After last year, when we went through a horrific situation with Claudina and Juliette, we’ll all be on high alert for the rest of our lives.
I can hear that he’s getting out of bed and moving quickly. “What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?”
“I didn’t go to London. Just…get home immediately, okay?” I hang up, and don’t worry about the panic I’ve just instilled in him.
I need to check on my goddess.
I stand in the doorway and watch Maddie and Skye sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the storm building around us.
My shoulder rests against the doorjamb. I close my eyes as frustration burns behind them.
Who the fuck is this guy, and what does he want?
Sabotage is not new to the Davenport family. But why would anyone come after me, Maddie, or even Leo?
My phone buzzes, and I see it’s an unknown number.
Unknown: It’s Danny Mitchell from Scott Security. Giving you a heads-up that we’re requesting all video footage from your building and will be questioning your neighbor, Owen.
Thanks.
Danny—Security: After review, if we don’t have the right angles, we’ll go to the city for their cameras.
Fuck.
They cannot go to the city if Matteo’s family gets involved.
I quietly step out of the bedroom and ease the door shut behind me before crossing the living room and dialing Danny.
He picks up immediately.
“Hi.”
“Listen, I know you’re doing your job?—”
“We’re aware of your friend’s family,” he cuts in calmly. “I’ve worked with Ethan for a long time. We’re good friends. You can trust me.” I stop pacing. “If it comes to pulling city footage, we won’t name you. It goes through as a private client request. We’ve got an understanding with the NYPD. We scratch their backs, they scratch ours.”
I blow out a breath of relief. “Got it.”
“Talk soon.”
“Wait. I had Ethan do a background check on one of my employees, Lincoln Sutherland. I’ve never had an issue with him until Madeline joined our company. He might have a vendetta against her since he believes his seniority at the company guarantees him projects that Maddie has been selected for.”
“Is he right?”
“What?”
“I’m not trying to accuse you, but we need to know facts to see what angle to play.”
I know the answer to this without thinking twice. “He is completely in the wrong. Maddie has built a strong reputation and is one of our best architects. Better than me, better than Lincoln.”
“Got it. That’s all I needed to know.”
The line clicks dead, and I begin pacing the length of the downstairs, going through my mind’s Rolodex.
There’s no one else I can think of, and I know now what I have to do, and I’m dreading it.
I dial a number I’ve known by heart for more than half my life.
