I roll my eyes in silence and look back at the man.
Jonah clears his throat. “It doesn’t matter what connections he has, Kenna, the guy is going to jail for attempted murder.”
“Attempted murder?” My mind races. I shoot up out of my chair. “Oh my God, is my dad okay?”
“As far as I know, yes. This has nothing to do with your father. Cyrus shot a man named Lionel Sommers. Shot him four times, actually. It’s a miracle the guy even survived.”
My jaw slackens. Heshotsomeone? Cyrus actually shot someone. With a gun.
My blood runs cold. That could have been me. Amelia. Carter or Christian. Maybe the big guy standing off to the sideisa bodyguard. Are they worried Cyrus will come after me next?
“Wh-when did this happen? Is Amelia in danger?”
“Two days ago. And no, your daughter is not in danger. Cyrus is being held in the county jail.”
“Who is the man he shot? That name means nothing to me. Was he a client?”
“He’s an enforcer.”
My brows smash together.
Sensing my confusion, Jonah explains, “An enforcer is someone who collects gambling debts through threats, intimidation, or physical force.”
“Oh my God.” A hand flies to my mouth. “And you’re sure it was Cyrus who was the shooter and not the victim?”
Carter passes me his phone. It’s open to a news article. Actually, several of them. I scroll through them, reading as Jonah tells me more details.
“Apparently, Lionel had been after him for some time. Showing up at Cyrus’s residence. His place of business. His gym. The confrontation happened outside the gym. Kinda lucky for everyone that’s where it happened, too. Had it been at his apartment or office, he may have gotten away with protecting himself on his own turf. But on the public street, it was just one thug shooting another. Cyrus will be going down for this, regardless of whatever self-defense bullshit he tries to sell to the court. Witnesses say this Lionel character wasn’t even attacking him. Not then anyway. Cyrus just snapped.”
I finish reading the last article and look up, my eyes bouncing between Carter, Jonah, and the third guy who I’m still not aware of why he’s here. “Are you… sure?”
“I’m sure. And, Kenna, if that’s not reason enough to help you breathe easier, now might be a good time to tell you Ethan here is a private investigator. One of the best in the business.”
I shoot a condemnatory look in Carter’s direction then state, perhaps a bit too brusquely, “You hired a private investigator?”
Jonah intervenes, sensing my disapproval. “Just friends helping friends, Kenna.” He motions to Ethan. “Tell her what you found out.”
“When I did some digging, I found some very unscrupulous activity regarding Cyrus’s business. My guess is, he’ll be brought up on charges for those things as well. Seems he’s been stealing from clients for years.”
I close my eyes and let the tears fall. “How did I ever let myself get involved with such a monster? Amelia could have been…” I can’t even finish the thought before I break down in Carter’s arms.
“Thanks, guys. I can take it from here.”
I wipe my nose on my shirtsleeve and try to look presentable. “Thank you, Jonah. For everything. You too, Ethan.”
“Sure thing,” Jonah says, studying me intently. “But… I have to ask. Did you really win the lottery?”
I glower at Carter.
“Carter didn’t tell me,” Jonah adds quickly. “In fact,Itoldhim. I mean, he already knew, but when Ethan did more digging into Cyrus, your name came up and he stumbled across that information.”
My eyes soften. Carter really didn’t tell anyone. I feel guilty for even assuming as much.
I nod. “Please don’t say anything. It won’t matter anyway in the long run.”
Jonah looks at me, confused. “Okay, if you say so. And mum’s the word.” He holds out his hand. “It’s been nice meeting you, Kenna. I hope we cross paths again.”
“Thanks. You too.”
