Chapter Five
LINC
Sleep didn’t come easy last night. I’ve been trained to fall asleep in minutes, to take what rest I can.
No amount of training would overcome the reminder that Darcy slept right down the hall.
I told myself bringing her home was about her safety and Gracie.
But lying to myself doesn’t change the fact that she’s close. Too close.
Too tempting.
Dusted with flour, a huge grin lighting her eyes, laughing as she tossed some at me while Gracie danced around us.
She was fucking gorgeous. Too bright and pretty to be in my world, but perfect for Gracie.
Seeing them together was good. Last night was the first night in fourteen months since my little girl giggled like that.
She needs Darcy. That’s exactly why I can’t fuck this up by giving into temptation.
“Hey boss, it’s time to close,” Clara calls through the partially open office door, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Good.” A yawn hits me hard. I’m going to need more coffee for the meeting with Derek and Keane. I grab my tablet, then lock my office and head for the coffee machine.
“On the counter,” she says, flipping the sign on the cafe door and locking it. There’s a paper cup on the counter, with “The Boss” scribbled in Clara’s swirling handwriting. She winks at me. “You gotta stay awake to hire a new barista since you stole my last one.”
I grunt and grab the cup, taking a big swig as I head for the back door. She’s not wrong. “I’ll send someone over to help you lock up.” I ignore her protest. She knows the rules. No one locks up alone here. It’s a fairly safe city, but I protect my employees as if they were family. No exceptions.
I push through the door and head to Derek’s office.
He texted earlier to arrange this meeting.
I have the sense things are heating up in this case.
It’s not one we normally focus on. Our specialty is helping clients in dangerous situations.
This time, there’s no specific client. Just a need to keep our city safe from these dirtbags who trade in flesh.
Derek has his boots kicked up on the desk, his tatted fingers laced behind his head, and a cup of coffee beside him. Did he come into Arcane earlier? I’m off my game if he did, and I didn’t notice.
Keane is in one of the other chairs, propped against the wall on only two legs.
His long brown hair is tied back in a bun and flecks of paint color his fingers laced over his stomach.
He looks relaxed and happy. Not hard to guess how Winter gave him that look.
They’ve been in a honeymoon phase for months.
“I’m surprised you’re here, Easton.” I nudge his foot as I slide past to take the other chair.
Keane snorts. “I do work here.”
“He does,” Derek says. “He brings me coffee.”
I chuckle and turn to Keane. “When you left the service, did you know you’d be his errand boy?”
He grins and flips me off. “He pays me extra.”
Derek fights a smile. It’s always been like this. We’re as tight as blood brothers. Although things have changed some, since Gideon and Keane have settled down, and Caleb moved to fucking Montana. Still, I’d trust any of them to have my back. Same as I would do for them.
Derek sits up and reaches for a folder. He hands some photos to both of us. “We need to talk about these anonymous Los Cazadores tips.”
Keane glances at me. “Derek said the tip was accurate from what you saw the other night?”
I nod. Two of these photos are from my trip to the warehouse.
Four men are overseeing the unloading of wood crates from a container.
I also scouted the guards and entry points.
“They’re busy, but I didn’t see anything to suggest they hold people there.
” I know the signs to look for, courtesy of too many years in the dark underbelly of humanity. We all do.
“That’s one good thing,” Keane says.
Derek tosses the rest of the file on his desk. “It’s concerning. These anonymous tips are too fucking good. Too convenient.”
“You think they’re coming from someone inside Los Cazadores?” Keane asks.
“Yeah. As bait,” Derek growls.
“Why? To see how we respond?” It’s possible. If they’re aware of our interest, they could be trying to gauge us as a threat. Same as we’re doing to them.
“Who we send. What we take note of and what we do. Testing our response to the tip.” Derek pounds a fist on his desk. “If I’m right, both of you are targets.”
A chill runs through me. I went home after scoping that last call. I made sure I wasn’t followed, but what if I’m wrong? What if I led them straight back to Gracie? To Darcy?
“Bullshit. I’m not letting anyone get near Winter,” Keane growls.
Fury burns inside me that these fuckers think they’re invincible. That they take what doesn’t belong to them and exploit it. Anything to make a profit. If anyone even tries to harm those I love… “They do and they’ll die painfully.” It’s a promise.
“I think it’s time to call in some extra protection. Got a call from Mason. He’s in town for a couple days,” Derek replies.
That pulls me up short. “Mason Walker?”
“Just got back from Texas. He’s quiet about it, but he’s here.”
Mason’s former Delta, like us. Sharp. Steady. Deadly quiet but as big as a bear. The kind of man you trust to have your six.
“I could ask him to help out. Since he’s not a regular at Citadel, chances are good these fuckers won’t know about him,” Derek says.
Keane and I share a glance. Neither one of us want to put anyone else in the mix until we know more. “How sure are you these tips are trying to draw us out?”
“Since no one has come forward to take credit for the intel, or to ask for our help… it seems likely. Either way, I don’t like it.”
“Talk to Mason,” Keane says. “Bring him up to speed in case we need to call him in.”
I agree.
Derek raps his knuckles on the desk. “Done. Watch your six, both of you. Keane, make sure Sol is aware. It’s too easy to access us through Arcane and Double Tap. We need all our heads on a swivel.”
“What’s the plan?” he asks.
“Protect our own and not sit back to see what these assholes do. I’ll tap some of my contacts that are still in. Get everything they have. Then, we’ll clean up our city.”
Draining the last of my coffee, I head out. The need to make sure my girls are safe is riding me hard.
My girls?
Darcy is under my protection, but she isn’t mine. Jesus. Why the fuck can’t I get that through my head?
