“What lengths will you go to, to protect your daughter?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he snaps.
“Then give me the phone.”
“You’re part of the world I’m protecting her from.”
“I am, but don’t throw me in the same bag as the scum you’ve been chasing your whole life. Unlike them, unlike anyoneelse in this fucked-up world, I’ll happilydietoprotect her. Open your eyes and smell the fucking music.”
The corner of his lip twitches. “My wife used to butcher that saying the same way.”
“I bet I’d get along with her better than you.”
“Yeah, I bet you would.” He inhales a sharp breath, his pain still evident in that sound. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, wiping the sweat glistening around his temples.
“You’re wasting time, Vaughn. You want Hailey to end up like Matthews’ daughter?”
“Of course not. She’s all I have left. I can’t lose her.”
“You won’t.Wewon’t. I’ll bring her back. I have more than enough means and no need to abide by the law. What doyouhave?”
He exhales heavily, his gaze clashing with mine, reluctant acceptance in his eyes. “I have you.” He tosses the phone across the room.
“Good choice,” I say, plucking it from the air. “Now fetch Jeremy.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you’re right.” I set his phone down on the table, tapping the screen twice. “This might be tapped.”
“Then why did you ask for it?!”
I cock an eyebrow, staring him down. He really is an intelligent man. It takes him less than ten seconds to figure it out.
“You wanted me to cave and admit I need your help.”
“Now I know where Hailey gets her analytical mind.” I jut my chin at the door. “We need Jeremy. No time to lose.”
With visible hesitation, he does as instructed. I bet it costs him all his pride to take orders from me, but for Hailey’s sake, he exits the interrogation room.
I press the side button on his phone. My stomach twists into elaborate knots when Hailey stares up from the screen, all smiles and blue eyes.
We’ve been together for weeks, but other than the headshot Rhett gave me, I don’t have a single picture of her. Hundreds of her diary, but not one of her pretty, radiant face. The headshot doesn’t capture that innocence I love so much and the fire burning within.
Vaughn’s phone wallpaper does a better job, though I’d rather have a picture taken seconds after I make her come. The satisfaction sparkling in her eyes, the bliss painting her face, the multitude of emotions visible in her exhausted smile.
When she’s back and mine again, I’ll spend my days photographing her when she least expects it.
The door swings open and Jeremy walks in, shoulders squared back and a look of superiority crossing his features when his eyes catch mine.
“Looks like I underestimated you, Beckett,” he denotes, purposefully glancing at Vaughn. “Had I known you were so persuasive, I would’ve paid you more attention.”
“Lesson learned. I need your phone. And get Foley in here. He should make a show of dismissing the charges before I walk out, don’t you think?”
Jeremy nods, pulling two phones out of his pockets. He pushes the one he uses strictly for Dante my way. The other stays in his hand to call Foley.
From memory, I tap in a number, press the cell to my ear and lower the call volume so Vaughn can’t eavesdrop. It takes half a dial tone before Ryder picks up.
“Hello?”
