Chapter 11
Eleven
DARCIE
I wiped the sleep from my eyes and took another gulp of the shitty coffee. It didn’t help erase the tiredness I felt deep in my bones, but I kept drinking it anyway. The past forty-eight hours had been an emotional dumping ground, and I was ready to set this dumpster on fire. I checked the time, and a nervous flutter took flight. There was no turning back now.
“Having second thoughts?” Hank asked, sliding into the booth.
“Nope. I have confidence in my men. It’s yours I’m questioning.”
My dad scowled, and a twinge of guilt bubbled in my gut at my words. But it didn’t make what I said any less accurate.
After Maddox had received a text from Becca’s handler asking to talk, we’d learned the safe haven had been compromised. Hank insisted the network hadn’t been infiltrated despite the contradictory evidence. So, while Waylon, Brooks, and Grayson ran through the MCD program, Maddox and I were dealing with Becca’s whereabouts.
He’d left to meet with the man assigned to her while I combed through the server for any leaks. The last time I spent this much time with a computer, I’d worn much less clothing and had gotten paid.
This was less fun.
“It would go much faster if you allowed me to help.”
I gritted my teeth. It wasn’t the first time he’d offered. And he wasn’t wrong. He knew the server, code, and players better than anyone. But... I didn’t know how to trust him with this. If he dropped the ball again, an innocent girl would suffer.
My reservations decreased with each minute I spent staring at the screen, especially if I had to keep drinking this coffee. Out of habit, I took another sip and winced at the burnt flavor.
“Here.” My dad pushed over a thermos, lifting his eyebrows in a silent dare.
Sighing, I took it and set aside the cup I’d been nursing. I had my pride, but it only went so far. Refusing good coffee wasn’t something I would sacrifice.
“Thanks.” I unscrewed the lid and inhaled the rich, dark aroma with a hint of hazelnut and vanilla. Picking up a clean mug, I poured some before screwing on the lid. The second it hit my tongue, I felt brighter and alert. The power of good coffee.
“Have you heard from Maddox?”
“He made it to the meeting location. I haven’t heard how it went yet.”
“Hmm.”
“What?” I met my dad’s eyes for the first time since he’d sat down. He looked the same as the other night, but some of the spark in his eyes had returned. I hoped it meant he believed in me to tackle Agonizer, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath.
“It’s nice seeing you like this.” He smiled, fondness in his gaze. I bit back my retort and took another sip of coffee. He sighed, and I watched as he opened and closed his mouth, his face changing completely as he stared over my shoulder.
“Well, well, boys. It’s Hank the Tank. I didn’t think he had the balls to show his face around here.”
My body stiffened, and my heart rate picked up at the edge in the voice that boomed across the diner. I glanced out the window and recognized the patch on the jacket. Two men stood outside smoking, leaning against their bikes. I immediately closed the laptop, placed it in my bag, and scooted from the corner to the edge of the booth. My dad gave a subtle shake of his head. His eyes had stayed forward, tracking the threat, so I took it to mean to stay put. I’d take his lead for now, but if it came down between trusting him or myself, I’d bet on myself every damn day.
Sadness that I no longer saw my father as my hero engulfed the panic, and my heart slowed enough to keep my hands from shaking when I reached out for my cup of coffee. I drank the rest and unscrewed the thermos. I’d toss it on the asshole if I needed to. It would be a waste of good coffee, but I’d sacrifice it for a head start.
Keeping my head down, I watched the boots stop in front of our booth. It was time to test the strength of my disguise and see if my dad had the allies he believed. He’d suggested this place due to its free Wi-Fi and being off the beaten path. He knew the owner and said they wouldn’t ask questions if I sat in a booth for hours as long as I ordered every couple of hours.
I’d been here for eight hours already, and that had been true so far. No one had spared me a second glance, and outside the shitty coffee, the place had been perfect. It was not the place I wanted to make my re-emergence known, though.
“You think a lot about my balls, Tommy?”
I held in my snort. I got my sarcasm honest.
“What? No?” the man sputtered, and I hid my smile. Now would not be the time to gain the notice of this asshole.
The owner of the dusty boots grunted and slammed his hands on the table. The cups rattled, and the shitty coffee sloshed onto the table. Still, I kept my eyes down and breathed through my nose. I felt eyes roam over me, the hair on my neck standing at attention, but as quickly as they’d run over me, they stopped. Thank-fucking-God for small mercies. I owed Grayson a blow job for my disguise.
“You don’t get to talk to me like that anymore, Hank .” I didn’t need to see this man’s face to know he was scowling. The derision in his voice and the spit that hit the table said it all.
“You’re the one who brought up my balls, Tommy.” My dad lifted his hands in surrender. “What can I do for you today?”
“Nothin’. You ain’t nothin’ but shit on my boots. I don’t need you, Hank. You’d do good to remember that.”
“Noted. Thanks for the reminder. I do have trouble remembering things these days. I appreciate your concern. That’s mighty nice of you.” Tommy sputtered, and I almost, almost , glanced up, but I stayed the course. “You know, since you did me such a favor with that reminder, I’ll pay it forward. Try the Philly Cheesesteak. It’s mouthwatering.”
“I’m lactose intolerant, asshole.”
“Shit. That’s right. Real shame. It’s almost worth the discomfort, in my opinion.”
I lifted my eyes to watch my father. His gaze held with the man in question, and I felt the strength radiating from him. This was not the same man who’d begged me to leave two nights ago in a motel room. This was the man who’d controlled most of Mississippi and had earned my respect. The second Tommy broke the stare off, I felt a shift in the air.
