“Sorry,” Providence said. “Mine went missing yesterday when we were at Summit Point.”
“You two may think you’re being crafty, but you’re raising yet another red flag.”
Three hours later, when Beeker and his team left, Providence and Dakota surveyed the mess.
“It looks like a cyclone ripped through here,” she said. “Let’s put everything back before Sammy gets home.”
Despite the fury coursing through him, he drew her close and kissed her. “Your life has been turned upside down because of me, and the first thing you want to do is protect my daughter. You are an amazing, loving woman. Thank you for putting Sammy first.”
She kissed him back, then broke away to get started. Once they put the kitchen back in order, Dakota retrieved their cell phones from the safe, and called Sin.
“The police showed up with a warrant. If I’m arrested and they don’t set bond, can you take Sammy?”
“Whatever you need,” Sin replied. “I hate that I can’t fix this for you.”
Juanita called to tell Dakota that the police had shown up with a warrant and were combing through his office. “They took some gift basket. I tried stopping them, but they said it was important to the case.”
The vaping kit.Dakota wanted to punch his fist through a fucking wall.
As they were finishing up, Miranda came home.
“The place looks great,” Miranda said after they explained what had happened. “I’m sorry you’re both being put through this.”
“If I’m arrested, you know what to do,” Dakota said.
“Call Sin first, then Maverick,” Miranda replied. “I can keep Sammy here, but I’ll do whatever you think is best.”
“I want to keep her safe and shield her from everything that’s happening.” He raked his fingers down his beard. “At this point, that’s impossible.”
* * *
Providence’s phone rang. She excused herself from the room and answered. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hello, dear. I know you’ve been worried about me. I wanted you to know I’m feeling better.”
“That’s great! I’m so relieved to hear that.”
“Dad and I took a walk around the block. I’ve been so out of it, it felt wonderful to get outside. He told me your bank account was hacked. What can we do to help?”
Providence smiled. This was the mom she knew. The active, energetic spirit who was on top of things and always there for her family. She had to see her mom for herself. “I’ll swing by in a bit.”
“Can’t wait, honey. See you soon.”
Returning to the kitchen, Providence told Dakota about her mom. “I’m going over there now to spend some time with her and my dad. How ‘bout I grab us something for dinner on my way home?”Home.This feels like home.
Dakota’s smile said it all. Somehow, in the midst of everything going wrong, that one word had made things better. “Sounds great, babe.”
At the front door, he draped his arms over her shoulders. “You,” he kissed her, “are the bright spot in all this darkness.”
She kissed him back. “It goes both ways. I’m sorry to bolt. I should be working to ensure we don’t get arrested.”
“I’ll put the squeeze on the lab tech at ALPHA,” Dakota said. “We’re outa time and need to know who’s in that photo.”
“I’ll be back soon.” One more kiss and she was gone.
When she got to her parents’ house, she found them sitting on the screened porch sofa, holding hands. Her mom looked better than she had in weeks, but her dad’s nonstop smile reminded Providence how much he adored her mom.
Her mom rose and hugged her.
