“Yeah. I’m good. Sorry to scare you.”
“No, it’s good. I guess I’m feeling out of sorts with you being so far away. You know me. If it isn’t stressing me out, then I’m not controlling the situation.”
Scout chuckled. “At least you’re self-aware. I need a favor.”
Tracker didn’t let him down. “Shoot. I’m free and bored.”
Scout shook his head. Tracker wasn’t the best at doing nothing. The techie of their group had a big brain that needed stimulation. “Can you send a dossier on Clay? He said something today about his past that’s got me curious. You know me; I’m nosy.”
Tracker laughed. “Yeah. Me too. It just so happens I created a file for everyone living with Beau when we first arrived. I won’t take any chances with our family.”
“I figured you had things under control. You always do. You’re the real protector of our group.”
He heard Tracker clicking away on his computer. “That’s high praise coming from you.”
Scout got it. He was the eyes. The first line of defense and the last resort. It was Scout’s job to ensure they never walked into a trap. He was also the one who neutralized the problem if anyone slipped past all their defenses.
“Dossier sent.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll repay the favor anytime you like.”
Tracker snorted, and the call disconnected.
Scout chuckled as he moved to sit at the desk. Scout turned his back to the room, facing the huge monitor with all the camera views. If Clay checked, it would look like he still worked on the camera system. He got comfortable and opened the file. The beginning was pretty standard stuff; still, Scout laughed when he saw Tracker had even included Clay’s height. Tracker was definitely on top of everything.
Clay Bernardi.
That was very Italian and heightened Scout’s curiosity.Twenty-five.
“Damn.” His curse sounded shocked even to Scout’s ears. He had known Clay looked young, but that was still seven years younger than Scout.
Five-foot-eleven.
Scout nodded. He had figured as much. Clay was only slightly shorter than Scout’s six-one.
Born in Italy. Unknown parentage.
Whoa. Scout couldn’t believe even Tracker didn’t know Clay’s parents.
Brought to the U.S. at four years old by a sex-trafficking ring. Rescued by the Russian mob boss, Zander Kapra. Hisorganization, The Kapra Foundation, named and re-homed Clay with Beau and Tabitha Bosi. Where he has lived since.
That explained the missing details. As good as Tracker was, Zander Kapra was not one to toy with. He likely had bots in place that triggered if anyone searched for details on anyone in his sphere.
“You know. Anything you wanted to know about me; you could’ve just asked. I thought you preferred communication.”
Scout startled so hard, he had to catch himself before he toppled from the chair. “Fuck!” He called himself under control. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
A small, humor-filled smile hovered on Clay’s lips. “I’ll bet.” He grabbed a nearby rolling chair. After pulling it to Scout’s side, he sat. His hazel eyes held no animosity. All Scout saw was kindness. “It’s not like I have some secret, shameful roots. I’m also nowhere near the only rescue living at Beau’s. Zander and he have a gentleman’s contract of sorts. They work together, using their powerful positions to deter unwanted illegal activities.”
Scout was all the way fascinated. “You said Fabrice and you raised each other. Is he a rescue as well?”
A sexy chuckle fell from Clay’s perfect lips, and goosebumps skittered across Scout’s skin. He was adorable. “No. He’s Pierre’s grandson.”
“The retired chef?”
Clay nodded. “It would probably take you weeks to find out where everyone is from and how they got there. I’m one of the lucky ones. I can’t remember anything about my life before Beau.”
Scout leaned closer. He realized something. Scout could talk to Clay all night. He kind of wanted to do that. “What was it like growing up in that home as a child who wasn’t his?”