I slowly roll out of the Quarter in my truck, narrowly avoiding a group of partiers decked out in colorful plastic beads, who stumble out into the street. They wave their drinks at me in salute for not mowing them down, then wander away. There’s no place like New Orleans after dark.
I’ve just crossed out of the Quarter into the Business District when my phone alerts.
Every muscle clenches at those three, short buzzes.
My heart slams against my ribs, and ice slides down my spine.
“No. No, no, no.” I yank my phone out of my jeans and pull up my security system.
Something triggered the perimeter alarm at the house.
“Shit!” I’m still a good ten minutes away.
I jam my foot down on the gas pedal and weave through traffic.
Cars honk and more than one swerve out of my way, but I don’t give a fuck.
My only thought is to get home. Not what could happen before I get there or who might have triggered it.
If I give in to those concerns, I’ll panic, and fear won’t do my girls a damn bit of good.
I make it home in four minutes. The outdoor floodlights light up the yard around the house, triggered by the alarm.
I park on the street, check my weapon, then move through the shadows toward the gate.
Nothing moves in the surrounding darkness.
There’s no noise other than street traffic.
I quickly enter the gate code, then slip through.
Circling the house, I scan the doors and windows.
Everything appears locked. Using a quick entry code on the numerical lock, and ease inside the back door.
The television is on, and I hear soft sniffles.
Weapon raised, I creep through the house until I have a clear line of sight into the living room. Darcy is holding Gracie, rubbing her back as she walks in circles. My mother is at a friend’s for their weekly bridge game.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”
“But I heard something outside!” Gracie wails, gripping her tighter.
“I know, baby. We’ll call your daddy, okay?”
I holster my gun and pull my shirt over it. “I’m here.”
Darcy spins, blue eyes wide when I step into the living room. She lets out a deep breath, and her shoulders sag. “Linc! You startled me.”
I cross the distance and wrap my arms around them both. It’s instinct. One I’m not going to deny. “I’ve got you,” I whisper against Darcy’s hair. “I’ve got you both.”
Gracie wraps her little arm around my neck, holding me close while keeping her other arm around Darcy. “I’m scared, Daddy.”
“I know. You stay with Darcy a few more minutes, okay? Let me make sure the house is all locked up.”
“But what if someone gets you?” Gracie’s tears stream down her face, every one an arrow to my heart.
“I’ll be careful, pumpkin. Promise. Daddy needs to make sure you’re safe.” I gently extricate myself from them, then guide Darcy over to the old butler pantry. It’s one of the few rooms in the house without windows. “Stay here until I come back.”
She nods, pale, but strong. She’s scared, but she’s hiding it from Grace, working to keep my daughter calm.
My respect for her rises about ten notches as I sweep the rest of the house.
The windows and doors are locked, and there’s no sign of tampering.
Next, I check the security cameras. Someone came over the back fence, which triggered the alarm.
They tripped over one of Gracie’s toys when the floodlights came on, hitting a lawn chair.
That must have been the noise Gracie heard. It spooked them, and they ran.
I quickly return to my girls, calling to them before opening the door. “All clear. No one is here.”
Gracie shakes in Darcy’s arms. “What was it, Daddy? A racoon?”
Darcy meets my eyes, silently begging me not to tell Gracie anything. On this we agree. “That’s right. Just a racoon. He got scared and ran away.”
“I don’t like racoons.” Gracie sniffs and rubs her eyes.
“Me either,” Darcy adds.
My relief is palpable yet fear and rage coil in my gut.
I reach for Gracie, tucking her close to my chest, then cup Darcy’s cheek.
A faint tremor runs through her. I stroke my thumb across her cheekbone.
Her skin is soft and warm, and I swear she leans into my hand a little, seeking a small bit of comfort.
Heat surges through me when she licks her lips.
“You did good tonight.” An understatement.
“I should have been here. Should have kept you safe.” I won’t make that mistake again.
If I can’t be here to protect them, then someone I trust will. End of story.
Her chin trembles. “I’m glad you came.”
“I will always come for you. You’re under my protection now.” The truth of it is in my heart before the words are out. She’s important to Grace, yes. But also, to me.
Her eyes turn glassy. She sniffs. “You’re a good dad, Lincoln Wolf.”
I thread my fingers through her hair and draw her closer.
“Not when I think about you.” The need to kiss her is overwhelming, but Gracie is watching us with interest. If I kiss Darcy…
when I kiss her, it won’t be with an audience.
I have a feeling that the moment I taste her, I’m going to want far more than a kiss.
I press my forehead to hers. “I need you safe, Darcy. You’re ours. ”
You’re mine.
I tuck a strand of silky red hair behind her ear. I know I should bury these feelings back where they belong. It’s getting hard to fight them. There are a dozen reasons why Darcy and I shouldn’t be together. Right now, I can’t think of a damned one. Taking her hand, I lead them toward the kitchen.
“How about some milk, pumpkin?”
Gracie’s head pops up. “And a cookie?”
There’s my girl, milking the moment for all it’s worth. She’s going to be just fine. “One cookie.” Gracie wiggles out of my arms and dances a few feet ahead into the kitchen. I squeeze Darcy’s hand. “Can you watch her for a couple minutes? I need to make a call.”
“Of course. But I can’t guarantee we’ll save you a cookie.” Her smile is tremulous.
“You better.” My mock growl doesn’t faze her a bit.
She laughs and goes to help Gracie, while I step into the living room. Derek picks up on the second ring.
“Linc. You okay?”
“Yeah. We had company tonight. I’ll send you the video. Looks like an amateur, so it might not be related.”
“I don’t like it. Are Grace and Darcy, okay?”
“Yes. Shaken but holding up.”
“Good. I’ll analyze the footage as soon as you send it.”
“Thanks. And Derek? Make that call to Mason. I want someone watching my girls every damn second.”