Page 28 of Temptation and Treachery
She blinked, clearing her mind before replaying his words. Confusion, fear, and a need for answers shot through her, rolling around in an unbalanced mix. “I… No. How is that possible?” Though, yes, her father texting always struck her as odd. So why had she never questioned it, and who had she been talking to?
“How long ago did you start texting?”
“Um, I’d need to check the phone to be sure.” She searched her memory. “Several months, at least. Before that it was occasional phone calls.” She shrugged. “He’s always been concerned about putting me in danger.”
“Everything’s still on your phone? Nothing’s been erased?”
Heat rose up her chest to her cheeks. Obviously he’d seen she erased his message. Well, she wasn’t about to tell the man who was using her to get to her father that she’d been trying to keep him safe. She hadn’t wanted her brother or his men to find Rio’s information before she talked to her father. “No.” She cleared her throat. “All his messages are there.” Her voice trailed away.
Rio gave a single nod. “Did you ever talk to him about the texts?”
She shook her head. “We don’t talk often, and we visit even less.”
He nodded, losing himself in thought for a minute. “Did the house have any hidden video cameras?” Rio asked in a businesslike manner.
“No.” She did a mental run through the house again. “I don’t think so.”
“Good. We’re going to flush out whoever this is, but I need your help to do it.”
She sat there, considering her options, which at this point were few. She could help, or not. And maybe, just maybe, they could prove he wasn’t executing innocent people.
It was still hard to wrap her head around the fact someone was pretending to be her father. Had she shared anything personal? Anything that affected anyone else? Likely not, their conversations didn’t usually venture past the two of them and Leonard. The creepy crawly feeling she’d expected yesterday finally hit her full force.
“Celeste, are you up to it? We can keep you safe, but we’ll need you, in case he asks something we can’t answer.”
She nodded. “Would you take it into account, if we can prove he didn’t do those things?” It might not be much, but if it helped clear his name, it would be worth it.
“I don’t know how much it would help. He’s wanted in both countries after what he’s done.”
“But some may not be him.”
“I’m sure the court would consider it.”
“Okay.” She ran her hands over her shorts. “What do I have to do?”
“We’ll put a plan together this afternoon.” Rio studied her thoughtfully, then straightened, stepping in front of her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a key ring and took her wrist. His long fingers burned into her skin. A mechanical crunch and the clamp released, leaving her free. He ran his thumb over the side, so soft it could be a caress. “Celeste.” He looked into her eyes, and she swallowed hard. What she wouldn’t give for a camera right now. Vix smiled from over his shoulder. She stretched out and ran her fingers over the cuffs, biting her bottom lip as she shot him a hot look. Celeste broke eye contact, cursing him inwardly for teaching her body to respond to him. “I—”
“Breakfast.” Kari pushed through the door, carrying the meal he’d requested. “The kitchen staff wasn’t exactly thrilled. They’d just finished cleaning up.”
Celeste pulled her hand back, gingerly rubbing the chafed skin where the cuff had sat. Rio curled his fingers into a fist. He stepped to one side, bringing the rolling table close. “I’ll go by and talk to Jorge.”
“She’s free to move around?” Kari nodded toward the handcuffs.
“With an escort,” he clarified.
“Can I have something else to wear?” Celeste interrupted, annoyed at them speaking as if she wasn’t sitting inches away.
“After everything is searched and catalogued, I’ll have Gatlin get your clothes,” Rio replied as he turned to Kari. “Once she’s eaten, get with Gatlin. He and Celeste are going to build a timeline so we can set a trap for our impostor.”
…
“’Kay. I think we got it,” Gatlin said, coming around to sit on the edge of his desk.
Rio swiveled, sitting back in his chair to see Gatlin’s screen. After clearing the air with Celeste, he opted to set her up with Gatlin since she was obviously still pissed. He’d kept an eye on them throughout the afternoon but she’d been completely focused on her tasks.
“We went back six years,” Gatlin explained. “Social media proved to be the usual gold mine of intel. I can confidently place Oz with Celeste at some birthdays, a couple of holidays, and a random visit.”
“Oz?”
