Why do I care?
Let’s just say we all have secrets of our own, and some are best left buried six feet under.
I owe him.
And his cause is justifiable. I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t.
I do still have morals.
Besides, if I don’t help the girls, they could still be in danger. And our local police force is no match for the mafia—Dante’s or anyone else’s, for that matter.
And I’m convinced whoever trafficked the girls brings far more trouble than Dante would think to bring to town. To me, it wreaks of the cartel, but it could be an opposing mafia family or bratva pushing into the area.
I’m staying out of the dirty details. I don’t want to dig up dirt on an investigation that could get my men and my family in further danger.
Protecting the girls, though, it’s a noble pursuit, which is why I agreed to it.
“Why did you bring my mom back to town?” Bristol stares at me while I focus on the road.
“Isn’t that something you should ask your mother?” I glance at her briefly.
The girl has a bit of hostility and quite clearly a temper under that quiet persona I’ve seen the past couple of months at the office.
“I’m asking you,” Bristol glares.
Fair enough. I don’t have any reason to keep secrets regarding Emerson coming back to work in our main office.
“She requested a transfer and to close the New York field office where we operate.”
“No,” Bristol gasps. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“She would if she were concerned about you.” Had she not realized the entire reason Emerson chose to move out to Breckenridge was to be closer to her daughter? To watch over her?
It couldn’t have been easy being apart from her husband, but they make it work. I’d do anything for my children, Izzie and Olivia. They’re both grown, twenty-three and twenty, but they’re still my children.
“Why would she be concerned…” her voice trails off as my phone rings and my dashboard lights up with the caller’s information.
Kyler Greyson.
“My dad is calling you?”
I haven’t talked to Bristol’s father in quite some time. While Declan had arranged the original contract with him to hire Emerson more than a decade ago, I’d been the one to originally set up his security system in the house prior. We’d met when he was still playing hockey in New York City for the Ice Dragons.
I hit the answer phone button on the steering wheel. “This is Jaxson.”
“You and I will have words if something has happened to my daughter.”
“I’m with her right now if you’d like to talk to her. I’m driving her back to campus.”
“What the hell is going on, Jaxson?” Anger exudes from Kyler’s voice, and I shift in my seat.
“Perhaps your daughter would be the best one to explain everything to you.”
Bristol opens her mouth and then closes it.
I raise an eyebrow at her before returning my full attention to the road.
“I just had a dizzy spell at the hotel.” Bristol exhales loudly and folds her arms across her chest. “I’m fine. You don’t need to be calling my boss asking about me, Dad.”
