Page 41 of Declan's Dove

I do as he asks and put the receiver to my ear.

“Yeah.”

“We need to talk when you get back,” he says ominously.

“O-okay. Is something else wrong?”

“I don’t know yet. But someone has been actively trying to dig into you and Carter online.”

“Shit. Who?”

“We don’t know yet. But someone else has been covering your tracks. Whoever it is, is fucking good too. They’re faster than Tate art covering your shit,” Kayce says, sounding unsure. “Any ideas on who would be looking into you? Or who might cover for you?”

Oh, I have an idea, but I hope like hell I’m wrong.

“No. But I know who may have hired the person covering for me.”

“Fuuuck.” Kayce groans. “You made a deal with the devil, didn’t you?”

“Mm.” It’s all I say, confirming his suspicion.

“Shit. I hope you know what you’re doing.” He groans.

“I don’t. But I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep my son safe.”

“Understood. Just …” He pauses. “Be careful. The devil you know isn’t always better than those you don’t. They’re all evil in their own right.”

Don’t I know it.

“I need to go, Kayce. I need to help Mili get ready to travel.”

“Yeah, all right. See you when you get here.” The line goes dead. The man has never been one for pleasantries or proper phone etiquette.

I put the phone in my pocket and follow Vincenzo down the hall to the room where Mili is being held.

“Do not discuss the plans for Emilia’s care. I’ll let her know in my own time,” Vincenzo says.

“And miss her losing her shit on you for taking away her choices and controlling her life? I would never,” I say sarcastically.

He walks me to her door, then heads to meet Matteo at the end of the hall.

It’s been three days. I’m more than ready to get home to my son. It’s Sunday. Our day to hangout around the house watching tv, playing games, and eating ice cream. Well, he watches tv and plays games while I wash laundry and get us both ready for the week ahead.

I haven’t been able to call Carter. I’ve had to rely on messages through text using the burner phone Matteo gave me. I miss his voice but I know if I call Carter, Declan will get on the phone and he’ll want answers I can’t give him.

I’m sitting in the room with Mili, waiting as Vincenzo’s men scurry about, gathering our things. We’re finally going back to Oakridge today, but until recently, I didn’t know what the plans were from there. Vincenzo has been tight-lipped and Matteo the same.

The doctor came in earlier and gave his recommendations for the next couple of weeks for Mili to rest and be monitored closely, as the ribs will take some time to heal and the concussion can cause issues for a while longer. I’ve offered again to take her home with me and Carter, to which Vincenzo merely grunted and shook his head.

“What does Kayce want you to do?” Mili asks, slowly sitting herself up and leaning against the headboard.

“He says he’ll meet us in Oakridge. He wants to talk further with Vincenzo in person.” I sigh.

“You’re worried,” Mili says, reaching for my hand. I take hers and give it a slight squeeze. “You think the people who hurt me will follow us to Oakridge.” She’s not asking. We’ve been friends long enough, both of us on the run from our own brand of hell, that she knows me too well.

“Someone has been looking into me and Carter, trying to learn more about us.”

“Shit,” Mili hisses. “You think it’s the people who hurt me? But how would they know about you?”

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