg, what makes you think I can do better?”

“You have resources they don’t.” Greg’s eyes bore into mine. “Connections that go deeper than law enforcement. People who can get answers that won’t show up in official reports.”

He’s not wrong. My network spans continents. Former intelligence operatives, private investigators, and tech specialists who can track digital footprints the police would never find.

I tilt my head. “That kind of investigation takes time.”

“I don’t care how long it takes. I want whoever did this to be found. And when you find them, Jaxon, I want you to take care of them.”

The innuendo hangs between us. He’s not seeking justice or prosecution. He’s demanding I take them out.

I meet his gaze. “You understand what you’re asking?”

“Perfectly. My daughter almost died. She’s lost five years of her life. Whoever’s responsible doesn’t get to walk away from that.”

I sit with that for a moment. “Why me?”

“It can’t be me. I’m too close to the project and I’ll be the first one they suspect.”

“I’m in the same position.” It slips out so I backtrack. “I’ve mentored her for over two years. The authorities will?—”