said after a few minutes. “It’s a prepaid. No way to trace it back to who bought it. And there are no calls on it other than Betsy calling Ink. There’s no contacts, no photos, no search history other than what Betsy looked at. Nothing except for one phone number. Want me to call it?”
They all looked to Reyes, but it was Sunny who answered. “Call it. He left it there for a reason.”
Jason pressed on the number. It rang three times.
“This better be good, I’m in the middle of a slice and dice.”
“Fox!” Sunny choked out.
“Sweet girl! How are you?”
“Fox? Slice and dice? That doesn’t mean you’re…” Sunny broke off, looking ill.
Betsy got it.
“I’m making a fruit salad. Really, sweet girl, do you think I’d answer the phone while doing that?”
Sunny ran her hand over her face.
“Have you been watching Sunny again?” Duke bit out.
“How did you find Betsy? Have you bugged us again?” Ink asked.
“Ahh, is the whole merry band there then?” the Fox asked.
“We’re all here,” Reyes said warily.
“Good. That makes things easier.”
“Makes what easier?” Sunny asked. “Fox, what is going on?”
“Now, sweet girl, you know I can’t tell you that. Ink?”
“Yes?”
“I took care of some rodents for you. They won’t be digging any more holes. Don’t worry, I buried them good.”
Did that mean he’d buried Thing One and Two? She couldn’t feel bad about that.
“Fox, what is going on? How are you mixed up in all this? Did Forrest Robins hire you to get rid of his brother?” Duke demanded.
“Ink, your tree problem? It’s taken care of too. You’re welcome.”
What did that mean?
“Duke?” Fox asked.
“Yes?”
“If my Sunny is ever put in danger like that again, I will have to take matters into my own hands. And you will not like it.”
With that threat left hanging the call ended.
Jason tried to call back, but there was just a dial tone.
“Mother-fucking bastard,” Duke said, not bothering to check his language. “I’ll fucking kill him.”
“He’s just protective,” Sunny soothed. “He didn’t mean it.”
Betsy thought he sounded deadly serious.
“What did he mean that my tree problem was solved?” Ink wondered.
There was a knock on the bedroom door and Stone stepped in. “You’re not going to believe this.”
“What is it?” Ink barked.
She tensed, not certain how much more she could take.
“A small plane crashed trying to take off from a private airstrip in South Dakota. All the people inside were killed. Including Forrest Robins.”
Shock filled her. He was dead. Wait, is that what…
“Was that the tree problem?” she whispered.
The Fox had killed Forrest?
“Thanks, man,” Ink said to Stone who left again.
“Do you really think that the Fox killed Forrest?” she asked.
They were all silent then Ink sighed. “More than likely, brown eyes.”
“But why?”
“Who knows why the hell he does anything?” Duke grumbled.
38
Dirt rained down on her. She couldn’t stop it from covering her mouth. She was completely covered. Unable to breathe.
She was going to die!
Ink!
“Brown eyes, wake up! Wake up now! You’re safe. Wake up for Daddy! Right. Now.”
“D-Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.” It was all she could say. All she wanted. She just wanted him. Surrounding her. Making her feel safe. Keeping the bad things at bay.
What in her life had she done to deserve him?
A light flickered on.
“I’m here. I’m here, brown eyes. Shh, you’re safe now. You’re safe. It was just a nightmare. I promise, you’re safe. Nothing bad is ever going to touch you again. I’ve damn well had enough of this. I’m tired of people fucking hurting you. It’s not happening again. Understand.” He cupped her face between his hands, glaring down at her.
“I understand,” she whispered.
“Ain’t nobody getting to you. Even if I have to fucking put a collar and lead on you and keep you by my side twenty-four-seven then that’s what I’ll do.”
She might have smiled if she hadn’t heard the note of seriousness in his voice.
“Might make going to the toilet a bit difficult.”
“Like I fucking care.”
“I might care, Daddy. A girl needs her privacy.”
“What the fuck for? Safety trumps privacy.”
She sighed. “There are things a girl doesn’t want her man to see.”
She rubbed at her throbbing head.
“Christ. Brown eyes, I’m sorry. Here let me get you some painkillers.”
He reached over to the bedside table to grab the painkillers and water. He helped her take both then lay facing her. He ran his fingers lightly down her cheek.
“Maybe I should just lock you in your room. Then you’d be safe.”