“You know, if the likes of you eat here, then I’m not sure I can trust it. Let’s go, boys.”
The boots turned, but my dad was one to always get the last word.
“Later, Brick .”
The boots stopped and spun around with great force. “It’s Razor, jackass, and you know it.” The air was thick with tension, and I wished I could see the look on this man’s face, but it was too risky. So I kept my gaze on my dad’s, reading his expression for all my clues.
“Agonizer’s called a special meeting tomorrow. I wouldn’t miss it if I was you . It’s a welcome home party and everyone is required to attend.”
Hank’s smile dropped and my gut sank. Tommy had the last word this time, leaving that bomb ticking between us.
Neither of us moved until the sound of the last engine was gone, and the silence settled around us in a heavy haze.
“As odd as it is to see you looking like that, it worked.”
I smirked and refilled my coffee mug. “Now you know what that son you always wanted would’ve looked like,” I joked.
Grayson had convinced me to dress like a guy, saying no one would look twice at me with thick sideburns and baggy clothes. I could already see his face when I told him how well it had worked. Cocky fucker. But he was mine, and I loved that about him.
“Oh, sweetie. You were more than I ever deserved.”
Emotion swept me up, and I blinked back tears. The more time I spent with my dad, the harder it was to be angry at him. Part of me knew my anger was because I was scared.
Scared to lose him.
Scared he didn’t believe in me.
Scared I’d disappoint him.
Scared I wouldn’t be enough.
Which was dumb. Fear would only get me killed. It had no place in my thoughts. If I wanted to be taken seriously, I needed to kick the shit out of fear and tell it to fuck off. My stubborn pride could go right along with it.
“If you’re still willing to help, I could use it. I’ve found some things, but I’m unsure if they’re what I’m looking for.”
“I can do that.” He smiled softly, happiness radiating at my acquiescence. We both ordered some food, and I shared the notebook I’d been writing in. My dad scanned through it and then the server, pointing out things I’d missed and praising me for the ones I’d picked up.
“Fuck,” he cursed, pausing on a page. His eyes shifted to me, then back to the page. “You were right. There was a leak, but not how you thought. What did you say that agent’s name was?”
“Bones. He said he knew you, that he’s known about me since birth.”
My father’s brows dipped. “I’ve never heard of an agent named Bones. You know who my contact was.”
Yeah. I did. It had been in the safety deposit box. Why hadn’t I remembered that? I frowned and placed my burger back on my plate. I’d barely taken a bite out of it, but at his tone, my stomach soured, and my appetite fled.
“What is it?”
“One of my guys left a message a month ago that an agent had approached him asking questions. He wasn’t the usual contact, so he asked for the code phrase, but this guy had no clue. Tall, dark hair, and tries too hard?”
“That sounds like him. What did he ask?
“Jackal said he asked about the safe haven, and he let the name slip before he caught himself and redirected with the code phrase. He didn’t say more than a name, but if I had to guess, your Agent Bones is smart and resourceful enough to know it wasn’t a random word.”
“So he’s behind Becca’s disappearance?”
“Possibly. If he wants to pressure Maddox to fulfill his bargain, he might’ve wanted more leverage.”
“I thought the feds were the good guys,” I growled, wishing I’d kicked Agent Bones in the balls.
“Anyone who reigns judgment on others walks a fine line. Their view of right and wrong can become skewed if they’re not careful, justifying their actions as right to get the ‘bad guy.’ I’ve seen a lot of good men do questionable things in the name of justice, and a lot of bad guys go completely over the edge.”
All the things that had pinged my radar about the agent suddenly flared to life, and I knew my dad was right.
Agent Bones had something to do with Maddox’s sister.
I prayed for his sake that Becca was safe, or he’d learn real quick why you didn’t mess with a Mississippi girl.
There were swamps and marshes with his name all over them. He’d never be found after he became alligator food.
“I don’t want to know what you’re thinking, do I?”
I smiled sweetly, sipping my heavenly coffee. “I have no idea what you mean, Hank.”
He laughed, shutting the computer and handing it to me. I shoved it in my bag along with the notebook. I hated that he’d been able to do in a few hours what I’d spent almost two days on. He glanced at his watch and motioned for the check. I sent a message to Maddox about what I’d found. He sent a vague one back that he was leaving and would fill me in more once he arrived.
“You know, you might have four boyfriends, Peanut. But there’s no doubt you have the biggest dick energy out of all of them.”
I spewed coffee all over the table, thankful I’d packed everything up. My dad bellowed, the laugh deep and full, bringing tears to my eyes as I smiled at it. I’d missed that sound.
“Good gravy, man! Warn a girl. I mean, boy.” My dad laughed harder, unleashing some of the tightness in my chest.
Once I’d cleaned up the table and my dad paid the tab, we headed out to the truck he’d borrowed.
“Was that Brick Brick?”
“Yeah. He picked Razor himself when he defected, but road names don’t work that way. He’s still Brick.” My dad’s jaw tensed.
“Why was he given Brick?” I asked, buckling my seat belt.
“Because he’s dumb as one.”
Laughing, I let the lightness I hadn’t felt in a few days return. That was until my dad glanced over as he pulled out of the parking lot, a mischievous smirk on his face.
“Time to see if your men are as good as you believe. They should be on the last test about now.”
I had absolute faith in my guys, but I also remembered how many times it took me to pass MCD. It wouldn’t be easy.