Kingpin (Court University 2)

Billie’s dad appeared modest at the acknowledgment, scratching the side of his neck. I never saw him in anything less than a business suit, and something told me usually DAs didn’t make it off the golf course, let alone hung around criminal investigations. They definitely didn’t pick up guys from crime scenes such as myself, yet here he was. He shrugged. “It was the least I could do. You’re obviously my daughter’s friend.”

I was more than that, but I had a feeling he knew that. Things were definitely complicated with him and his daughter, and I was on her side always but could give credit where credit was due. This guy had gone to bat for me, and I appreciated that.

“Thanks for all you did.” I put my hand out again, shaking his hand hard. “My family’s everything to me, and Niko’s is to him too. I think I can say on his and my behalf that we appreciate you making calls to get police details for our families too.”

Another shrug before he released my hand, then a nod. “I’m just glad everything turned out all right. Sounds like it did.”

These men around us were headed off to far more important issues now and I was grateful for that. Fuck, I was happy for all this to finally be behind me.

Billie’s dad rocked on his shoes. “I suppose you’re going to go see my daughter now?”

“I am. She’s been giving me an earful about not being there.”

“Well, I guess you can let her know everything’s okay now. That she’s safe. I’d appreciate that.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but he shook it off, and all that red hair reminded me so much of his kid. He clasped my arm. “And you, uh… you just take care of her, okay? Be good to her?”

He didn’t have to ask, always in Billie’s corner as long as she’d have me. I’d been stupid before when it came to her, but I wouldn’t be now. I refused.

I loved her.

“I will,” I said. “Sir.”

I had respect for the man, and when his smile stretched, I felt I had the same on his end. I was happy for that.

He backed off to talk to the detective and his team more when my phone buzzed. Seeing it was a certain red head, I grinned too wide. Crazy, how she affected me.

I swiped my thumb across the device, then put it to my ear. “Hey, beauty queen. I just got done and—”

“What are you doing, Sinclair?”

I twitched. Sinclair? Her ex-boyfriend motherfucker? What the hell?

My lips moved to speak.

“Why have you taken me?” she questioned, my gut twisting right away. She panted. “I’m scared. Let me go.”

My heart racing immediately, I started to speak but didn’t know if I should or she could. This fucker had taken her?

“Shut the fuck up, Billie!” Sinclair seethed but not directly into the line. He was somewhere wherever she was at, and the sudden charge of an engine accelerating grappled my insides. He had her in a car. He was driving her someplace.

“Please,” she pleaded. “Why are we in this white van? Where are you even taking me? Why did you grab me off Henderson trail and drag me in here? Stop. You might hit someone jogging on the paths. The roads are too narrow for big vehicles up here.”

I listened to every word, taking in every detail as I got my keys.

“Baby, just keep telling me where you are,” I thought, trying to keep it all straight and not let my mind wander. I had to stay calm.

If I didn’t I might be too late.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Billie

I widened my legs

a little, my phone tucked beneath them. I still had it in my hand when Sinclair grabbed me and managed to keep it concealed even when I climbed between the front two seats to sit beside him.

A glance down and the screen was black, but I hoped to God the call to LJ had gone through.

Sinclair had been navigating the road when I hit my recent contacts. LJ had been the last person I’d spoken to so it’d been easy. I’d touched the screen, then shoved the thing between my legs. I couldn’t hear anything on the other end with all the bumps in the woods, but the moment Sinclair got us away from the wooded trail to the dirt paths, there’d been nothing but silence. LJ could be on the line still as we sat, but I had no way of knowing it.