Accidental Shield

“Dad, finally!” Bryce shouts, waving a hand. “I thought you were never gonna show. We’re going to the battleship now. I’ve been wanting to see the Missouri again since forever.”

Oh, hell, I know he has.

The kid went through a World War II history buff phase a year or two back. He was begging me to take him out to Pearl Harbor and Fort DeRussy weekly to stare at tanks and jet fighters.

“Just wanted to skip to the best part, kiddo,” I say, grinning. “Let’s go.”

I place a hand on Val’s back and walk with her, while Bryce and Ma go on a few steps ahead.

We spend a couple hours exploring the massive decommissioned warship and then the other monuments and displays before leaving the park, stopping at a nearby cafe for lunch. A steaming plate of loco moco hits the spot, my usual for brunch.

Too bad the rich meal can’t satisfy the other hunger licking at my veins every damn time I make eyes across the table.

Somehow, taking Val to bed hasn’t diminished my animal urges one tiny bit.

All it takes is a flash of her bright-gold eyes or a flick of that dark-hazelnut hair to drive my cock mad.

I don’t recall the last time anybody else joined us for a family meal. I’m surprised how comfortable and easy it feels, minus one thing.

I can tell how much my mother adores Valerie. Concerning.

It’s gonna be hard as fuck to drop the truth on her, dashing her fantasy that I’ve finally found my other half. Just not half as hard as it’ll be to let Val go.

All the more reason to get this case solved and find some normalcy again.

Before we leave the diner, I get an all clear text from Davis. Weird.

I expected men to be watching us, even trying to follow us again. Cornaro boys are like coyotes once they’ve found a target, always stalking, waiting for a chance to move in for the kill.

Nothing about this game holds true to form.

That’s worrying.

* * *

Ma leaves shortly after we return to my house.

Bryce heads out the back door to play with Savanny. He’s still trying to teach that cat to fetch like a dog. Guess grit and determination runs in our blood.

I head into the living room and find Val stretched out on the sofa.

“Feeling up to visiting your mother again?” I ask. “I’m sure I could lift Ray’s prints off something there. This time, no car chases. Promise. I’ve got a plan for that.”

She doesn’t hesitate. “Sure. He keeps this wooden surfboard there that he doesn’t let anyone else touch. I’m sure you could get his prints off it easy. It’s non-porous.”

I lift a brow, wondering how she’d know I’d need a non-porous item.

“What? I watch a lot of forensics shows.” Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she says, “I’ll call my mother. I remember her number now.”

With the phone on speaker, she holds it between us.

“Hello?” Lorelei says.

“Hi, Mom, it’s—”

“Valerie? Oh, thank God you called! I don’t have your new number.”

Val glances at me, clearly hearing the anxiety straining her mother’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Ray! He’s…he’s missing, dear.”

My hand balls into a fist at my side.

“Missing? What do you mean?” Valerie asks, her voice jumping an octave.

“I called him after you’d been here to see me, asked him why he never told me you’d been injured, and he said he’d be right over. But he only came for a few hours and left again, and that was days ago. He’s not answering his phone. It goes straight to voicemail. I called Sammie, and she says he hasn’t been in the office. Something’s happened to him, Valerie. Something dreadful. I just know it!”

Fuck.

She’s right about the dreadful part. Only question is whether it’s bad news for him, or more ugly shit he’s cooking up for us.

More importantly, my gut tells me Mrs. Gerard isn’t safe.

Not anymore.

Rushing over, I grab Valerie’s hand as I whisper, “Is this a landline?”

She looks up, her eyes wide, and nods.

I hold a finger to my lips. The line’s bugged. I’m sure of it.

They can’t trace the location of Val’s phone, but they can hear every damn word. “Does she have a cell phone? Do you know the number?”

She nods slowly.

“Valerie! Did you hear me?” Mrs. Gerard cuts in again. “We have to go to the police and—”

“I heard you, but I’m picking up a lot of static. Hold on, call you right back.” Valerie hits the end button. “She sounds scared out of her mind, Flint. I don’t think it’s some kind of trick…even by Ray.”

“Do you know a place where we can meet her? One she’ll know without you saying the name and tipping off anybody else on the line. Somewhere public with plenty of people?” I have no doubt Lorelei will probably be followed, but at least we could get there first, and find a way to get her out unseen.