“I'm sure. Did you do it, by the way?”
“You mean the dove?” His forehead wrinkles and he leans against the window. “Yeah. I got it in the glove box with seconds to spare. His mom almost saw me though.”
“But she didn't. Good to know you still got those ninja skills.” My brother is good at what he does and it's what's kept him in business all these years. Besides being one of the town's best private investigators, he's also a highly recommended bodyguard, taking on clients of every variety.
Connor chuckles, pulling out his phone. “Yeah, well, this ninja has a date tonight, so hopefully you won't be requiring any more of these badass skills until tomorrow.”
I nudge his arm, cracking a smile. “Look at you, finally getting back out there after what's her face.”
He sucks in a sharp breath. “It's time. She's not coming back and I'm not getting any cuter.”
“Can't argue with that last one.”
He shoots me a glare and cop cars speed past us. My phone rings and when I see Lennon's number on the screen, I ignore it.
“Is that your boss calling to tell you to stay in your lane?”
I shrug. “Probably.” Aside from what they all think, thisismy fucking lane and I won't be leaving it until I know Ignacio's safe. He was right before. I exposed him. It would have happened in time but I sped up the process, placing a target on his back.
“You're not going to answer?”
“Nope. He can bitch at me when I return to the office next week.”
“That's a bit soon, isn't it?
“I've never been a man to sit still for too long, you know that.”
“I do. Promise me one thing.”
“Yeah?”
“You won't get involved in any more of this kid’s affairs?”
I speed up, staring ahead. “I can but it will be one I'll more than likely break.”
Sighing, he pinches between his brows, leaning against the seat. “You can't keep putting yourself at risk like this over some guilt you still harbor.”
It's more than guilt now. An unexplainable force has me wanting to be closer. I can say it's for my own peace of mind or because of some promise I made, but I'm not sure those are the only reasons anymore. Staying away won't help me find the answers.
My vibrating phone pulls me out of my thoughts. I wait until we pull into my brother's driveway before checking my messages.
Little Dove:You can stop trying to be my hero now.
Smiling, I type out a message and then delete it.
“Who's that?” Connor asks. “Oh, wait. Please say it's not who I think it is.”
“Con,” I say, clenching my teeth.
“Yeah, yeah it's none of my damn business,” he says, throwing his hands up. “Only when you need to borrow my car and for me to help save your little friend.”
“They would have recognized mine. Yours has mostly stayed safe in your garage while you've been using your van for work. You didn't have to come with me.”
He rolls his eyes, shoving the car door open. “Yes, I did. Besides, I didn't need you getting yourself killed or wrecking my new car.”
He exits the passenger seat, slamming the door behind him, and I sit alone in the car, reading over Ignacio's message until I'm finally able to move my fingers against the keypad again.
Me: Where are you? I hope you didn't go back.