“Why do you think I’d know?” Lani asked, narrowing her eyes at the suspicious gangster. “It’s not for me.”

“Could be for Casey.” Emmett tossed out a suggestion. “Your dad would do anything for his kids. Maybe that means feeding their drug habits or even killing a rude old bitch who yelled at his daughter.”

“I did not kill anyone.” Lani’s sharp glare pierced through him and she was dangerously close to snatching that knife. Probably wouldn’t do her any good to prove she wasn’t a murderer, but she’d love to frighten the hell out of him.

“Someone’s doing their damndest to make it look like you did.” Emmett’s emerald eyes pierced through hers. “Why would they do that?”

“How should I know?” Lani muttered as she grabbed herself a bowl for her chili. Paranoia brought goosebumps on her arms. “But that might explain why the cops have been nosing around lately.”

Emmett nodded. “You’re on the top of their suspect list.”

“How do you know so much about the police’s investigation?” Lani asked as she grabbed a spoon and swiped out a sharp knife from the drawer. Just in case.

“I have my sources.” Emmett shrugged. “Do you always eat your chili with a knife?” Amusement sparked in his eyes.

Lani glowered. “Yeah, I do when there’s dangerous criminals in my house.”.

“If I wanted you dead, I’d have already done it.” Emmett followed Lani to the dining room table, plopping down across from her. “Look, I’m not your enemy. I want to help you. That’s difficult when you keep being such a pain in the ass.”

Lani shoveled a spoonful of chili in her mouth, then replied, “I don’t want your help.”

“Not even with your dad?” Emmett tilted his head.

“Nope.”

“I can tell you who his buyer is.”

Lani couldn’t mask her shock, as she jolted up straight. “Who is it?”

“Ah, eager now, aren’t ya?” Emmett folded his arms across the table. “I don’t give information out for free. My price isn’t too extreme.”

“I’m not making any deals with you.” Lani’s expression soured. “I can figure it out another way, without you.”

“All I ask in exchange for this information is a bowl of your chili.” Emmett grinned.

Lani frowned. “What?”

“I’ve not eaten supper and I’m starving.” Emmett pouted, eyeing the stove. “Come on, what do you say?”

“Fine.” Lani sighed. “Who’s my dad buying from?”

“One of my guys. My partner, actually.” Emmett sprung from his chair, reaching into the cabinet like he’d just made himself at home. He stirred the spoon around the steamy pot, filling it to his heart’s content.

“Seriously?”

“Yep. It’s weird. He’s evasive about it when I ask, but I’m not gonna deny his money. He’d find the drugs elsewhere if I did,” Emmett replied, shoveling a spoonful of chili in his mouth.

Lani stirred her spoon, lost in thought. “Maybe he’s buying it for a friend? I don’t think Casey’s stupid enough to do that, and he’d probably just go straight to you. I considered August, but I doubt Dad would do that for him.”

“Does your dad not like Casey’s partner?” Emmett eyed her curiously.

“Nah, he doesn’t mind him. I just doubt he’d go through the trouble of doing that for him. Unless someone threatened Casey and Wyatt if he didn’t.”

“You know, I considered that. Someone might be holding blackmail against your dad, forcing him to buy their drugs. But I’m not sure what they’d hold against him.” Emmett shook his head, continuing to devour his bowl.

“I’ll keep an eye on my dad,” Lani suggested. “I guess, you could too. With both of us watching him, we’ll surely stumble across something.”

“I can do that.” Emmett met her gaze, frowning. “But why do you suddenly want my help?”

“I don’t, but you’ve got better knowledge of the drug business. However, if I find out you’re responsible for getting my dad addicted or arrested, I’m turning you over to the police.”

Emmett’s demeanor shifted into something sinister. “It’s not wise of you to threaten me, Lani. My deal is not with you. Going to the cops will put your entire family at risk.”

“We’ve been in danger long before you came around.” Lani’s heart pounded in her head, yet she kept up her brave facade. She wouldn’t let that asshole intimidate her like he did everyone else.

“Just remember who your real enemies and allies are.”

After Emmett stepped back outside, Lani hurried to lock the door behind him. His warning stayed fresh on her mind while she washed the dishes. Not long after the blond devil left, she heard the door unlock and her father’s voice carried over to her. Lani clenched a damp towel in her trembling hand, wondering where to even start.

