Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

Gidget nodded, jotting down some quick notes as he spoke. The first thing she suggested was checking the IP addresses on the bad reviews. Ian smiled and discreetly pointed at Quinn. She chuckled and shook her head.

“So, you mentioned you want me reviewing the security footage?”

“Yes. Hollis and I think this could be someone who’s at least been to the restaurant. Probably recently. There are cameras outside the front door and back delivery door. We were wondering if you could cook up some kind of…I don’t know…search parameters so that a computer scans all the footage looking for suspicious people. Or maybe someone who left angry.”

“I could do something like that,” Gidget said with a nod. “It wouldn’t be precise, but it would give us something to work with. Far easier than watching hundreds of hours of tape.”

“Probably look for repeaters too,” Cole chimed in. “The person could have returned several times to the restaurant, obsessed or maybe casing the place.”

“How far back do you want me to look?”

Ian twisted his fingers together and frowned. “I’m not sure. The ICE raid was over a week ago, and we figure that even after someone submitted reports, it would take a couple of weeks at least for them to pull something together.”

“So, three weeks?” Gidget suggested.

“I’d consider a full month. Just to be on the safe side,” Quinn said.

Gidget nodded and made a few more notes.

“I really appreciate this. I don’t want to get you in trouble with Rowe. We’ll tell him eventually. It’s just that he, Lucas, and Snow tend to blow everything out of proportion in favor of wrapping me in cotton and tucking me away in a closet.”

“They worry about you,” Gidget said diplomatically.

“I get it and I appreciate it, but this is my restaurant. I’m going to protect my restaurant.”

“We’re happy to help any way we can. No bribe necessary,” Cole said.

“But your bribes are always appreciated,” Quinn quickly added.

Ian relaxed a little as he chatted with the triplets for a few more minutes. Just talking to them made him feel like he was taking some steps in the right direction. If there was anything that could be done on computers to track this person down, they would be able to uncover it. He was just tired of wracking his brain over who it could possibly be.

Plan in place, Ian poked his head out of the door and peered down the hall. With it empty, he walked to Rowe’s office where he found Rowe stretched out behind his desk, appearing half-asleep. Noah was on the couch and not looking much better.

“I’m guessing lunch was good,” Ian teased.

“Amazing,” Rowe groaned.

“I’ve never had duck like that. Sooo good,” Noah added.

“I better get back to Rialto.” Ian waved a hand at him when Rowe acted as if he was planning to get to his feet. Rowe instantly stopped and lounged in his chair again with a happy moan.

“Leave the trays. We’ll clean up and someone will run all your stuff to the restaurant tonight.”

“If you’re planning to grab seconds, you’re too late,” Andrei said suddenly. Ian gave a little jump, surprised to find the dark, sexy man standing directly behind him. “I overheard Dom saying he was planning to lick the pans clean.”

“Well, no rush. We’ve got plenty at Rialto.” He leaned over and gave Andrei a quick hug before he hurried toward the stairs.

Had there been something in Andrei’s smile? A twinkle of knowledge in his dark eyes? Did he see Ian coming from the triplets’ office? Overhear something? The man just seemed to have a magical way of knowing things.

Ian shoved the thought aside, calling it paranoia. Andrei didn’t know anything. His secret was safe for now. He and Hollis were investigating this case themselves. Ian was handling the problem with his restaurant with just Hollis. No Snow. No Lucas. No Rowe, Noah, streams of colorful duct tape, code names, or explosions.

And most importantly, no one leaving Ian alone on the sidelines while they had all the fun!Chapter EightIan opened the trunk of his car and shoved one hand through his sweaty hair. It was almost October and the temperature had hung out in the low nineties all day. When the hell was fall finally going to arrive? Only the nights had been cool so far. Luckily, the sun had set and the air was finally growing more comfortable, even if his clothes were already sticking to him.

He surveyed the collection of reusable grocery bags overflowing with food in his car that needed to be hauled into the condo. It had been just over twenty-four hours since he’d successfully sneaked through Ward Security and enlisted the help of Gidget and Cole. No word yet on the results of the security video, but Ian knew it was going to take some time. It wasn’t just a lot of hours to go through, but hundreds of people came and went through the restaurant.