She disliked bodyguards because they brought too much attention to her at school. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin her image. But her safety was number one.
“I have a former associate who I don’t like, nor do I trust. Hunter is only there as a precaution. I don’t expect anything to happen. It’s just my paranoia.”
“Fine,” she said harshly. “I don’t want to argue, and I get it. I don’t plan on leaving school grounds before you get here anyway. I have too much to do.”
A sense of relief washed over me that she wasn’t leaving school grounds anytime soon. “I’ll see you next week. Love you, sweetie.”
“Dad, I worry about you. Please be careful. And I love you too.”
After I pocketed my phone, I wanted to punch the cement wall behind me. The last thing Fran should be doing was worrying about me.
What a fucking day? The call with Arturo. Sabine bugging me several times through text messages. Then Grace.Motherfucker. I couldn’t shake the discussion I’d had with her at the gym. I was over the moon that she had all but admitted she was into me. That only made it more difficult to keep my attention on other things and my hands to myself.
Regardless, our feelings for one another weren’t the immediate issue. Although, if either of us acted on those feelings, I could be looking down the barrel of a gun, if Duke had any say in the matter.
I made my way into the restaurant and over to the bar. I might as well have a drink while I waited for Duke.
The bartender, Matt, a former employee at the club Duke had owned, came over and placed a napkin in front me. “I heard you were in town.” He wiped his hands on a towel draped over his shoulder.
I chuckled. “Does Duke come in here that often?”
“He comes in about twice a week before he heads home,” Matt said. “I think he misses me.”
The dude with dirty-blond locks pulled into a man bun had been Duke’s best bartender, bringing in the most tips and money. He was one of those suave bartenders who knew how to spin liquor bottles and put on shows for customers, particularly women.
“I’m sure Duke misses a lot about his club.” I knew Duke had loved that place. “Can I get a double shot of bourbon?”
“Are you still drinking Buffalo Trace?” he asked.
“If you have it,” I replied.
“Sure do.” He grabbed the high-end bourbon from the shelf along with two glasses and set them down as Duke slid onto the barstool next to me.
“Sorry, Emma wouldn’t let me leave,” Duke said.
His smile said it all. Emma Hart, the apple of her daddy’s eyes, was going to give Duke more of a run for his money than his sister, Grace.
“No need to apologize. Family comes first.” I took a swig of bourbon that Matt had been pouring while Duke got settled.
I knew the feeling well. I’d never expected Fran, but man, she was the best thing that ever happened to me. An overwhelming sense of love washed over me the moment I laid eyes on her at birth. The need to protect her, love her, and die for her had consumed me to the point where I almost couldn’t breathe.
Matt slid a drink to Duke then sped off to help a waitress at the other end of the bar.
Then Duke and I dropped into an easy conversation about kids. I told him about Fran’s science project, her interest in going to Harvard, and my new apartment. Then he gushed about how fast Emma was growing up.
We toasted to the kids as voices droned on in the background, with customers chatting and laughing.
“I hate to be mushy, but I miss drinking at the bar or in your office at your former nightclub,” I said.
He toyed with a napkin. “I do miss that, too, but not the criminal part. Speaking of which, talk to me about Jeremy Pitt. After you landed yesterday, why did you rush over to his office? Are you working for him in an illegal capacity? Or as a bodyguard?”
I chuckled. “Neither, though he would be a better boss than Rosario.”
Duke smirked. “For sure. The man knows the mob business better than anyone I know.”
“I hired a bodyguard for Fran. Jeremy’s team is the best in the industry, as you know.”
His gaze hardened with concern. “Why? Did a former enemy threaten you? You’re not dealing drugs again?”
