Quiet Protector - Shandi Boyes Page 0,109

has images of him picking her up from her apartment the night he returned from The Hamptons.”

His disclosure is shocking, but there are too many loose threads for me to ignore. “The Shrouds’ ranch was a baby-making facility’s dumping site. Isaac’s trip to The Hamptons was only months ago, the date range doesn’t add up.”

“Does in an industry where babies cut both production and profit margins.”

It takes me a few seconds to read between the lines, but when I do, it smacks me in the gut. “Isaac’s date was a prostitute?”

“Uh-huh. Had her tubes tied a few years back at her gigolo’s request. He didn’t want to get her shacked up with a baby when she was bringing in over eight G a night.”

Now her death makes sense. The Castros wouldn’t have kept her alive long after finding out she was worthless to them. They weren’t working the prostitution conglomerate. It also discloses why Phillipa’s team is looking so closely at Ravenshoe. The Castros have been bunkered down for over a year, so why are some of the victims’ deaths so fresh?

Before I can answer my question, the ambulance arrives at Ravenshoe Private.

“We’ve arrived at the hospital. I’ve got to go.”

Grayson calls my name before I fully lower my phone from my ear. “Alex and Isaac are on the move. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks,” I reply, genuinely grateful.

Even more so when he adds, “I’ll also find your briefcase. You’re not the only one who likes wasting Sundays immersing himself in times gone by. I’ve got the files backed up, but nothing replicates seeing decade-old footage on an ancient screen.”

I stare down at my phone’s screen when he disconnects our call. If he only piggybacked the CTC feed when Isaac’s hacker logged in, how did he know I was watching videos of Melody and me before he called me? His mainframe is linked to Tobias’s laptop, but I used a private proxy, aware he’s a creep who has no qualms stepping over lines deemed as acceptable for friends.

Clearly, I need to start watching Grayson as closely as he’s watching me.

32

Melody

“Are you sure you don’t want to come in and clean up before your flight?”

Julian’s smile competes with the low-hanging sun. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m good. I don’t want to be late for my flight.”

“It’s a private jet, Julian. I’m sure it can wait.” I rib him with my elbow, ensuring he knows there’s no malice to my tone.

The past twenty-nine hours have been good for us. Although Julian didn’t expand on the disclosure Leo made yesterday morning, he was more open and honest than he had been the three years of our relationship. We talked as we should have the morning he left and ended things more amicably.

Heartache is associated with any breakup, especially one as long as ours, but when both parties agree it’s for the best, it can also be encouraging. For years, I relied on Brandon. When I didn’t have him, I felt lost and alone, which had me leaning on Julian more than I should have. It wasn’t fair of me to do. However, I’m taking steps to fix that now.

That’s why I’m back here at the ranch. I lost who I was here, so it’s only right for me to re-find myself here. Then, once that’s achieved, I can shift my focus to fixing all the mistakes I made. Brandon included.

Not wanting Julian to see the wetness dwelling in my eyes, I move our exchange onto the dreaded farewell stage. “Thank you for the ride. I much appreciate it.”

Julian waits for me to press a kiss to his cheek before replying, “You’re very welcome.” After raking his eyes over my family ranch standing proud in the distance, he shifts them back to me. “Are you sure you don’t want Tiny to stay with you?”

“I’m sure.” I nudge my head to the tinted SUV that followed us here. It doesn’t belong to Julian’s convoy of vehicles, however, I know who’s inside. “I’m safe here. Kwan will make sure of it.”

It’s amazing how the shredding of someone’s shield has you seeing them in a new light. Kwan isn’t a man to be messed with, but that only applies if you’re hurting the people he classes as family. Since I have Gottle blood running through my veins, I’ve been given that title from him.

After dragging my purse from the back of Julian’s car into my lap, I pull out a small wrapped box. “Will you please

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