He groaned. “Fuck.”
“You have to call your dad.”
And tell him that a cartel was using his platform—one of the fastest-growing social media apps in the world—to help them do their dirty work?
“Why? I don’t owe the bastard anything.” But that was a knee-jerk reaction, and Zy knew it as soon as he spewed the words.
Trees sighed. “I know, but people are using his platform to coordinate illegal activities and violence.”
Which was very clearly against Abuzz’s terms of service. That should absolutely infuriate his father. Phillip Garrett was all about being a good global citizen, especially when that meant protecting his multibillion-dollar baby. The man had proven over and over that he cared more about Abuzz than pretty much anything…
On the other hand, people were being hurt because of this bullshit. If the cartel’s communication was flying under the radar of the platform’s bots and monitors, Zy knew he’d have to reach out and make sure his father stopped it.
Fuck.
“What do you think are the odds that my dad will respond to a text?”
“And not call you in the first two minutes to ask a million questions, then chew your ass out for taking a perilous job blowing up shit, rather than the cushy executive desk he wanted to give you?” Trees snorted.
The thought gave Zy hives. “I was afraid of that.”
Why did his dad have to be a sharp, tech savvy, fucking brilliant businessman?
“I wish I had a better answer for you, but… Sorry, man.”
Trees meant well and he was trying to help. “It is what it is. You did me a solid by telling me. If we can shut down this line of the cartel’s communications, they should have a more difficult time finding Valeria.”
“Exactly. When was the last time you guys talked?”
Zy winced. “Just before I boarded my flight in Qatar. I had him pull some strings to get me on a flight out of the Middle East before I got arrested, and predictably he reamed me out.”
“You blew up the communications facilities they were constructing.”
“Because every son of a bitch they hired to help with that endeavor was on the take and—”
“I know. But the optics of his own son blowing up the facility he was helping to fund to ensure that poor people in rural areas would have reliable means of communicating wasn’t good.”
“That isn’t what they were doing in that place. They were only going to make the rich richer by building a substandard facility that was a hazard, pocketing the extra cash, then gouging the poor with exorbitant rates for piss-poor service.”
“Your dad didn’t see it that way.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“Do you really have to ask that question? I’m just trying to give you his angle so you’re prepared. How did you two end that last chat? I’m guessing it wasn’t on good terms.”
“I hung up on him.” And he’d dodged every call since.
“Well, you need him now. Time to make nice.”
“Tell you what. Let’s trade jobs. I won’t be tempted to nail Laila, and my dad doesn’t hate you,” he joked.
Trees laughed. “No can do. The bosses put you in charge. And your dad is afraid of me.”
He was, and the first time Phillip had met Trees, all big and bad and tattooed, Zy thought his dad was going to piss his pants. “An even better reason for you to talk to him.”
Trees scoffed. “He won’t even take my call. Man up, dial his digits, and get this shit taken down. When I pull over to get some shut-eye, I’ll send you screenshots so you can be specific with him.”
“Thanks, man.” Zy hated what he had to do, but he appreciated the information that might help him finish this mission sooner.
“Just trying to help.”
He knew. “Stay safe, check in, and keep your dick in your pants.”
Trees sighed. “The first two? No sweat. The last one… No promises.”
Zy headed back into the house and frowned. It was still and dark. And when he poked his head into Tessa’s bedroom, she lay in bed wearing a pair of silky blue pajamas with a book open on her chest, fast asleep.
He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t feeling the effects of a whole night of sex himself. Exhaustion nipped at him, but he pushed it aside. He wasn’t making love to Tessa tonight, and he hated to wake her. And sadly, finding a safe house for Valeria and her son in the next five hours and calling his dad were more pressing than his hungry cock.
With a sigh, he kissed Tessa softly.
She sat up with a startled gasp. “What? What’s going on?”
“Nothing. You fell asleep.”
“Oh. Sorry. You were on the phone for a while, and—”
“I totally understand.”
“You coming to bed?” She propped herself up on her elbows and searched his face.
Even in the moonlight, she looked tired, dark circles bruising her under eyes. He couldn’t be a selfish bastard tonight. She needed to rest. And he had other priorities.