“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re a fuckin’ detective and shoulda had her back?”
“Fuck you, asshole—”
“Stop!” I bellowed. “Both of you. Stop!”
Luca dragged his hands down his face while Stoney glared at him.
“Why don’t we pull the crate out and see what she put in it?” I suggested.
They nodded and I led them upstairs.
* * *
Later that night, Itucked Felix into bed at the compound, and Stoney read him his favorite book (I’d brought ten from home just in case), then we settled quietly in the alcove with the television on low. Luckily, Fox slept like the dead, so it was unlikely we’d wake him.
I snuggled up against Stoney and sighed. “I can’t believe Ria didn’t tell me about all that evidence.”
We’d discovered a false bottom in the crate and Luca had pulled out audio recordings, notes, and photos of papers Maria had acquired while at a party two years ago. Anything that might have fingerprints or DNA on, she’d bagged and tagged, just like a cop would. I wasn’t sure what Luca was more impressed with, the evidence itself, or hergatheringof the evidence.
“If she’d told you, you’d probably be dead.”
I shivered. “Maybe. Do you think they’ll come back?”
“Until your brother gets this wrapped up, I’m not takin’ any chances. If you’re not here, I’m at your place, or one of my guys is.”
“Okay, honey, I can live with that.” I sighed. “I just don’t know how we’re going to tell my parents.”
“You and Luca can figure that out together. Don’t try to go it alone.”
Felix’s scream had us up and running to him within seconds. Since the kidnapping, his night terrors had gotten worse. I usually climbed into bed with him and he’d sleep through the rest of the night without issue. He saw a counselor once a month to deal with his mom’s death, but I was considering upping his visits. With this new nightmare, my decision was made.
“Hey, baby, I got you,” I crooned, wrapping him in my arms.
“Where’s Stoney?” he asked, sleepily.
“I’m here, bud,” he said, sitting on the bed beside us.
“Can Auntie sleep with you?” he asked.
“I don’t really have a bed that’s big enough,” Stoney said.
“Can you sleep in here with me and Auntie?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“What’s going on, honey?” I asked.
“My dad needs to protect you,” he whispered.
“Why, baby?” I squeezed him gently.
Felix shrugged. “Bad men.”
“I got both of you,” Stoney said. “You never have to be afraid again.”
He scrambled off my lap and onto Stoney’s. “Thanks, Dad.”
Stoney hugged him, and kissed his temple. “You wanna sleep in the bed with me and Auntie?”
