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Yup.
He might have come to terms with the fact that Genny was with Duncan and that was a good thing, he was still totally lonely.
And still kicking himself in the ass.
“I have…something to tell you,” she said.
“What?” he asked warily, since he wasn’t a fan of the way she was speaking.
It was hesitant, unsure, and two things his Chloe was not was either of those.
“Uncle Corey left me something.”
“Sorry?”
“He left me something. After he died.”
Okay, now he got it.
She was always iffy when she talked about a man she knew as loving and supportive, but he’d betrayed them all in a hideous way it was impossible to wrap your head around.
“Right,” he replied. “What was it?”
“A person.”
He wasn’t expecting that.
“A person?”
“A…I don’t know what he is.”
He glanced at her and prompted low, “Chloe.”
“I think he’s…I don’t know, he’s too…sinister to be just a detective. I think he’s a fixer.”
She had his full attention before.
She had that wired now.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“When we get home, I’ll show you. I didn’t know he was amassing it, nor did I ask for it, but he gave me a file. On…well, Dad.”
“Jesus Christ,” Judge bit. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“What’s in this file?”
“It isn’t exactly about Dad. You see, I hired someone myself to…look into…Dad’s lover. The woman he cheated on Mom with.”
“Christ, Chloe,” he muttered.
“But they were…they covered their tracks. My investigator could get no leads. But, we can just say, Corey’s man found everything about her and gave it to me.”
Judge said nothing because he couldn’t believe what was coming out of her mouth and he was trying to wrap his head around it.
“The thing is, that’s not Dad…to cheat. She has to be something special. And I thought—”
“You thought you’d find her and fix them up like you interfered with Genny and Duncan.”
What she did with Genny and Duncan was cute because it worked out great.
It could have gone a totally different way though.
Like this could.
“I didn’t interfere,” she shot back. “I’d categorize it more like a…nudge.”
Like she wanted to “prod” his father into “socializing.”
Fucking hell.
“Regardless of the outcome, I’m not sure Genny would feel the same way. Duncan dotes on you, and he’s beside himself Genny is back in his life. But if you weren’t you, Duncan might not feel that way either.”
He knew she’d turned to him when she said his name.
“Judge.”
“Burn that file.”
“Judge!” she snapped.
“And tell this guy to take a hike.”
“I didn’t ask him to help. I actually don’t know how he knew I was looking for her. Unless he’s…keeping tabs on me.”
“Fucking shit,” Judge bit. “Are you serious right now?”
“Judge, don’t overreact. This is very Uncle Corey.”
“Don’t overreact when you tell me some sinister fixer is keeping tabs on you and giving you files on people in your dad’s life he took pains to keep private?”
“It doesn’t sound good when it’s put that way,” she griped.
“That’s because it’s not good, Chloe.”
“I think I should call him,” she stated snootily.
“Do not do that.”
“Dad can’t have dinner every Saturday with one of his daughters.”
“Like your sister, and your brother, your father is a grown-ass man who can sort out his own life. And newsflash, doll, if he was sitting right here, he’d tell you the same thing.”
“Sasha and Matt’s issues are not the same as Dad’s. Sometimes people need a little…push.”
“This is a very bad idea,” he told her, then something occurred to him. “Has this guy given you info on me?”
“No. Which I assume means Uncle Corey would approve of you, and obviously, I must concur.”
“So your research on me was your own.”
“Totally.”
At least there was that.
“Is this all he’s done?”
“He sent the file and dropped by the shop to…I guess mostly to introduce himself. This was months ago. Before we even got together. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Maybe he’ll fuck off himself,” Judge muttered.
“I’m not sure I want him to,” she replied. “Dad’s lover lives in Phoenix, and I’ve wracked my brain, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to arrange for them to run into each other, or something. It would be best if there was a damsel in distress situation, Dad would be all over that. But she’s irksomely…together. I sense this Rhys guy has skills where he can help.”
Judge took a deep breath.
Then another one.
Then he said, “Chloe, baby, honey, listen very closely to me. Are you listening?”
“Yes, Judge,” she sighed, already knowing what was coming.
He gave it to her anyway.
“Do…not…contact…this…man…or…meddle…in…your father’s…love life. Are you hearing me?”
“I am hearing and listening, Judge. I just don’t know if I agree with you.”
Judge grew silent.
Chloe didn’t.
She blew his argument to smithereens.
“You aren’t close to your father, like I am. You still love him, like I do my own. And it’s base to throw something in your face at any time, but especially during a charged discussion. However, I will remind you that you gave me free rein to meddle in your father’s life. You did this because you’re concerned he’s not coping with the death of his wife. Now tell me, why is it okay for me to interfere with Jameson Oakley, and not Tom Pierce?”
