Daddy's Sweet Girl (Montana Daddies 3)

Kent nodded. It was be good for Abby to get to know Charlie and Ellie. Eden too. He gathered she didn’t really have friends. Poor darling. She’d been rather isolated because of her brother’s choices.

“So, a little birdie told me about some trouble you’ve been having. Want to explain why you didn’t tell me?”

He didn’t ask who the little birdie was. He’d long since ceased to question how Clint seemed to know everything that went on around Sanctuary and to anyone who lived here.

“Been a bit busy with everything going on.”

“I can see that.” Clint glanced down at Abby. “You moved quick.”

“I could hardly let her stay in that house. Besides the fact that it was trashed, she’s not safe there.”

Clint nodded. “Agreed. It’s the right choice. What are you planning to do once she’s safe?”

“Keep her.”

“Good. Now run through everything that’s happened. I want your take.”

Kent went over it all, leaving nothing out. His brother just listened. It was something he was good at, just stopping and listening. Especially when it came to either of his siblings.

“Don’t know that there’s much we can do about Bartolli. You’ve put the word out that she’s under your protection?”

“Yeah. Hopefully, it keeps him from coming after her. I’ve also got Corbin looking into him.”

“But we can do something about Markovich.”

“Planning to.” He glanced at the clock. “I’ve called some of the boys for a meeting about Markovich. Let them in while I put her to bed?”

“I live to serve.”

Kent rolled his eyes at his older brother. “I also have something I need you to take to Charlie. I’ll grab it as well.” He carefully picked Abby up, carrying her to his bedroom. He managed to pull back the covers then laid her down. He’d moved the mattress back onto the bed earlier. He placed a kiss on her forehead after tucking her in. Then he moved from the room. When he returned downstairs, he heard the low murmur of voices. In the living room sat Macca, Bain, Donovan, Zeke, Corbin and Jed.

He grabbed everyone a beer then sat. “Corbin, get anything on Bartolli?”

“Yeah, the family is bad news. Run by Fergus Bartolli. Owns several strip clubs, as well as other businesses, but most of his money comes from drugs and human trafficking. Apparently he’s a lecherous old bastard with a taste for young girls.”

Kent grimaced. He studied the photo of Fergus Bartolli. He looked like an overweight frog with thinning hair and a huge mole on his lip. Next to him stood a barely legal, leggy blonde who towered above him by at least a foot. She seemed scared as she leaned as far away from him as she could.

“That’s his latest wife, Angie. Rumor has it, she was given to him by her father. Payment for a debt o

wed.”

“Jesus Christ,” Clint muttered.

“Managed to tap my contacts to see if I could find out whether he’s the one who has Max. Nobody seems to know if Bartolli has him, but apparently he’s got a real hard-on for him. Someone downloaded a whole lot of documents from his computer. Included in those documents were the names of a number of Bartolli’s clients. Who don’t want their names getting out.”

“When Max called, he said he’d lost the flash drive he had the information stored on,” Kent said with a sigh.

“They won’t stop coming for him,” Clint said. “It’s as much about setting an example to others as getting the information back.”

Kent nodded.

“So, what do we do about it?” Bain asked with a frown.

“Let’s send a couple of guys in undercover to his clubs. See if they can ferret anything out, but tell them to do it quietly. Last thing I need is Bartolli catching on that we’re watching him. Corbin, you keep doing some research, see if you can discover anything more. I’ve got a bad feeling about Max.”

“And what about Markovich?” Jed asked.

“He’s a different story,” Kent said darkly. “I’m going to call him and arrange for a meet.”