Page 102 of Mob Star

“Next week? Papa, he just got you injured, and he wants you healed enough to ride with him? He’s even crazier than we thought.”

“I’m more bruised than anything else.”

Thea scowls, and I can tell she gets that expression from her dad. “I’m not all right with that. Not as your daughter, and not as a doctor.”

“That may be, squirt. But they didn’t invite me. They told me. It’s part of that annual tax.”

“He made you lose your job, so he could loan shark you. When you refused his so-called help, he nearly killed you on your bike. And now he wants you to go with him to some meeting that could get you killed.”

I let go of her hand, but she clutches mine. I use my free hand to pull hers off and place it on my thigh. I wrap my arm around her and press her against my side. I won’t be over the top with my PDA, but I kiss the top of her head while I squeeze her upper arm. She rests her head against my shoulder.

“Papa, you can’t do this.” Her voice catches.

God, I wish I could pick her up and put her on my lap. I wish I could slip inside her and hold her until she calms. I wish I could blink and make this all better. But I can’t do any of those things.

“Thea, Sandra, I need to speak to Brandon alone.”

Thea tries to shake her head, but when our gazes meet, tears fill her eyes. She’s guessed what’s happening, but I won’t tell her a thing until Brandon and I speak to my family. I kiss her cheek and whisper to her.

“It’ll work out.”

“But not for the best.” Her voice is equally soft.

I stand when she and her mom do. I risk her parents annoyance when I pull her in for a hug. I kiss her forehead when all I long to do is press my lips to hers.

“Nothing’s planned yet. Don’t panic until there’s a reason to, cailín.”

She nods, and we let go of each other. She follows Sandra from the room. I watch as the door shuts. Then I turn to Brandon.

“I know you killed two men to protect Thea. You shot at me once before. Corey is going to die.”

“And I’d like to be the one to kill him.” Brandon’s so deadpan you’d think he just told you about the weather.

“I can’t promise that, but I can try to make that happen. We need to speak to Dillan. First, I need the truth. How much of a liability are you if you ride with Corey or come with us?”

“I’m pretty banged up, but I’ve been worse. My children haven’t seen that, and Sandra’s only seen it once. It was when she and I were dating. Her reaction was completely justified, but I swore I’d never put her through that again. I’ve stayed away an extra day or two to heal enough to not frighten her. Ally and her brothers were too young to remember, or they were away at college. There were a lot of years Corey left us alone. He’s been pushing harder since Thea turned eighteen.”

“I disliked him but didn’t give him much thought until meeting Thea. Now his days are over because he wants to pimp her out.”

“No one understands that better than me.” Brandon’s gaze bores into me.

“And that’s why I’ll do my best to let you have the kill shot. You don’t need to ask to come along. We both know you are. We need to talk to Dillan about logistics, not permission. I will have to explain things to him, but he’ll get it.”

I pull my phone out and open a group text.

Me

Answer when I call.

They’ll know that means it’s a six-way call.

I dial Dillan first.

“Hey.”

“Hey. Hold on while I get the others.”

I tap Cormac’s contact, and it doesn’t even ring.

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