“Everything okay?” she asked tentatively.
Wrench raked fingers through his cropped hair. “Not really. Renna’s been put in witness protection.”
“Witness protection? What happened?”
“Blacksmith happened.” Wrench’s face was a deep scowl that Lydia could sense held a world of worry.
“Blacksmith?” she prodded. The name was familiar.
“The cartel. The one I’m supposed to testify against. They tried to blow up her car.”
“She’s okay, though?” Lydia knew that something else was causing Wrench’s distress. “She didn’t get hurt?”
“She’s okay, but she doesn’t trust the people in the witness program,” Wrench growled. “Says there’s probably a mole, and she doesn’t want them to know about Ally.”
“Your niece?”
“She was with her dad this week, hasn’t been entered into the system, and Renna wants to keep it that way. She wants Ally to come stay with me here.” Wrench stood, pacing to the edge of the pool.
Lydia could almost feel his agitation, and could imagine his panther’s tail lashing. She stood and followed Wrench.
“Her dad can’t keep her?”
Wrench snorted. “Her dad couldn’t protect her from a wet piece of toilet paper,” he said derisively. “And he travels a lot. I gotta go back. If I can’t bring her here, I gotta go take care of Ally myself.”
“Would you be safe? If someone is after your sister…”
“Doesn’t matter,” he growled. “Got no choice.”
“There has to be another option,” Lydia said, exasperated.
Wrench stopped and pivoted to face her. “It’s not that I want to go,” he said mournfully. “I finally felt like I had a chance here, and you…”
“Have her come here,” Lydia said impulsively. “Wait, Jenny’s going to LA tomorrow to do something at her law firm for a few days, she could bring Ally back with her.”
Wrench stared at her, looking suddenly hopeful. “Would Scarlet be okay with that?”
Lydia frowned. “Probably not. She doesn’t want kids at the resort because it’s clothing-optional.”
All the hope that had started to light up his face drained out.
“She doesn’t have to know,” Lydia suggested.
Wrench looked dubious.
“Ally can stay in my room. I have a private bathroom, and no one else uses my courtyard. It wouldn’t be for long, would it?”
“Jenny said that she’d heard from Tony that they were still prepping for the big sting. It might be before Christmas, but that’s not for sure.”
Lydia frowned. “Well, that’s just a month away. And she could come here while we worked out something long term, if it ends up taking longer.”
“I ain’t got money for the plane ticket,” Wrench growled.
“I’ve got airline credits,” Lydia said swiftly. “They bumped me off my last flight home and I’ve got enough to get her this far.”
“Why would you do this for me?” her mate asked wretchedly.
Lydia had been very careful about reaching out to him, seeing how he avoided it. She liked to touch people when she was talking to them. She was used to standing close to people and would frequently pat them, or even put her arm around them if they were friends. She couldn’t resist now, sliding her hand into his carefully and twining her fingers with his. He stiffened, but didn’t pull away.