Page 115 of Tristano

“I’ll go see her now.” I turn and head for the door.

“We can ride together. I’ll bring you back for your car when we are done.”

I nod, heading toward his instead.

Settling in the passenger seat, all I can think of is that I hope Meredith is okay.

* * *

“This doesn’t make sense.”I stare at the screen as I read the results.

The fingerprints came back, but it’s not any criminal we know.

No, it’s Nigel Henderson. Chief Benjamin Henderson of Jersey City PD’s son.

Why would he be threatening Bash’s kid?

“Who is that?” Lo asks from beside me.

“He’s a cop down in Jersey City and the son of the chief of police there, who also happens to be the man who raised Serena after her grandfather died.”

Lo looks at me suspiciously. “He’s related to your girl?”

“Basically, yeah.”

“This isn’t good,” he murmurs. “We need to tell Bash.”

I follow him out of the home office toward the meeting room where Bash took up residence as he barks orders. We step into the room, waiting for him to get off the phone.

“Make it happen. If anything happens to my daughter, it will be your head on a fucking stake.”

He mashes the button on his phone before turning to us.

“What did you find?”

“We think it’s a police officer in Jersey City.”

“Jersey City, like where your girl is from? You think she’s involved?” he hisses.

“Absolutely not. She’s loyal to us. The cop is someone she knows though. He’s the son of the chief of police,” I admit.

“Fuck me, Tris. You know how bad this looks for her, right? Get her here now.”

I rub the back of my head. I could lie for her, but that would only make her seem guilty. Instead, I opt for the truth knowing my girl is innocent.

“She’s in Jersey City meeting with her uncle.”

Both Lo and Bash mutter curses in Italian.

Before either of them can continue, the door pushes open as a furious Greer storms in, Killian behind her. Greer unstraps the baby on her chest, handing him off to Killian as she gets right in Bash’s face.

“If I ever find out that there is a threat against my niece again, and you didn’t tell me, I will slit your fucking throat in your sleep, you overbearing asshole. I know you don’t fully trust Killian, but that little girl is my flesh and blood. I would burn this world down for her, and if you doubt that for even a second, then you are a blind fool.”

Bash takes her tongue lashing without a word. After she’s silent a moment, he nods.

“Understood.”

It’s the closest she’s going to get an apology.

---