“I’m a homicide detective in the city,” she said. “My mom called me from the hospital. I’ve been looking into the men who attacked your father—and who they’re connected to. The sheriff is glad to have me helping.”
“Connected how?”
“I believe it’s a Colombian cartel working with someone stateside. They’re trying to establish something in this area.”
Copper Cove.
That didn’t sit right.
“They didn’t know I used to be a frogman,” Dad muttered. “I can still handle myself.”
“You shouldn’t have to defend yourself,” Julia said sharply.
“Can we prove it was the cartel?” I asked. “And why here?”
“I haven’t had time to dig deep yet,” she replied, her eyes flicking to me. “And do me a favor—don’t play hero. Let the law handle this.”
That look told me she didn’t trust me not to.
“Can you tell me why you’ve always hated me?” I asked suddenly.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Dad chuckled.
“I don’t hate you, Hawk,” Julia said, clearly startled. “Why would you think that?”
“Because I asked you out three times in high school—and you never even spoke to me.”
She arched a brow. “Don’t you think you had enough girlfriends without adding me to the list?”
With that, she turned and walked out the door.
I watched her go, the echo of unfinished things settling heavy in my chest.
“Still hung up on Julia?” Dad asked.
I shot him a look. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you used to climb that tree out back and watch her ride her horse.”
I laughed despite myself. “Yeah. She’s always been my secret crush.”
“Not much of a secret,” he said. “Your mother and I knew.”
“Did she ever marry?”
“No. She was engaged once. Broke it off a week before the wedding.”
That information landed harder than it should have.
Dad rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving. You hungry?”
Yeah.
But not for food.
2
