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I nod slowly. River is the best person to have there. If anyone can follow a trail without attracting attention, it’s him. “Has he found anything?”

“Not yet. Dan was reported missing by his office, but there isn’t much information beyond that.”

My jaw tightens. “Keep me updated.”

“You too.”

The call ends. I lower the phone and lift my gaze to Cora’s expectant blue eyes.

“So…”

“Nothing concrete yet. River is in D.C. looking for your dad, and Royal is working on the drive. If there’s something to find, they’ll find it,” I assure her in an earnest tone.

Cora sighs. “I’m confused. How many friends do you have? What do you guys do? And why are you guys the best people to find my dad?”

I watch her silently, thinking of the best way to explain without saying too much. “Three. Raiden, River, and Royal. The four of us own a tattoo shop, and on the side, we look into...crimes.”

Cora frowns. “Like private detectives?”

“Something like that.” Before she can probe further, I gesture in the general direction of the apartment. “Why don’t I show you around like I promised?” I turn to face the open layout. “That’s the kitchen and dining room.”

She gives me a long, skeptical look before walking farther into the room and turning toward the kitchen.

“It feels bigger than I expected.”

“That’s because there aren’t many walls,” I reply.

She looks back at me. “You don’t like them?”

“Not really.”

“Why?”

I go to stand beside the couch. “Spent enough time in places where space was limited.”

She studies me and I feel compelled to explain.

“In the military, I got used to knowing where every exit was, how much room I had to move, and what was around me. Closed-in spaces aren’t exactly my favorite anymore.”

Her expression softens. “I can understand that.”

I look around the apartment. From where I’m standing, I can see most of the apartment without moving. And I prefer it that way.

Cora walks toward the kitchen counter. “I like it.”

“I’m glad.” I turn to face her. “Come on. Let’s move to the next room.”

She smiles at me, her blue eyes brightening like neon lights. Fuck.

That smile hits me harder than it should. I turn before she notices. The attraction has been there since I opened her dorm room door. It had been immediate. Violent.

One look at her standing there in that tiny room with her big blue eyes, expressive face, and the bright energy that practically spilled out of her even while she was scared, and my body had reacted in a way I immediately ignored.

Or tried to.

It doesn’t help that Cora isn’t the kind of woman I can avoid noticing. She moves like she belongs wherever she is. Talks without hesitation. And seems completely incapable of hiding what she thinks. Even now, with her father missing and her entire life turned upside down, she still finds time to challenge me.

The situation is a damn mess. The timing is worse. And the fact that I’m attracted to my friend’s twenty-year-old daughter is something I need to get the hell over. So I force my attention back to the apartment and continue the tour.