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“You’re so much like her.” His whispered words seemed to be pulled reluctantly from his lips.
Without looking away from his granddaughter, he spoke to his guards. “Leave us.”
“Sir?”
At that, his icy gaze moved to the guard who’d dared question him. “I hardly think my granddaughter and Agent Walker are on a suicide mission to kill me. Leave us.”
Flynn wasn’t surprised Pavic knew his identity. The man probably had eyes and ears throughout Houston. He also wasn’t surprised when the door closed behind them a moment later. If these guards wanted to keep their jobs, they’d be smart not to question any orders.
“Catalina. Tessa. Which name do you prefer?”
Flynn heard Tessa blow out a soft breath and she held his hand in a death grip, but she kept her voice steady. “I’m Tessa now. Tessa Flores. I’ve had to leave Catalina behind.”
Pavic nodded. “Is Flores an allusion to your mother’s name?”
“In part. It’s also a tribute to a man who treated me like a daughter.”
That brought a slight frown to Pavic’s face. Probably trying to figure out who Tessa meant. Flynn didn’t have to wonder. Tessa had only spent one day at his ranch, had only met his dad that one time. Marty Walker had made a hell of an impact and Flynn couldn’t be prouder.
Tessa’s voice was soft when she spoke. “Did you order Karlo to kill her? My mother? Your daughter?”
Pavic’s face froze and his frown deepened. “No.”
“Did you order him to kill me?” Her voice hadn’t weakened, her eye contact never wavered.
“No.” Pavic’s gaze stayed steady as well and Flynn believed him. After a few moments, he closed his eyes briefly. Flynn wouldn’t say his stance relaxed, but it softened.
Pavic moved from the desk to a bookshelf and took down a framed photo. He rounded the desk and approached, then offered the photo to Tessa.
“Mama?” Her voice was soft and laden with tears.
Pavic cleared his throat and his voice was thick as well. “Your mama. My Rosa. My beautiful Rosa. You believe Karlo killed her?”
Tessa’s head whipped up. “Yes. He didn’t say it outright, but he said I’d messed up everything by being born. That my mother wanted to take me away and that my father hadn’t written a will to leave everything to the family. He implied he killed them both.”
Pavic’s body language hardened again and his eyes turned to granite. This was the man who’d run an organized outfit for decades. “I see.” Flynn figured Karlo was going to be safer in jail than outside of it.
Pavic paced away and looked out a window for a long moment. When he turned again, his eyes were still angry, but the man tempered his voice for his granddaughter. “I have never been a threat to you. I will never be a threat to you. Go and live your life, Tessa. Live without fear.”
Then Pavic turned to Flynn. “You will make sure she remains safe.”
It wasn’t a question, but Flynn answered it anyway. “With my last breath.”
Pavic nodded. “You will not always be alone in that duty.”
Well, hell, Flynn hadn’t expected an offer of mob protection.
Pavic turned back to Tessa. “I am glad you had the courage to come, but it is best you do not return. Live well, Catalina. Live well.”
Pavic pressed a button on the side of his desk and the door behind them immediately opened. The three guards entered. “See our guests out.”
Tessa offered the frame back, but Pavic shook his head. “Keep it and remember your mama loved you.”
Then he turned and walked behind his desk. The guards ushered them outside and to the car. The gate opened to let them out and then closed immediately behind them.
Neither of them spoke as Flynn drove to his condo. Inside the garage, he turned off the Jeep and angled to see Tessa. She stared straight ahead and gripped the frame like a lifeline.
Flynn moved around the Jeep, opened her door and unbuckled her seatbelt. She startled and looked up at him, eyes full of unshed tears.
