19. Tucker
19
Tucker
“ A ny new news?”
I wish I had something to give Justin. I have no idea how Shane is such a ghost after more than two years of stalking Katy and almost a decade of Spencer before that.
“No. The call to Dempsey was from a burner phone. It was turned off immediately after they hung up.”
“Shit. What more can we do? How’s Patrick?” I can hear the defeat in Justin’s voice, and it runs as deep as mine. I hate that this asshole is still out there and taunting our girls.
“He’s broody. Doesn’t talk much. He’s doing his job well.” With the new development between Katy and Dempsey, we thought it would be good to have another set of eyes around at all times. Not that any of us believe that Dempsey would be a less efficient bodyguard for her. It’s actually the opposite. We know he’ll be on higher alert. He has more to lose now. We hired Patrick in hopes that he would share the burden. It also gives us peace of mind when they’re out, or she’s separate from Owen.
“He’s overqualified to be a babysitter for Owen, but he has the skills if they are needed. And I pay him well, so he has nothing to complain about.”
“I have no doubt, Justin. How’s my niece and nephew?”
“Wonderful as always. You should all come over for dinner soon. We’ve seen a lot of Katy but not the rest of you.”
We hang up with the promise of an evening together, and I text Dempsey. I saw them come home not that long ago, and Patrick is walking the grounds.
Tucker: Need to talk outside.
Dempsey: 10-4
Patrick nods at me as I pass him in the yard. As I approach the pool house, Dempsey steps out, closing the door behind him.
“How are they?” I nod to the door.
“Napping. We went to S’morgasm for lunch. How was Owen last night?”
“An angel as always.” We love having Owen over. We treat him as our own, and he’s completely spoiled. Would I have loved to have children with Spencer? Absolutely. But it wasn’t in the cards for us as a family, and I don’t regret it. Spencer is the love of my life, and I’m pretty fond of those three other assholes too.
“My guy checked all the cars, and no tracking devices were found. I also had him check the security systems, and everything is locked down tight. I wish I had more news for you.”
“I always appreciate good news.”
A silence falls between us, and I wait to see if he’ll confide in me about Katy. He didn’t flinch when I referred to her as my daughter last night. Dempsey knows I’m fiercely protective of Katy. Blood or not, she’s my daughter.
“I’ll do right by her, Tucker. I promise. As long as she’ll have me, I’ll be good to her.”
“Did you work out your issue?”
“I think we’ve come to a comparable agreement.” I noticed a difference between them when they came to pick up Owen this morning, so whatever agreement they came up with seems to have made them both happy.
“Good. And Patrick? Is everything working out well with him?”
I can tell by the look in his eyes he appreciates my change of subject. I trust him. If I didn’t, he’d be gone, and he knows it.
“He wasn’t a fan of our little outing today because he had to watch Owen alone for a while, but he seems good at his job.”
“Outing? I thought you went to S’morgasm? Why would he have to watch Owen alone if you all went together?”
Dempsey’s face pales.
“Um…”
He’s nervous. I’ve never seen him this way before. What happened at the coffee place that has him jittery?
“Dempsey, what aren’t you telling me?”
He looks toward the pool house and rubs the back of his neck.
“Do you not know about the blue door at S’morgasm?”
Blue door? Blue door?
I have no idea what he’s talking about. I’m particular with my coffee and prefer a specific roast. I only drink at home, Katy’s house, or at Midnight Moonshine because I make sure it’s the specific coffee I like. I’ve never been to S’morgasm other than dropping others off. I know it’s a place where you can make s’mores at your table, and they have a free cup of coffee program. I’ve never heard anything about a blue door.
“I don’t. Would you care to enlighten me?”
Dempsey looks even more nervous, if possible. He’s sputtering for words when the door opens behind him, and a sleepy-eyed Katy squints at us through the sun.
“What’s going on out here? Are we having secret meetings?”
“Dempsey was just telling me about the blue door at S’morgasm.”
Katy’s eyebrows shoot up, and she looks at him. “Which part were you telling him about? Was it the silk blindfold? Or maybe the candle that melts into massage oil?”
She stares Dempsey down, and his eyes shift everywhere but at me.
“Oh! Wait, it must have been the vibrating cock ring.”
I’m beginning to see a pattern and why Dempsey’s previous pale complexion is turning shades of red the more she talks. He’s begging her with his eyes to stop talking, but Katy seems to be having too much fun.
“No. I got it.” She steps up to his chest and dips her head to meet his gaze. “You told him about the nine-inch strap-on we bought so I can peg you.”
Katy smiles a triumphant smile while a barely audible “fuck” hisses from Dempsey.
“Sir, I—“
“Stop. I don’t think I want to know what goes on behind your closed doors.” I point a finger at Katy, then Dempsey. “Be safe, and if you have any questions, ask anyone but me.”
I adjust my hat and turn away from them with too many thoughts swirling through my head.
Group Chat 5:
Tucker: Tell me about the blue door at S’morgasm.
Miller: Oh shit.
Lincoln: Who told you?
Axel: Is it time to take Daddy Tucker shopping?!
Spencer: It’s an adult toy store.
Tucker: If I have to know, so do y’all. Our daughter went there with Dempsey and bought a vibrating cock ring and a strap-on for pegging.
I close my phone and place it in my pocket. The vibrations come quick and so does my smile, knowing tonight should be fun.