“I know,’’ a low sigh slips my lips, my hand tightening around the steering wheel. My knuckles turn white from the pressure, my jaw clenched tightly. And just for a moment, my eyes close.
Behind the abyss, I can hear her voice. That sweet, soft laughter. The way she called my name, the way the smallest touches were enough to send sparks all throughout my body. Her gorgeous eyes that lit up whenever I was around, and the way her defenses slowly started crumbling when she truly started trusting me.
I saw the raw, unfiltered, and vulnerable side of her. No one else has ever seen her in such a state, and she trusted me enough to show me, to allow me in. She took down her walls, one by one, and let me be the one to protect her from all the harm.
Yet, here I am.
I fucked up.
I let her down.
“Arlo?” Dad’s voice breaks my train of thought, and I open my eyes, swallowing back tears. This isn’t the time or place. I’ll cry all I need to once she’s found safe and sound, after she’s back in my arms.
“Yes?”
“You do know that you can talk to me or to your mother about this, right? We’re all behind you. You have a village, and you’re not alone.’’
The words hit me right in the chest, and it’s as though something’s squeezing the damned organ. With a deep breath, I let out a soft chuckle. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever let anyone see what’s actually going on in my head. Not a single person alive would be able to handle the things my monsters are dealing with.
Except for my perfect butterfly.
“I know.” I clear my throat. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.’’
Dad’s silent for a while, but then he sighs, and I know he won’t press the matter further. All I hear from the other side is his shallow breathing, and although I can’t see him, I can practically form an image of what he’s doing right now — boring holes into the restaurant while we wait for Alexander to leave.
“What’s your theory?”
I lift a brow. “What makes you think I have one?”
“Did I raise a moron?”
The snort that leaves my mouth is accidental. “Definitely not. Perceptive as always.’’
“Duh,” he draws out, the tone bordering on mockery. “Now, tell me.’’
“I’m thinking he’s connected to both Simmons and Adams.’’
“Why?”
“There’s no other reason Adams would be guarding information regarding Hawke like a dog with a bone otherwise. I don’t think Alexander knew about what the two were doing to Blair, but they’re either politically connected, or they’ve known each other since their youth.’’
Dad hums. “Seems plausible. But we’ve gone through any information on Hawke with a fine-tooth comb. Nothing’s come up.’’
“He’s a rich man, Dad. He can make information disappear, which is why I’m taking everything we know about him with a grain of salt.’’
“I spoke with Ekaterina after you left,’’ he says her name with a hint of distaste, though I don’t press. I know Mom absolutely despised the previous Pakhan, Kaya’s father, and there’s also some sort of bad blood there as well. “If Lucas doesn’t find anything, she will by morning.’’
“I hate that she has more resources than us,’’ I mutter under my breath, and Dad chuckles. “We have the best technology.’’
“And connections,’’ he adds. “But still, being the mafia princess opens a lot more doors than you might think. If anything, she’ll find someone who knows something and bring the source directly to us. Or evidence. Don’t worry too much, alright?”
I don’t focus too much on his words, my eyes glued to thescreen. I squint them a little, trying to figure out who the fuck the bastard is meeting with, but I can’t see a damn thing. With a deep breath, as a last attempt to calm myself, I take a quick glance at the other cameras, making sure I have everything covered.
“Also, Arlo,’’ Dad speaks after a couple of minutes of silence. “Noah will kill Nelson.’’
I swallow thickly. “I know. It’s her right to do so. I won’t interfere.’’
“Not that you could stop her wrath from coming,’’ he snorts. “But I’m just telling you in advance. Your mother has a lot of admirable qualities, but patience isn’t one of them.’’
