Lib Novel Page 70
The declaration hung in the air between us like a heavy fog. Owen shook his head slowly, taking a long breath as he processed what I’d just said. He let out an exhalation that seemed to carry the weight of the world.
“Look, Nathan,” Owen finally said, his voice steady despite the storm I could see brewing in his eyes. “There’s no way in hell I’ll ever agree with how you make your living. But I’m not blind. I can see it in her eyes—Abby’s happy when she’s with you. And despite everything, it’s clear you care about her. “
“Thanks,” I muttered, the words barely more than a rasp. My throat felt tight, constricted. “I just…I hope it all works out.”
“My daughter is stubborn,” Owen continued. “There’s no way for me to talk her out of anything. I raised her to go after what she wants, and I guess you’re what she wants. So I’m not going to stand in the way of this. But you’re a grown man, and I expect you to make sure she’s safe. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Nothing matters to me more than your daughter’s safety.”
“If you’re lying to me, Zhou, the last thing you’ll have to worry about is your…plant shop activities,” Owen continued. “And I want to make this clear. This isn’t a threat, it’s a consequence. I’m sure you’re familiar with those.”
I practically flinched. No one really dared speak to me like that, and I could see where Abby got her guts from. I should’ve hated this cop, but I couldn’t help but admire him.
What would I have been like, if I’d had a father like this?
“Yes,” I said. “I’m deeply familiar with consequences.”
Owen’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second, and he nodded. “Good. For what it’s worth, I hope it works out, too. And Nathan,” he added, the cop in him never off duty, “if you ever want out, if you’re looking for an exit from your…business, you know who to talk to.”
The offer hung there, a ladder out of the dark. It was a lifeline—one I might need sooner rather than later.
“Understood,” I said, giving him a nod before standing up. The chair scraped against the floor, sounding louder than it should have as I pushed it back and walked away.
Exiting the Copper Spoon, I could feel the weight of Owen’s eyes on my back, heavy with a father’s concern and a cop’s suspicion. Once outside, I pulled out my phone, my fingers working over the screen until I found Jack Kensington’s number. The call connected on the third ring.
“Jack, it’s Nathan,” I said without preamble, my voice low as I paced beside the curb where my car was parked. “Can you get up to San Fran for a meeting? Something’s going down, and I might need a friend outside of this mess.”
“Sure thing,” came his reply, no hesitation. “You just say the word.”
“Thanks, man,” I said, ending the call.
The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows over the street, the day’s end signaling the beginning of something else—something uncertain. The city lights began to flicker on as dusk settled over San Francisco, and I felt the night wrap around me like a cloak. There were moves to be made, alliances to forge, and demons to confront.
But for now, it was just me and the road, with Abby waiting back at home.
“Whatever it takes,” I whispered to myself. “Whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
Chapter Thirty-Four: Abby
Iflitted around the house, my fingers brushing against surfaces, straightening cushions on the couch, and swiping at any speck of dust that dared to mar the sleek coffee table. Justin and Lily would be here any minute, and I wanted everything to be perfect. But as I adjusted a vase of freshly cut roses, my nose twitched, haunted by an imaginary stench from the basement.
No one could ever find out what lay beneath this polished façade.
“Shake it off, Abby,” I muttered under my breath. We had covered our tracks well–I knew Nathan was an expert at this–but even so, the thought made my stomach churn like the stormy sea visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The kitchen became my haven, the sizzle and pop of garlic hitting the hot pan music to my ears. I poured the cream into the skillet, stirring the white sauce, its rich aroma promising a dinner to impress. I was just about to add a pinch of salt when the sharp rap of knuckles against wood echoed through the hall.
“Finally,” I breathed, a smile curving my lips as I wiped my hands on my apron. I expected to see Justin’s impish grin or Lily’s sparkling eyes, but instead, my heart stalled in my chest when I opened the door.
Diane Hayes stood there, her presence an unwelcome intrusion in my carefully curated world. Her FBI badge wasn’t on display, but the authority she carried was unmistakable. My mind raced—why was she here? She shouldn’t have had this address. How could she just show up?
I fixed my face, greeting her with a tight smile. “Agent Hayes.”
“Abigail,” she greeted with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And please–call me Diane. May I come in?”
“Uh, Diane, hi,” I managed, blocking the doorway subtly. “This isn’t the best time.”
“Of course,” she said, her gaze slipping past me, attempting to pierce the secrets that clung to the shadows of the entryway. It struck me how much she reminded me of a cat, poised and ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. But I couldn’t let her in; not now, not ever.