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Frustration wells up in me. “That money is meant to help the women and girls who are his victims, not line his pockets.”
My father’s expression softens. “I know, sweetheart. But we have to play the long game here. Keep his attention far away from that club of yours.”
I know he’s right, even if I hate it. “Fine. I’ll wire over extra this month.” I take a bracing gulp of whiskey. “There was a man outside my townhouse this morning. Casually-dressed. Angry. Glaring. I haven’t seen him before, though.”
Daddy frowns. “Get a photo if you see him again, and I’ll take care of it.”
I nod. “Will do. In the meantime, we need to get Sienna out.”
“Miami or LA are both ready for her,” he confirms. “Though Los Angeles may be easier if she wants to leave the country. The ports are less stringent in monitoring exports.”
I nod slowly, considering. “I’ll ask what she prefers.”
“How is she holding up? Can’t be easy, living in that bunker room indefinitely.”
“As well as can be expected. She’s a tough kid.” I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, gathering my courage. “There’s one more thing you should know. That woman I asked you to look into—Natalie Moreau.” I hesitate, the name tasting sweet on my lips. “She, uh…discovered our operation with Sienna.”
My father’s expression shutters. He takes a measured sip of whiskey. “And what does Ms. Moreau intend to do with that information?”
“Nothing,” I say firmly. An image of Natalie’s hesitant but passionate kiss flashes through my mind. “No, really, Daddy. She’ll keep our secret. I trust her.”
“Completely?”
“One hundred percent.” Saying the words out loud confirms something within me, a certainty I didn’t know I felt.
My father scrutinizes me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Then I’ll trust your judgment.” He chuckles then, a mischievous glint entering his eye. “Especially if she’s a looker who’s put that color into your cheeks.”
I flush on cue, hiding it behind another swallow of whiskey. Still, I can’t deny the spark of possibility I feel whenever I think of Natalie. For the first time in a long while, I feel a flame of hope kindling inside me.
“We’ll see,” I reply evasively, but my father just laughs knowingly. He’s always been able to read me like a book. An annoying trait when I was teenager, but now an oddly comforting one.
He raises his glass. “To Sienna, and her new life.”
“Her new life,” I echo.
We talk a little more, and then we go into the house to have dinner with Ma, who manages to find a few more things to criticize about me before it’s time to leave, but then hugs me as warmly as ever as she says goodnight.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Daddy tells me as he walks me out to my car, “unless you have an early morning tomorrow?”
I wave off his offer as I stand gracefully. “Thanks, Daddy, but I should be getting back. I want to look in at the Ruby tonight.”
He nods, moving forward to fold me in a brief but fierce embrace. His familiar scent comforts me, taking me back to piggyback rides around the garden and quiet conversations on the back porch swing.
“Drive safe, sweetheart,” he murmurs gruffly. “And bring this girl of yours around for dinner sometime. I’d love to meet the woman who finally caught your eye.”
Joy and uncertainty swoop through me in equal measure at the casual invitation. But before I can formulate a response, he pulls back with a playful wink and heads back into the house. I watch him go, mind turning over possibilities.
I’ve never introduced anyone to my parents before.
What would it be like, bringing Natalie here? Introducing her to my parents? The thought terrifies me as much as it sets my heart racing.
When I get back home, the man from this morning is nowhere in sight. Maybe he was just late in hearing orders to back off from Ricci.
Even so, I need to watch myself. Be more careful. If Vince Ricci or anyone else close to the Boss finds out about my secret work, Daddy and I would pay the ultimate price.
CHAPTER19
NATALIE
