Page 62 of No Lies No Promises

Sean hangs up, drags a hand across his short beard, then shakes his head. “I don’t think he took her.”

Shit. That leaves Jeff Pearson, a disgruntled Parkhaven investor… or Liam Boyle.

“It’s not your father, it’s mine.” Certainty settles in my gut. “The AI voice said to swap me for them. It’s the only way.”

Ignoring their glares, I lift the secret flip phone into the air. “Becks isn’t answering my text. We have an understanding. She would’ve if she could’ve.”

“Dammit!” My ex-fiancé slams his chair into the wall and storms out, taking my heart with him.

Chapter 32

Sean

What the actual fuck? I need a walk—some air. Do something. Anything. In the kitchenette, I snatch a bottle of water before heading to the basement.

Mace beats me to the gym. He’s pounding the boxing bag as if it murdered his best friend. “You should’ve made Lillian tell you their hiding spot when we had the chance. Now, it’s too late.”

Obviously, he’s never dated a strong-willed woman. Judging from the dark circles under his eyes, he hasn’t slept since they walked out.

“Dante charged me with keeping them safe,” he says. “I let everyone down.”

“No, you were supposed to protect them from outside threats.” Stepping behind the heavy leather, I brace it while he throws another combination. “Nobody expected them to bolt.”

“What if Rebecca left because of me?”

“Did you make a move on her?” My breath hitches. He’d better not have.

Mace holds up his gloved hands. “Jesus. Nothing like that… I sensed a spark, you know? I only asked if she felt it, too.”

“And?”

“She kissed me.” Closing his eyes, he shakes his head.

“I’m not sure I follow.” My fists unclench. Guess I’m not knocking him out after all.

“Then she ghosted me. Still won’t talk about it.”

“She’s young.” Who the hell died and made me his shrink?

While I look for the nearest exit, he nods like we’re ready to trade friendship bracelets and braid hair. “I’ve got six years on her, but she’s not a kid. I get the feeling she’s been through some shit.”

“Did she tell you anything about her past?” It’s not my tale to tell, but I can give him a quick summary.

“I read the report. Doesn’t matter if her father’s a crime boss. Nothing matters except finding her before she gets hurt.” He hammers the leather so hard it shoves me back a step.

Bracing my feet, I lean into it. “The file isn’t the whole story. Those sisters have spent their entire lives running from Boyle, who, by the way, isn’t actually your girlfriend’s father.”

I swing the hanging bag at him. “Hold it. My turn.”

“Boyle is obsessed.” Shifting my stance, I strike with a flurry of straight punches. “He wants an heir he can control. He’s probably had people watching the building, waiting for one of us to make a mistake.”

“And now he has them.” Mace grunts as I drive my knee into the target.

“Perhaps, but perhaps not. Rebecca didn’t respond to her burner, but there could be lots of reasons.” I pause, giving him a chance to catch his breath. “Lillian doesn’t trust anyone, including me.”

“I guess it makes sense.” The man hardly knows her, yet something about what he says rings true.

“Does it?” My right hook sends the bag swinging.