I sigh. "You could hire someone for this. I got you a computer guy for shit like this. It's run-of-the-mill."
"No, it isn't."
I rub my eyes. "So, your computer guy doesn't want the risk either?"
"No, and I got rid of him. Good timing you're going to return to the fold soon."
"Try never."
"I helped you, you owe me. It's how it works."
Fuck me to hell and back. "There's a program Cade and I did for you, one that makes this untraceable. It'd take a special moron to get caught, so this computer guy shouldn't have a problem with it..." I trail off as he shifts a little. "What is it?"
"He left before this came up."
I half rise.
The guy's vetted and good. I don't need dead vetted hackers and computer guys littering the landscape. "You?—"
"Relax. He's on loan to Uncle Gino. Now, about you returning to the business..."
"Dad, do you know how fucked in the head you sound? Lyndall's your daughter, you shouldn't need repaying for helping me on something you should have gone and done. And if you didn't want to get your hands dirty, then you should be happy I got her, not trying to extort me."
"I see an opportunity, I take it."
"Bullshit, Dad." I get my computer out and then move over to his, setting mine up next to it. "You do it for free because, you know, you love her."
Something flickers in my father's eyes, which leaves me questioning how much he knows about the affair.
And does he know Lyndall might not be his daughter?
The thought stays with me on my way home. Because that flash in his eyes was shock, vulnerability, hurt...I don't know. Something I haven't seen in my father.
It made him human, and I'm not sure I like it.
Somehow, it's easier not to like him when he is more of a cartoon villain.
But I banish it as I read through the information that Silas has dug up on Rebecci.
It's good, a trail of lovers, family, some deals that took his special skills to uncover. But nothing I can use. Yet.
I pass it to Cade, who'll know the best people to look into the names on that list.
Something tells me he's not at some cousin's place or hiding out with a chick he banged a few years ago.
Then again, you never know.
When I get home, it's quiet, but apart from a shining moment of panic, I relax.
The place doesn't feel empty.
Besides, none of the people watching have called me or sent out an alert.
I want to race up the stairs to Lola, see if she's waiting in her secretary clothes. I know she wants time, and I'm giving it to her as best I can, keeping the kink sex down to a minimum, but it's fucking hard.
Actually, I tilt my head, listening.
It's a little too quiet.
