Page 18 of The Vigilant

“He was at Shazad’s party that night…” I said low as though Harm of all people needed the reminder that it was Remington that had not only saved Daria, but then delivered her villainous father to the FBI.

“I honestly don’t know. I’ll see what Rob thinks,” he said, but his locked jaw wouldn’t release.

We both knew the fifth and final member of our vigilante club was the most secretive of us all. Especially when it came to Damon Remington.

My eyes flicked to my phone, wondering if Sutton had messaged me again.We all had our own secrets.

“I’ll keep working on this and let you know what I find.”

“Thanks. I’ll do the same,” he replied, typing out a message as he exited the office.

“Yeah,” I said low as the door closed behind him. I tipped my head back and covered my eyes. Shazad…Belmont…Remington…

Sutton.

Crystal blue eyes stared back through the ether of my thoughts. Her lips parted as she freed the tie of that damn robe she’d sauntered around in, the silk slipping right off her shoulders as she stepped into the hot tub?—

“Fuck,” I growled and sat up straight, my cock officially hard as a fucking rock again.

This time, I didn’t adjust it. I let the pain punish me as I grabbed my earbuds and went to work. Just like everything else I’d learned by threat of pain, dismemberment, or death, I’d eventually learn to stop wanting my dead friend’s daughter.

Hours later, I pressed my fingers to my pulsing temples and let out a breath.I’d spent the majority of the day laying hooks on the internet, on news outlets, and on law enforcement databases, and I’d reached out to Talon (again), knowing the list of favors I’d now owe him would be a mile long, and asked if he’d put some feelers out on the dark web for Carson and Shazad.

With frustratingly little to show for it, I turned off my music just as another message from Sutton came through.

What’s the alarm code for the house?

My body tightened, and I quickly replied.

Why? Where do you want to go?

Am I not allowed to leave?

I should’ve known I wouldn’t get the straightforward truth from her.

I don’t think that’s the best idea right now.

And I don’t think Officer Daws told you to keep me prisoner.

I could practically see the fury radiating off every word of her message.

I should’ve taken a beat to think about my response, but she got under my skin. Even with a text message, my cells tingled with ungrounded electricity.

I grunted and typed back.

No, he told me to look out for you, which is exactly what I’m doing.

I owed it to Jon to make sure she was okay more than I owed her her freedom.

The dots appeared as Sutton typed for a second and then vanished. After a few seconds, I swiped out another message.

I’ll be there soon to make dinner.

The dots came back.

I don’t need to be taken care of, Daddy.

Fuck.My dick jolted and swelled.Oh fuck.There were things that made me hard—that turned me on—but this…the idea of this was my kryptonite. I’d never had a woman call medaddybefore because it never crossed my mind until Ryan with his goddamn dare to get our dicks pierced over a conversation about kinks.

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