“Treyhad those files,” he says, disbelief underscoring his tone, when I’ve finished updating him.
I nod. “You know what they are?”
He stands, lifting the top of the lid and pulling out a couple files. He rifles through them, cussing under his breath. “These are highly classified Homeland Security files that were stolen from an operative’s house in January. Guy was found dead. His house ransacked. The head of Homeland Security reached out to VERO to help recover the stolen files.”
“What’s on them?” Theo asks, plonking into the seat beside me.
“Intel on terrorists that had national security implications. That’s all I know.” He puts the files away, replacing the lid.
“Why did my dad have them?”
He leans his elbows on top of the box. “It was widely believed The Sainthood was behind the killing and the theft, so my guess is your father stole them from Sinner.”
“Is this why they killed him?”
“Honestly, Lo. I don’t know.” Strain is etched across Diesel’s face. “I can’t help feeling there is more to this than we think. That it’s way more complicated and it goes deeper than we suspect.”
“Should we keep them here?” Galen asks.
“Fuck no.” Diesel vehemently shakes his head. “That’d be like sitting on a volcano that’s about to erupt.” He stares at me. “Handing these to VERO is the right call, and it will buy us goodwill. I’ll say you only just found them, and you came straight to me.”
“Are you sure this is the right play?” Saint asks, worry etched upon his handsome face.
“I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise.” Diesel drills him with a look.
“Okay. Do it. Set it all up, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as Sinner puts things in motion,” I say.
“What about your other tasks?” Diesel asks.
“Lowell Academy is done, and Sinner won’t be getting his grabby hands on Lo because we have a solution,” Saint supplies.
A solution I still know nothing about.
Diesel arches a brow, and Saint smirks. “You don’t need to know the specifics,” he says. “Trust we have it handled and focus on doing your part.”
A muscle clenches in Diesel’s jaw, but he refrains from lashing out, which I guess is progress. “Walk me out?” He stares at me, and I nod.
“You sure you want to do it like this?” he asks after he’s put the box in the back of his vehicle.
“I don’t see how we’ve any other choice. Things are escalating with Sinner. He’s reckless and unpredictable, and he’ll hurt Mom even more if I don’t look like I’m playing ball.”
“He’s hurting her?” Diesel asks, concern blazing in his eyes.
“He’s hitting her, and she’s letting him.”
He shakes his head. “You want me to talk to her?”
“No. She won’t thank me for interfering. What you’re doing now is the best way to help.”
“Okay, but if anything changes, you let me know.” He wraps his arms around me, and I rest my head on his chest. “Take care, sweetheart.” He kisses the top of my head before letting me go.
“You too.” I step back, waving as he drives away. I turn around, unsurprised to see Saint standing in the doorway.
“I hope we’ve done the right thing,” he says, looking even more worried than before.
“Me too,” I concede, because there are no guarantees.
He opens his arms, and I fall into them, closing my eyes as he cradles me to his chest. “I can’t bear the thought of anything else happening to you,” he admits, holding me close.
