Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
After the call that saved me from making a huge fucking mistake in the closet, I searched for Dahlia to apologize. I found her asleep on the bed. It was no surprise and was a relief, really. The woman had to be exhausted. She’s brave and strong, but the emotional toll of what happened today would weaken even the most seasoned person.
I pulled a blanket over her and came downstairs. Lincoln warned there was little to eat, and he was right, so I ordered a grocery delivery so we could have dinner.
Cooking took my mind off my fuckup in the closet. At least for a while.
I pick up my buzzing phone. “Castelli.”
“Hey, Troy. It’s Ford.”
I set the spoon on a saucer. “How are things?”
“Theo found three cameras inside Dahlia’s house, two of which had audio capabilities. He cut the power to the house before he went in, so whoever’s behind it doesn’t know we know.”
Rage pours through me, making my skin feel too tight for my body.
“Did Theo leave them?” I ask.
“Yes. He had to. If we’d taken them down, they’d know something was amiss. There was a tracker on her car, too.”
“What the fuck, Ford? Who the hell is behind this?”
I turn the burners off and pace the room.
A part of me is furious and feels worthless for not being there to help find the person or people behind this. The other part of me feels grateful to be here, ensuring no one touches Dahlia.
I rack my brain for any details we’ve missed or leads we haven’t picked up on.
“I don’t know yet,” Ford says. “The puzzle pieces are … interesting, to say the least.”
“How?”
“Well, for starters, her father. Do you know how he came into her life? Or when? What prompted that? Joseph Dallo has a storied history and not for anything good. We can’t rule him out. We can’t rule out the people he’s involved with either. There’s a web of characters capable and willing to pull something like this. It’s going to take a bit of time to sort through them. You know how it works.”
“I don’t know much about how Dallo came around. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Do that. We’ve also been digging into her ex-boyfriend, Freddy Henke. Kid’s a dipshit. Up until about a year ago, he was as clean as a whistle. He has a college degree in finance and comes from a good family. They seem to have disowned him after he got hooked on drugs last year. Dahlia was the only stable person in his life. Her neighbor said he saw Freddy drive by late last night, but he didn’t stop.”
I run a hand over my scalp. “What can I do from here?”
“Keep her out of here. You know the drill. Keep her out of harm’s way and let us figure this out.” He pauses. “What’s she doing now?”
“Sleeping. She passed out a few hours ago.”
“That will do her some good. Was everything good when you landed? Had Grey done a check of Lincoln’s house?”
“Yeah. Grey had been here. He did a sweep of everything and rebooted all the systems just like we asked.”
“Great. Okay, well, I was just checking in and seeing how things were going. If you need anything, give one of us a call. And Troy?”
“Yeah?”
Ford hesitates. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. We have things covered here. We’re working every angle. So why don’t you breathe a little? I know you’re technically working, but you aren’t monitoring concerts or your favorite adolescent fans. Surely, you can relax with one grown woman.”
If you only knew … “Sure.”
“I mean it. Do your job but enjoy the time away. I have all the faith in the world that you can do both.”
I stand straight. The silence in the room is unbearable.
There’s a hitch to Ford’s voice that hints at more than he’s saying. Or maybe I’m just self-conscious because I almost kissed Dahlia today like a selfish asshole.
My palm sweats against the phone, and I shift my weight from one foot to the other.
I must get myself together. No more mistakes. She’s my friend and my co-worker—someone I’ve sworn to protect—and I cannot cross that line. And I really can’t cross it when she’s going through so much. I won’t be the guy who takes advantage of a woman in a situation like this. Even if I want her with every fiber of my being.
My stomach clenches.
“Need anything else?” I ask.
“No. That’s it for now. Call me if you need anything, all right?”
“Talk to you later.”
“Goodbye.”
I end the call and set my phone on the counter beside the spoon. The edge of the phone smacks the end of the utensil, sending the dirty spoon flying through the air and smacking me in the side.