“Got it.”
“Lo, I will go with you to visit the family then we will head home.”
At that, we all get up to head our separate ways.
∞∞∞
Dinner was ready by the time we made it home. We ate a nice dinner and had good conversation that skirted around the elephant in the room. Once we were all fed, I lead everyone to the meeting room. Gio immediately took my left, but Lo left the right open for Sofia. I appreciated the gesture, but she sat with the girls a little down the table anyways. I wanted to demand her to sit next to me, but knew she wouldn’t accept it.
“Is everyone caught up on last night?” I ask, but look to Isabella.
She was the only one absent. She gives me a terse nod.
“Good. I know some of you,” my eyes flitter to Sofia then back to Isabella, “are not exactly happy about your protection detail, but now you see why I assigned them to you. While Brooklyn has been safer than ever recently, there are still dangers out there.”
“I agree, Bash.” Sofia turns to Isabella. “I know you don’t like them, but last night Matt put his own life at risk for mine. Until we figure out why, I think its best if we just accept their help.”
I feel a sense of calm at her words. I know she said earlier that she would accept it, but I thought she would push back more at the thought of protection.
“I don’t understand why we need protection. What did you get Sofia mixed up in?” She directs the question at me.
“Izzy! It’s not his fault.” Sofia scolds.
“Really? Then why is it that we were all perfectly safe until he came into our lives? Why is it that we couldn’t go to work today?”
“Izzy. We don’t know who that man was. He could have been a rapist or murderer looking to take advantage of me and Mia.”
I clench my fist and bring it down on the table.
“ENOUGH!” They all turn and look at me. Isabella has a slight fear in her eye that tells me she knows to keep her mouth shut. “The man’s name is Ronald Benedict Thompson. Do you recognize it, Tesoro?”
I try and tape down my anger while she thinks.
“I don’t think so. I had never seen the man before either so I am not surprised.”
She shrugs. I sigh. I don’t want to, but I need to tell her the truth.
“He is from Tucson.”
Her eyes harden.
“Ryan.” She whispers before she clears her throat. “Ryan must have sent him.”
She turns and gives Mia and Isabella a sad smile.
“Looks like I got you mixed up into my drama. I am so sorry. I should have just kept my distance.”
“Are you silly? You are my best friend. I wouldn’t have let you.” Mia gets up and pulls her into a hug.
Isabella stands up and joins them.
“Ditto. We are best friends forever. Your trouble is ours.”
I let them have their moment before interrupting.
“So back to where we go from here. My men are going to find this man and bring him to me, but we cannot seem to get a lead on Ryan. Is there anywhere he travels? The last time he was seen was at the house you two shared. It seems he has a new lady friend who would only tell my man that he left on a business trip and would be back in a month. She said he was going overseas and wasn’t able to contact her. Obviously, that was a lie, but we have no trace on him.”
Sofia thinks.
