“I’d trust Gabby with my life.” I give him an irritated look.
“Yes, we heard that on the call.”
I sit on the sofa and put Reed on my lap. I bounce him on my knee. “My dad and I aren’t on good terms. I haven’t spoken to him since he went to prison. Even before then. This isn’t going to be some daddy-daughter dance when I show up asking for this favor.”
“You don’t think he’ll give it to you?” Toby wiggles the purple Martian toy in front of Reed. “Who is this?” he asks Reed. “Your pet?”
“Stop it,” I say, and grab the toy. The last thing I need is for Toby to be a likable liar.
“Hey, calm down. You’ll scare the baby.”
“I need the facts. This Rafa guy is going to hurt the people I love if I don’t figure out what to do.”
“Like Gabby.”
My heart pulls to a halt. I close my eyes. “Yes, like Gabby.”
“And this guy Dylan. Dylan Mercado.”
My eyes pop open. “Leave him out of this.”
“He’s in up to his flashy designer ties.” Toby pretends to grab Reed’s toes and is rewarded with a giggle.
“He has nothing—nothing—at all to do with this.” My palms grow clammy and my lips numb. Now would not be the time to pass out.
“What do you really know about him?”
I furrow my brow and slap Toby’s hand away from Reed’s feet. “A hell of a lot more than you people do.”
“How do you know he’s not in with Rafa?” Toby’s calm voice carries a hint of accusation.
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Did you know he’s in debt? That family business has been struggling for the last five years. Rafa’s been seen at his dealership. Ordered a high-priced car there.”
“It’s a business. So what if Rafa bought a car? It doesn’t mean anything.” I struggle to keep my voice as calm as Toby’s. I trust Dylan and know he wouldn’t do anything wrong. But he did have his attorney, Yvette, at his house for something. I hate Toby for the niggling seed of doubt he’s planted.
“The other guy you work for—Jordy. What do you know about him?”
“Quit. I’m not going to listen to anymore.”
“He’s a software guru. Like your dad was. A coder.”
I stand and turn the baby in my arms. “I need to feed Reed and give him a bath. Unless watching that falls under FBI surveillance, I suggest you head out.”
“Emerson, I need to ask you to cooperate with us.”
“Do I actually have a choice?”
He grimaces. “We need that code before he gets it. It was erased from his primary and backup servers. It belongs to the US government. If you’re smart, you understand that Rafa isn’t giving empty threats.”
“I never assumed they were empty.” I walk to the door and wait for Toby to join me.
“The only way you can protect yourself and Gabby is to have me around. I’ve tried to do this the easy way, but you aren’t taking the bait. Now we do this the hard way. I’m taking you to visit your father and you need to give whatever information he shares to the FBI—to me.”
My head threatens to implode. I close my eyes. “And if I do this it will be over? You guys will put this Rafa dude away?”
“Exactly.” He reaches out and lets Reed grab his finger. Toby’s gaze lifts to meet mine. “You probably don’t like me by now—”
“Probably. Definitely. I might even hate you right now.”
“But you need me. I’m around even if you don’t realize it. I could be closer if you’d let me. Gabby could be protected. From here on out, I’m your boyfriend. You need to ditch Dylan. Play along. If he’s innocent, you’re the only thing that can keep Rafa from putting a bullet in his head. If he’s guilty, more the reason to stay away from him.”
“He’s innocent. I’m positive.”
He swipes a finger across Reed’s cheek. “I’m not a bad guy. I like keeping people safe. It’s the best part of my job.”
“Then go be a school crossing guard or something.” I mash my lips together in a stubborn line. “Okay. What do I have to do with you? If there’s any risk of this blowing up in our faces and this Rafa guy even getting a hint that you’re not for real, I’m out. I’ll find a way to give him what he wants before he hurts my family.”
“I’ll pretend you didn’t say you’d engage in illegal interactions to help a known criminal.” He pretends to shake Reed’s tiny hand. His gaze lifts to mine. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Gotta get home and let Diesel out.”
My mouth drops. “The dog? The dog’s for real? Or is he an FBI plant? A phony like you, Toby.” I emphasize his name, drawing out each letter.
“Diesel’s the real deal. And my name’s Tobias, so Toby is close enough.”
“Whatever, Tobias. You’re a liar. Maybe you’re working for Rafa.”
“You don’t believe that.” He pauses. “Emerson, you need to listen carefully. Don’t do anything crazy. We think Rafa will lie low while he waits for you to visit your father. But after that, we don’t know.”
I step aside. Toby leaves with a grim smile and a wave. A hollow feeling comes over me. I picture my mother’s empty eyes when the guy pulled her from the lake. It was like she’d lost her reason to hang on to sanity.
Tomorrow my life will change in a way I didn’t ask for. I’ll practice dishonesty as I lie to Gabby about Toby’s identity. I’ll hope Rafa doesn’t suspect anything. I’ll cut my ties with Dylan when I explain we can’t date because I’m not into him.
I’ll be my father’s daughter in the art of deception—and I’ll be empty.
The staff at the Four Seasons is efficient and takes only minutes to give me the room key. The lobby is quiet and my boot heels echo against the hard floor. Inside the elevator, I press the button for my floor and fall back against the wall.
I’m taking what I want tonight, because tomorrow is when hell begins. Dylan will hate me. Gabby will probably want to date my new fake boyfriend. My dad will understand that only threats to my family’s life could bring about my visit.
The elevator trip isn’t long enough. The doors slide open and I walk down the hallway on unsteady legs. When I get to the room, I lean my forehead against the door.
It’s not too late to turn around. Sleeping with Dylan will be the cruelest thing I’ve ever done. My belly clenches and I’m breathing too fast.
The door pulls open and I gasp. Dylan catches me before I can fall. An ice bucket tumbles to my feet.
His arms wrap around me in a tender hold. “Gorgeous Girl, you’re here. I was going to get some ice.”
“Hey.” I fist the back of his shirt with both hands and push him inside, leaving the discarded bucket.
He gives me a sexy grin. “Getting ice can wait. I thought you might want—”
“Kiss me. Now. Please.” If he doesn’t stop my brain from analyzing all the wrongs I’m about to commit, I won’t be able to stay.