Page 33 of Declan's Dove

And it’s someone who knows the kid. Batman is his favorite superhero.

“I did a sweep. It came back with nothing. My computer’s clean.”

“Then someone’s fucking with you,” Ghost replies. “Who would Violet know that could do something like this?” Ghost’s brows raise as he looks pointedly at me.

“Sadie’s the only other person I know who could pull some shit like this off besides you two and Wyatt,” Mack suggests. “But none of you would do this shit, and Hawk is tracking everything Sadie does on her computers.”

“Fucking hell,” Jake grumbles. “Have we not learned that invading Sadie’s personal life will only lead to her doing even more epically stupid shit—like overriding a security system at a Mafia owned hotel to help my woman nearly get herself fucking killed?”

“Easy, Jake,” Gabe commands. “He has a point, Hawk. But Sadie’s involvement with Avery’s situation was different. Sadie cares for Violet and Carter, sure, but she’s not close to either of them. Not like she is with Avery.”

“Fair point,” Mack says, “But I still wouldn’t write her off. She’s done more for less. All the girl needs is a cause and someone to point her anger at to convince Sadie to do something crazy.”

“What about the Trident?—”

“No,” I cut Hawk off. “Trident doesn’t have anything to do with this.” I give Hawk a look that tells him to shut the fuck up. His eyes narrow, but he gets the hint and says nothing else.

“Who are you two talking about?” Gabe asks, noticing the tension in the room.

“I found a business card in Violet’s apartment for a security company. It looks like they’re the company she used to install her camera system. I don’t think they would have anything to do with fucking with Hawk’s computer.”

Gabe nods, then says, “We can’t rule anyone out at this point. If they’re in security, they may know computers too. Can’t hurt to look into it.”

Fuck.

“Have you tried using another computer?” Ghost asks, texting someone.

Two minutes later, the prospect knocks on the door, handing Ghost’s laptop to him. He’s quick to pull it open and starts tapping away. “Son of a bitch,” He grumbles. He turns his laptop around and the same shit happens on his screen as on Hawk’s.

“So, it’s not just someone fucking with Hawk. It’s someone trying to throw anyone off Violet and Carter’s trail, period,” Jameson explains, smirking.

“What’s funny?” Gabe asks, scowling at the VP.

Jameson shrugs. “I’m intrigued. I’m starting to wonder who Declan’s little bird is. Must be pretty fucking important for someone to go through all this trouble to keep her identity a well-protected secret.”

“What are you getting at?” I tamp down my temper at the way Jameson calls Violet my little bird. She’s my Dove and I don’t like what the hell he’s insinuating.

“What if she’s in WITSEC or something?” Jameson shrugs. “They’d do shit like this to keep her whereabouts hidden.”

“Then she would have a handler, and they wouldn’t let her leave without her kid,” I reply. “She doesn’t have a handler.” As I say the words, I realize I don’t honestly know that I believe them. Kayce could very well be her handler. He has connections to WITSEC and several other government agencies he works with on and off the grid. “And you’re right. If she did, they’d never let her leave the kid behind. He would be their way of keeping control of her.”

“Unless she decided not to go through with whatever they’re asking her to do, and that’s why she left Carter with you,” Jameson says. “You said it yourself. Without Carter, there’s no leverage over Violet.”

Fuck.

CHAPTER NINE

Violet

I didn’t sleep hardly at all last night. I tried to go see Emilia, to sit with her through the night, but Vincenzo’s men wouldn’t let me past the door. If Vincenzo hadn’t come out to tell me about her injuries and the sedatives his doctor administered insuring she would sleep through the night, I would’ve raised hell. But what he said made sense.

Damn him.

Vincenzo’s doctor was able to get a small, portable x-ray machine up here in the middle of the night. Emilia has two fractured ribs, a sprained wrist, and a mild concussion. That’s besides the busted lip and bruised face. The doctor stayed in the room next to Emilia, checking on her throughout the night. By the looks of Vincenzo’s rumpled suit and the bags under his eyes, I’m pretty sure he stayed awake watching her all night, too.

“Good morning, Miss Dupree,” the doctor greets as he exits the room where Mili is resting.

“Good morning. I’m sorry,” I start, “I didn’t catch your name, doctor.”

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