Page 45

“Why are you just walking up in my place?” I ask as I tuck the gun back in my holster.

Now that I’m back home, it’s business as usual. I’m about my business. I narrow my eyes at him, wondering what the hell he’s up to.

“Lyric said you were back. I thought I’d check in. Maybe we can go for a bite or order in.”

“You didn’t think to ring the bell? Who let you in?”

“I’ve been house-sitting this place, remember?”

I roll my eyes. He should have rung the bell if he knew I was here now. I finish my wine and wave him in. Moving into the kitchen, I grab him a glass.

“I was about to order something after I got all this stuff uncovered.”

“I was actually coming to do this for you. I figured you’d be passed out from jet lag. I was going to open the place up and feed you once you woke up.”

I smile as I hand him a glass of red. “How have you been, Byron?”

“I’m okay. I’ve been waiting on your next book to come out.”

My shoulders sag as I look down into my glass. Guilt consumes me as I think of the lie I told Kaye as my excuse to leave as abruptly as I did. There is no book deal or tour I needed to be back for.

I need to give Kaye and Lakia some space for a while. If Ronan could find out who I am, my enemies are sure to be able to find out about my life as Dean Foxx.

I need to find out what this Alliance wants from me and what cutting off the Albanians will come to mean for me and the business. Every time I think about walking away, I think about Uncle Freddie and how much trust he had in me to leave me everything. I never want to disappoint him.

“Where’d you go, Baby Girl?”

“Nowhere. Just a lot on my mind. Are we having Chinese or taking a walk to our favorite Caribbean spot?”

“We can get whatever you want. My treat.”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll get my shoes.”

“I’ll be right here. You can tell me all about your trip.”

I laugh. This man knows I’m not about to share anything about my life with him. He might be the closest thing I have to a friend around here, but he still gets limited access like everyone else.

***

“That was amazing,as usual. I’m stuffed,” Byron croons as he pats his stomach.

“Yeah, that hit the spot. That jet lag might be setting in soon.”

“Where were you? My dad has been tight lipped like I was going to run after you or something.”

I give him a pointed look. It’s the third time tonight he’s tried to get me to tell him where I’ve been. It’s not going to happen.

“You can see yourself out. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks for dinner.”

“Come on, Danny. Why do you still treat me like this? I’ve known you for how long?

“I mean, damn. I found out about your books from some chick I was fucking. You didn’t even tell me that you were doing something so incredible.

“That cut deep. I thought I was one of the few you call a friend. I get it. Uncle Freddie and Dad raised us different. You have always lived two different lives, but I’ve been here.

“I’d do anything for you. When are you going to let me in?”

“Let you in as what?” I ask.