Page 22 of Stolen Sun

The cemetery has golf carts at the main entrance for people to drive if their family members are far from the parking lot. Mom is buried a decent walk in, so I pause and notice one is missing.

“Let’s walk it, Dec,” Dad says, interrupting my thoughts.

I nod in agreement, and we set off down the main path. When we get to Mom’s gravesite, he sits on the bench I had put here just for him and pats the spot beside him. I sit down, facing her headstone as he talks to her about all the day-to-day shit he wants to tell her about since he’s been here last.

“Love, you’d be so proud of our boy,” he rambles. “Well, he’s all grown up into a man now, but anyway. He’s here with me today. Took his old manto breakfast this morning. I’ll admit I needed sobering up, love, I’m sorry about that.” He rambles on about me and how boring retirement has been.

At least fifteen minutes pass before a golf cart is driving toward us on the main path. When she closes the distance, I stand. She slows down when she sees me and comes to a stop behind the bench.

“Declan?” She asks in confusion.

“Hey sunshine,” I say in greeting and walk over to offer her my hand.

Taking it, she steps out of the golf cart just as Dad stands to see her.

“Sunshine, huh?” He asks, walking over to meet her.

She smiles and says, “Noel, actually,” holding out her hand to him.

He stands straighter and shakes her hand. “Levi Adams, love. It’s nice to finally meet you.” He gestures to my mother’s headstone and adds, “This is my wife, Diana.”

Noel looks between my father and me then at the headstone. Her smile never wavers, and she doesn’t pull her hand away from his when he holds on longer than he should. Instead, she rests her free hand on top of their joined ones and says, “It is so nice to finally meet both of you as well.”

Dad invites her to sit on the bench, and she graciously agrees. I stand back and watch the interesting exchange between the two of them. He tells her a few things about Mom, his favorite subject, and she listens intently. Some of what he tells her she already knows, but she goes along with it as though it's all new information. Eventually, he asks what brings her to the cemetery, and she shares with him that her husband died six months ago.

When the conversation between them finally lulls, I say, “Dad, we should be going.”

Noel stands first, setting her left hand on the back of the bench to steady herself as she walks across the uneven ground. I notice her ring is gone.Good girl.I offer her my hand while Dad stays on the bench.

Just before she letsgo of my hand to get back into the golf cart, I rub her bare finger to let her know I noticed the missing ring.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say and wink.

She bites her bottom lip to hide a smile. “See you tomorrow,” she says and drives away.

I find myself watching her drive off just to watch the way the sun halos around her body and her hair blowing behind her. Dad stands and walks to the golf cart path where I’m still rooted in place.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asks

“It’s only just begun," I reply.

“How can I help?” He asks, knowing what I’m up against.

I raise an eyebrow at him.

“I won’t drink another drop until it’s done,” he says.

I nod, and we walk back to the truck. His involvement will complicate things, but it does give me leverage with Isaiah Canton. And if it stops Dad's drinking for a while, I’ll take it.

Instead of taking him home, I bring Dad back to the office. When we pull into Velocity’s parking lot, he looks at me confused. I get out of the truck and walk toward the door knowing he will follow and would rather explain inside. Sure enough, he’s on my heels by the time I cross the lobby.

“Claire Morris, meet Levi Adams, my father. Dad, this is Claire Morris. She will help you fill out your application. Claire, set him up in the office next to mine. He’s going to be our new accountant,” I explain the turn of events to both of them at once then walk into my office and shut the door.

Chance, my head of security, managed to get his hands on several of Nate Williams’ files—mostly from Nate’s wealthiest clients. After going throughthem the past week, I finally found proof to back up my hunch. Nate was involved with Isaiah Canton’s very exclusive business, the Cordeliers Gentleman’s Club.

I need to figure out how deep his involvement ran sooner rather than later. It won’t take long for Daddy Dearest to find out I’m back in Noel's life, and I need some answers before he does. Now that I know Isaiah is in need of someone to help with his finances again, I may need to reconsider his request for my services.

After Dad is settled in his new office, I step out to go to Cordeliers Gentlemen’s Club to see an old friend. With Isaiah, it’s easier to do things in person.

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