Page 106 of Unruly

“Do you want to hear it from Cross, or—”

Catherine slammed the SUV door shut to close out Cece from hearing her next words. “Just fucking tell me.”

“Someone shot up the house. Cross was in the kitchen, I guess. Happened early this morning his time. Whoever did it left this photo taped to the front door. We need to move, get on a plane, and get you home. Especially if someone is following you.”

Fuck.

“It’s Evira,” Catherine said. “The competition is Evira Masters.”

Miguel let out a harsh breath. “She was on the list, yeah.”

He had gathered all the names of girls who had left over the last few years, and clients that had been connected to them through the business. Unfortunately, the girls often rotated clients unless one was willing to pay extra to keep a particular girl on his list as a repeat deliverer.

“So you mean to tell me I finally know who I have to go after, but I need to go home?” Catherine asked.

“Someone was less than forty feet away from you and Cece.”

“I know that, but—”

“I look out for your safety first, Catherine. Business is a very close second. You’re going home, that’s the end of it.”

Cross ignored the cold, early March air as he crouched down low to the ground with arms wide open. Cece was bundled up in her leather jacket, scarf, and wool hat with an extra-large pompom on the top. Her gaze caught Cross the second her feet came off the stairs of the private jet. She bounced across the tarmac at full speed, and barreled into her father with a giggle.

“Daddy!”

Holding her tight, Cross stood, and soaked in the love of his daughter. He had thought for sure he wouldn’t be seeing her for a couple of weeks. It only ended up being one.

That was still too long.

“Daddy missed you, Cece,” he told her.

She hugged his neck even tighter, and buried her face against his.

“Missed my daddy, Daddy.”

“Did you have fun with Ma?”

Cece leaned back to peer up at him. “Yes. We did bid-nez.”

Cross lifted a single eyebrow. “You did, huh?”

“All the bid-nez, Daddy.”

Across the tarmac, Catherine was finally stepping off the plane, too. Miguel followed right behind her. She carried one bag—he carried two.

Cece shivered a bit as a gust of cold wind swept over the airstrip. Cross tucked her head into the crook of his neck, and held her close for heat.

Catherine smiled as she came closer. “I see someone found you.”

“Someone did.”

“She missed you.”

Their daughter didn’t even perk up at her mother’s voice.

Cross rubbed a hand up his daughter’s back. “I missed her. And you. Come here.”

Using one arm, he hugged his wife the best he could without crushing Cece or dropping her. Catherine pressed her cheek against his, and then turned her head just enough to catch his mouth in a soft, slow kiss. He had missed his wife terribly.