“Sorry, I had some stuff to take care of back at the bakery.” Dad stepped into the kitchen. “You already eat, honey?”

“Yeah.” Lani pursed her lips, turning around to face him.

Guilt jabbed at her heart when she realized she was looking for evidence of him being high. His eyes weren’t glossed over or bloodshot. He didn’t slur his words or talk in a weird manner.

“You okay?”

“Where have you been?” Lani asked. “I want the truth.”

“The bakery, like I said.” Her dad’s expression shifted into unease as he went to grab a soda pop from the fridge. He popped the tab and took a sip. “Do you think I’m lying?”

“Yeah, I do.” Lani folded her arms across her chest. “I saw you making an exchange in the alley. Buying drugs. Emmett came by, admitted that you’ve been getting drugs from his guy.”

“When did Emmett come here?” Dad frowned.

“You’re not even denying it?” Lani asked, flabbergasted.

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can explain it all. Just tell me, when did he stop by?”

“Tonight,” Lani admitted. “After I called the cops.”

“What? Why the hell did you do that?”

Dad’s outraged tone took her aback. Lani’s eyes widened as she stepped back, bracing the counter. “Someone tried to break in while you were gone.”

“What happened?Are you alright? ” Concern crossed his face.

“They’d cut the power, but the police helped me turn it back on and made sure nobody was lurking around. They got into the garage.”

“Lani, I’m sorry. I didn’t think things would get so messy.”

“What have you gotten yourself into?”

Dad sighed before taking a seat at the table. “I take it Emmett hasn’t told you everything?”

Lani frowned. “No, he seemed just as confused as me. I thought we’d agreed to stop keeping secrets from each other.”

“I’m sorry. I just… I can’t let this happen again.” Dad raked a frustrated hand through his hair. “I bought the drugs one time, okay? That’s all. I helped out an old friend, but I told him that I can’t get involved anymore.”

“What friend?” Lani raised a brow. “I can’t recall ever meeting any of your friends who dabble in drugs.”

“Sweetie, can you just forget about this? Please?”

“No, Dad. I’m not. You can’t keep me in the dark. Tell me what’s going on and who you’re buying drugs for. Is it gang-related? Are the Black Vipers up to their shit again?”

“He’s not really my friend.” Dad took another sip from his can of soda pop. It trembled in his hand. “He worked with your mother.”

“A cop?”

Dad nodded. “He’s working undercover, but ran into some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” Lani asked.

“Someone shot him in a hit and run,” Dad replied. “He didn’t want to lose his role because he swears he’s close to making a huge drug bust, but he needs something to cope with the pain. He didn’t go to a doctor.”

“Who is this guy?” Lani pried. “Why are you going through the trouble of doing this for him? I don’t understand.”

“Detective Scott Wolfe.”

“I don’t remember him.” Lani shrugged. “Was he close to Mom?”

“Apparently. They went undercover together a lot. I guess she told him a lot about us and that’s why he came to me.” Dad fiddled with the soda can. “I wanted to turn him away, but I couldn’t.”

“Why not? Did he threaten you?” Lani grimaced at the thought.

“He promised to make sure you didn’t go down for that old woman’s murder.”

Lani’s brows shot up, then frustration mounted on her face as she grit her teeth. “How many times do I have to repeat this? I did not kill anyone. Do you believe I did?”

“No, I believe you, but that doesn’t matter. If the cops think they have enough evidence, they could pin her murder on you. I’m doing what I can to protect you.”

“Do you not remember what happened when you tried protecting Mom last year?” Venom laced her words, but Lani realized too late how harsh they were.

“Forgive me for wanting to keep this family alive and out of prison.”

Dad rose from his chair, not bothering to spare a glance back at her as he made his way out of the kitchen, and into his own bedroom. Lani’s desperate apologies went unheard over the door slamming shut. Alone in the kitchen, she was left with nothing but her own guilt-ridden thoughts. That rude old woman ruined her life more than she ever could’ve imagined.

Why did he keep trying to protect them in the worst way possible? If he really wanted to help, he’d get their lawyer on speed dial or just let the police investigation run its course. So far, none of the cops had officially arrested her. All they had was speculation, but if she wasn’t careful they’d find more than evidence to arrest her. They could find out about them helping the Voiceless Rebels launder money through their bakery, and that could send them all behind bars.

Lani almost wished she had killed the old bitch. She probably would’ve done a better job at getting away with her murder.