Chapter 263

Nothing was showing on the security cameras. ‘Error!’ flashed across the screens when he tried to access recorded footage.

Victor ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Somebody overrode the system. We can’t trust it until I get somebody here to check it out.”

“That sounds like the tech-savvy car thieves who took Amy’s Mercedes.” I walked over and put my arms around him. “Was somebody in the garage?”

“I’d bet on it,” he replied. “We shouldn’t drive our cars until they are checked out.”

“I apologize for bringing this problem into your life,” I said. “And I’m sorry for what happened at Gray’s restaurant last night. I’m afraid the only way to fix it is to help get the intruders locked up.”

Victor put his arms around me and kissed my temples. “I should have helped you from the beginning of your investigation. I never thought you would get close enough to the murderer to set them off like this.”

I nuzzled his throat. “That sounds like a compliment.”

He laughed. “It was, but now you must let me help you solve the case and keep you safe.”

“Any help is welcome,” I said. “But I want to see this through to the end.”

Victor picked up his phone. “Then I’ll make the arrangements that I have in mind.”

One of the arrangements was for guards to watch the apartment while we got a few more hours of sleep, a tech team to go over the alarm system, and two mechanics to look over the three vehicles in Victor’s garage before they were driven.

“The guards will be outside in a few minutes,” Victor said as he climbed back into bed. “Come on, sweetheart.” He patted the mattress next to him. “Let’s go back to sleep.”

I lay down and slept until nine the next morning. Victor’s side of the bed was empty, and I smelled coffee.

After wrapping a robe around me, I followed the delicious aroma to the kitchen. I was rested enough, but a good cup of coffee would start my day right.

But when I entered the kitchen, two hulking, muscle-bound males were sitting on the counter stools.

“Who are you!” I shrieked. Victor was broad-chested and muscular, but these two had no necks, and they looked like they could bench press a jeep.

“Victor said to give you this note and to call him if you have any questions,” no-neck number one said.

“Want some coffee?” no-neck number two asked. “I brought it with me. It’s a blend of coffees from three continents.”

“Uh, sure,” I replied. “Coffee would be great.” I took the mug and Victor’s note and went into the living room. I sat on the ripped couch and began to read.

Sweetheart,

The two gentlemen in the apartment with you are your new bodyguards. You can trust them. They work for the association and can’t be bribed or paid off.

The mechanics cleared your car to be driven. It had a tracker hidden on it that wasn’t mine, and someone tampered with your gas line. It could have caused a fire after your engine heated up.

Stay with Moose and Bert until I come home, even if you’re working with Jayden.

Don’t forget to call Amy and offer her and her father the beach house, and ask her if the red wolves are male or female.

All my love,

Victor.

“Their names are Moose and Bert,” I mumbled. “Great.” But when I tried the coffee, I decided they weren’t so bad. It was delicious. I took another sip and dialed Amy. She answered quickly.

“Daisy, you’re not gonna believe this,” she said. There was anger and sadness in her voice.

“Is your dad all right?” I would feel terrible if he didn’t make it.

“Dad is going to be fine,” Amy replied. “He’s sleeping off some painkillers, so I came home. I’m mad because I opened my mail and found rejections to all of the colleges that we applied to together.”

“That was fast,” I said. “I haven’t heard from any of them yet. And I don’t understand why. You have great test scores, even better than mine.”

“They probably saw that I’m a hybrid and declined my applications,” she said with bitterness in her voice. “The only university that accepted me is the city college where Justin attends classes.”

“Are you going to enroll there?” I asked. I was disappointed because I wanted to attend the same university as Amy. But I didn’t want to attend the city college.

“Yes,” Amy replied. “I plan on starting there for the fall semester.”

I remembered Victor’s offer of the beach house. “Good, then you have time for a vacation. Victor told me your dad can’t work for at least six weeks. He would like you, your father, and Justin to stay at his beach house for a while.”

“Is this to keep us safe from the red wolves?” Amy asked.

“Yes,” I admitted. “And it will be a great place for your dad to recover from his wounds.”

“It sounds great to me,” Amy said. “Dad won’t want to leave the restaurant, though.”

“Can’t his sous chef and assistants take over for a few weeks?” I  asked.

“Yeah, but what about the bookkeeping, scheduling of employees, and ordering supplies.”

“Why don’t you ask Andy?” I suggested. “I’d bet he would love to do you and your dad a favor.”

“I’ll ask him,” Amy agreed. “He was at the hospital to check on us last night and asked if there was anything he could do. I’ll ask him and have all the details worked out before I tell my dad about Victor’s offer.”

“If your dad can’t work, at least you guys can spend some time on the beach.”

“It does sound perfect,” Amy said. “Thank you to you and Victor. What are you doing today? Please stay safe.”

“I’m going to the mansion to see Alex and get more of my stuff to bring to the apartment. Don’t worry about my safety. Victor hired two beefy bodyguards.”

“Good for him,” Amy said. “Now let them do their job.”

We hung up, and I told Moose and Bert I was going to visit my father. They were pleased to be meeting the current leader of the association in his home.

I insisted on driving my car there, and they followed me closely in a new black SUV.

When we arrived at the mansion, Alex wasn’t home, and Benson was wringing his hands. He barely acknowledged the two freakishly muscular males following me like baby ducklings after their mother.

“What’s wrong, Benson?” I asked.

“Your father’s best suit is at the dry cleaners. He plans on wearing it tonight, and I have no way of picking it up. My car is in the shop.”

“Have Joe take you in the limo,” I suggested. “Alex won’t mind.”

“He’s using the limo today, Miss,” Benson replied.

“I could take you,” I offered. “I have time.”

Benson sighed with relief. “That would be wonderful, Miss Wilson. Thank you.”

We went out the front door to my car with my bodyguards a few steps behind us.

Benson finally acknowledged them. “Who are those two gentlemen?”

“Victor wants them to follow me around for a while.”

“Bodyguards?” Benson looked Moose and Bert over.

“Yes,” I replied with a smile. “Do you feel safer?”

Benson laughed. “I’m sure they are good at their job.”

Benson and I buckled up, and I headed toward the side of town where the dry cleaner was located.

But as I pulled out from a stop sign, a red car plowed through the intersection and ran into my front driver-side fender.

“No!” I cried after both cars stopped moving. “Are you hurt, Benson?”

Benson fought his way out of the airbag and seat belt. “I’m fine, Miss.”

Moose and Bert ran to my window and helped me out of the car.

“She ran the stop sign,” Benson said about the other car's driver. “And I’d swear it was on purpose.”

“That’s what it looked like to us,” Bert said. “We don’t want you getting close to the driver of the red car until we check her out.

“Did you say a red car, and she hit me on purpose?” I grumbled.

“Yes, look, she’s trying to get out of that red convertible right now,” Moose told me.

“I know who she is, and I know she hit my car on purpose,” I growled and marched to the driver's side of the red convertible.

Enough was enough!