“Is there anything about him physically that you can remember that might help us?”
“Why do you want to find him?”
“Because he deserves to know about his daughter and you deserve to have help financially.”
“The only thing that stands out is the back tattoo he has. He has angel’s wings on his shoulders. Right in the middle it had a quote from Harry Potter.‘Happiness can be found even in thedarkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.’Then there was a name right below it, Carrie.”
I have never been more thankful that I can control my expression and make my face unreadable right now. “We?—”
“Hey Lilly. Nick would like to talk to you for a second. Do you feel comfortable doing that?” Gabe asks from the doorway.
“Sure,” she says.
Gabe crosses the room and hands her his phone. While I take a real good look at Francesca before patting Lilly’s knee and stand up motioning for Gabe to follow me. “Let’s let them talk in private.” Thankfully he doesn’t say anything until we are out of the office and the door is closed behind us.
“What the fuck was that?” Gabe laces his hands behind his head and looks at me like I will fill in the pieces he missed.
“What was what?” I lean back against the wall and stare at him.
“That look you gave to her daughter. It was like you recognized her from somewhere and there is something you aren’t telling me.”
“Answer me two questions and I might tell you,” I say, reaching up and patting his cheek. “What is Nick’s middle name and what does his back tattoo look like?”
Gabe’s eyes narrow and his brows furrow in confusion. “Basten and it’s a memorial piece for his sister Carrie. You know this so why are you asking?”
I point to Francesca who is still asleep on the couch through the window. “Take a real long look at her. Not Lilly but Francesca.” Lilly is still sitting on the couch looking like she is deep in thought and I wonder if she is recognizing his voice.
Gabe steps closer to the window and when he sees it he mumbles, “Son of a bitch.”
We don’t have any more time to talk because Lilly picks up Francesca and walks out of the office. “Nick is going to meetme at the apartment and help me get everything we need,” she says, handing Gabe’s phone back to him. She looks at me and for the first time smiles. “I’m really glad you aren’t dead. I might be scared out of my mind right now but I’m really happy to see you.”
I place a hand on her shoulder and guide her to the door. “We will be in touch soon and please don’t worry. Everything will be alright. I promise you.”
We watch her get into her car and drive away before Gabe speaks. “Should we call Nick or something?”
“Nope. But we need to go see my brother.” I turn around and head back to the SUV. I open the door, click my tongue and Reaper comes bounding over. After he gets in I shut the door and open mine.
“Why?” Gabe is right on my heels heading to the driver side.
“Because we need to have a conversation.”
Chapter
Eleven
TARA
We are halfway through the drive to Reed’s when my phone rings. I answer it instantly. “What’s going on?”
“They got the fire out and were able to save half of the house. Ava, Jackson, and I are headed to Ricco’s house. Vance is pulling the security cameras as we speak. Whoever did this won’t get away with it,” Elio says.
“That’s good. We just got done with our meeting with Lilly. We are heading to my brother’s house. Unless you need us,” I say, hating that I’m not there to help them and that I caused all this to happen.
“No, we got this, but Tara…” The car falls silent, and pressure increases behind my eyes. He doesn’t need to finish his sentence because I know what he is about to say.
“Be safe.” I finish for him. “I promise I will be. I’ll be home as soon as I put an end to this.”
“Love you,” Elio says, and then the line goes dead.
