Page 14 of Night Moves

Diego smiles, “Babe, it’s you. But we can give you plausible deniability.”

“Please, Diesel. You can’t.” Willow looks at me with worried, pleading eyes. “They’re dangerous. They do things at that club. People are tricked. You could be hurt. And… and Eizlee needs you.”

“That’s why I need you to stay here and take care of her until this is over. I will pay you. The company says it’s all covered. Diego and Raven will keep an eye on you and everything you need will be brought to you. I know you like to go to the park, but for now I need you to stay put unless Diego or I can take you. This shouldn’t take long. We just need to get photos of this guy Ryrden and see who he really is.”

“What’s your plan to get in?” Raven asks.

“They still have my poster up, which surprised me, but it makes it easier. I’ll shave off my beard and go in like I’m reliving the good old days. Hint that I’m thinking of opening my own place. See if they’d like me to headline a couple nights for them to build my hype.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed. And then who is Eizlee going to have?” Willow pushes from her chair and heads to the baby’s room.

CHAPTER8

Willow

I can’t do this. I can’t believe he’s even thinking of putting himself in this kind of danger. He doesn’t understand.

Tell him.

Lifting Eizlee Jane from her bed, I sit in the chair and slowly rock. Diesel nudges the door slightly open, sees me with her, and backs away. I knew he wouldn’t disturb nap time, and I need to think.

Ryrden is more dangerous than they know. He’s a drug broker and pusher. A killer. A rapist and sexual deviant. He has no conscience and the sweetest most sincere face and demeanor to reel the innocents in. No one can resist him or see through his façade. Until it’s too late.

What am I going to do? How can I tell them without exposing myself? If Diesel knew, he surely wouldn’t leave Eizlee Jane with me.

How many more people have to die?

I rock back and forth, lost in the past, fearful of the future. When my little one starts to stir, I change her then we make our way to the kitchen for her meal.

Diesel is at the counter working on his laptop and glances up. “I’ve got lunch ready. You can sit her in the highchair.”

He pours tomato soup into mugs and some of the same in a sippy cup, adding cold milk to make it the right temperature for her. Then pulls a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches from the oven and cuts Eizlee’s into eight small strips before giving her a tiny bowl of soup for dipping. She’s in her highchair smacking the tray crying, “Sticks, D. Wan’ sticks, D.”

He chuckles. “Got em’, baby girl.’

“Sticks?” I look at him. “Since Christmas she’s been asking for sticks. I couldn’t figure out what she wanted. We were both frustrated.”

“I made them for her while I was visiting. The wife of one of the guys on the team did this for their kid and that’s what they called them. I’m kind of surprised she remembered.”

“She’s a little sponge.”

“And a heart stealer.” He taps her nose. “Eat up so we can play.”

He turns to me. “You, too. After lunch we’re going on the roof. Diego said there are some chairs and a little grass area where she can get some fresh air and run around. Access is restricted, but he doesn’t want you going up without one of us.”

“So, you’re going through with this?”

“Yes. Willow, it’s an easy job. I just need photos for Raven. Then I’m out.”

“When?”

“In a couple days. The company I work for, HARDCORE Security, has an office in Maryland and one in Love Beach, South Carolina. They’re sending one of our guys to watch over you and Eizlee when I can’t be here. Diego is going to be backup for me on the street and we’ve got another agent who’s trying to get a job as a waiter at the club.”

We eat in silence. I can barely swallow. What am I going to do? Carl and Ryrden run their little scam like a tag team. Carl is the muscle and brute, Ryrden is ‘too nice to be real’. It didn’t take me long to piss Ryrden off. I knew I had to get out of there, I just waited too long.

They killed your friend.

“Eat, Willow. You’ve barely touched your food.” He covers my hand with his. “It’s going to be okay. Trust me.”

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