Page 28

“Ya need to work on yer a patience, lad. Even here in New York with its fast pace, patience has won every time.

“This meeting will be good for ya to understand what I mean by that. I want ya to listen this time. I’ll explain anything ya don’t understand after.”

“Uncle Ro, I …”

I don’t hear a word he says as I stop to stare at one of the photos on the shelf in front of me. I reach for the frame and take a closer look. I would know that face anywhere.

“Ya have to be fucking kidding me,” I breathe.

She’s a bit younger, with straight red hair that brushes her shoulders, but this is the same woman. She’s smiling back at the camera as four men I know well stand around her, one with his arm around her shoulders as he stands proudly.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you so much for coming, Ronan,” Dayton says as he saunters into the room.

I turn to him with the frame still in my hand. He moves to sit behind his desk. I narrow my eyes at him, trying to see if there is a resemblance.

“Who is this lass in the picture?” I say and walk the frame over to his desk.

His brows pinch in the center of his forehead until I place the photograph before him. A smile comes to the corners of his lips as he looks down at it. I can see a fondness in his gaze.

Quickly, he schools his expression and glances up at me. “Why would you ask about her?”

“She looks like an author I know.”

“Ah, yes, Danika and her writing career.” He shakes his head. “Her books come too close to real life a little too often. She’s talented. Freddie would have much to be proud of.”

“Freddie? Who was she to Freddie?”

“Danika is … This isn’t what I asked you here for. I’ve already said too much. She’s not known to the world as Danika. Danny remains private. She learned well when it comes to keeping her identity a secret.”

“Danny,” I mutter to myself.

Dayton narrows his eyes at me once again. “Ronan, I have come to know you. This is not about her books or her pen name. How do you know Danika?”

“She’s the friend of a friend.”

“That’s rich. The girl doesn’t make friends. She has enough for me to count on one hand.

“My nephew’s girlfriend would be one of them.”

“Ah, Kaye Blaze, a.k.a. Kaye Porter. The preacher’s kid. Now this is rich. Felix Black is your nephew. Why didn’t I put it together sooner? Freddie knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Danny … nothing. I promised Freddie I would look after her and I plan to keep that promise.”

“I mean the lass no harm. I would never allow anything to happen to her.”

He snorts. “That’s not at all what I mean. She is capable of handling herself.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Dayton falls back in his seat and laughs. “She’s more like you than you know. Freddie spoke to you of his son a time or two, am I right?”

“Aye, he did.”

“Ronan, Freddie never had any kids and he damn sure didn’t have a son. Whenever he spoke of his son, he was speaking in code.”

“What aren’t ya saying? My patience is beginning to wear. I want to know more about the lass.”