LITMIR.BIZ

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not been passed on to the daughter.

      Umbrage darkened Bishop’s complexion. “Are we through here?”

      Dare shook his head. “Tell me about Natalie.”

      “What do you want to know?”

      That Bishop didn’t even make a pretense of trying to protect his youngest daughter didn’t surprise Dare. The man would guard his own interests first and foremost. “Where is she?”

      “At this moment? I have no idea. She teaches, so she’s likely home by now. Probably grading papers or some related tedious task.” He caught Dare’s impatience and rushed on to say, “If you’re asking me where she lives, then you’ll find her in an apartment complex not far from Molly. The two of them have always been thick as thieves. For as long as I can remember, if one of them lied, the other one swore to it.”

      If they had lied, Dare would bet it was to protect one another. “And your wife?”

      Bishop shrugged. “At this particular moment, Mrs. Alexander would be presenting a grant to the Historical Society in Cincinnati.” He waved a hand. “She’s very into her little clubs and charitable affairs.”

      So far, Bishop was the sole unscrupulous family member. Not that Dare was done digging. “When did you realize that Molly was missing?”

      “When you trapped me here. Before that, I had no idea. My daughter and I don’t keep track of each other’s social calendars.”

      “Bullshit. You knew.”

      “I knew she was out of touch. I knew she was likely annoyed at me and therefore not returning her stepmother’s calls. But she travels without alerting me, and she’s always been independent.”

      Because she’d had no choice. “Didn’t Natalie notice?”

      Bishop looked at his nails. “Natalie did call me, concerned, but I had nothing to tell her, and neither did Kathi. I haven’t heard from her since, so I assume she came to the same conclusion that I did, that Molly was off on business with her book contracts.”

      “Or the movie deal?”

      Blank-faced, Bishop asked, “What movie deal?”

      Huh. So he really didn’t know about that. Dare had already determined that the man was a lousy liar; if he’d known, he couldn’t have hidden it.

      “I’ll be in touch, Bishop.” Dare wasn’t about to share Molly’s news. If she wanted him to know, she’d tell him herself. “When Molly calls you, you fucking well better answer. I don’t care what you have going on. Understood?”

      “Does this mean we’re done?”

      “For now, yes.” Dare smiled again. “Don’t forget what I told you, Bishop. This never happened. Tell a single soul, and you’ll regret it.” Stepping around his SUV, Dare opened the driver’s door and started to get inside.

      For a second or two, Bishop stood there, unsure what to do. Finally he hissed low, “Why the hell are you even involved in all of this?”

      And Dare couldn’t resist. He knew it was a mistake, knew he was acting out of character, that if he was truly in control he’d stick with the plan and drive away.

      But he couldn’t.

      Slowly he closed the door and came back toward Bishop.

      Sensing that he’d erred, Bishop tried to backpedal, but he wasn’t fast enough. Dare grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

      The older man screeched when Dare slammed him up against the hood of his car. “You try my patience, Bishop. That’s a very dangerous thing to do. Don’t let it happen again.”

      With that warning, Dare shoved Bishop from him, forcing him to stumble before he gathered his composure and staggered away, taking his temper out on the valet who had yet to retrieve his car.

      Dare had learned more than enough, for now. He got in the SUV, put it in gear and drove out of the club’s lot. Rage continued to simmer inside him, making him clench his jaw and lock his teeth. He wanted to see Molly. He wanted to hold her and tell her how sorry he was for her lot in life.

      Just as he cleared the gates, his cell phone rang.

      Thinking it might be Chris with news of Molly, he snapped the phone open on the first ring. “Yeah?”

      In a tone far too grim, Trace said, “I have some info you’ll want to see.”

      Damn. Dare glanced at the time on the console. “I was just heading home.” And for once, seeing his girls took second place. He wanted to check on Molly. And more. But the way Trace had worded that, Dare knew he had some photos. “They’re important?”

      “You’ll want to see them ASAP, yeah. I can upload them to you, or I can meet you somewhere along I-75.”

      “Let’s meet. I’d like to get your take on things anyway.” Knowing Trace, the photos would be telling. Anything that’d make it easier for Dare to ensure Molly’s safety was a priority. “Say in forty minutes?”

      “That’ll work.”

      After they agreed on a restaurant that catered to truckers, Dare asked, “How’s Alani?”

      “Throwing herself into her work. I wanted her to take some time off, to chill with me, but she said that’d be the worst thing to do.”

      Dare grinned. Thanks to Trace’s financial backing and business influence, Alani owned an interior-design business, so she could easily set her hours to be as busy or as idle as she wanted. “You hoped to hover over her and instead she’s out and about with strangers.”

      Voice going lower, Trace growled, “She’s remodeling for some asshole businessman.”

      Given what Alani had just been through, Dare understood his friend’s need to shelter her. But while Alani might look delicate with her fair hair and slim build, she had the same strength of character as her brother. “I suppose you already started a background check on him?”

      “First thing I did—against Alani’s protests. So far he’s come out clean enough. He’s a financier. His family is old money, and I don’t like him.”

      “Because he’s rich?” Dare laughed. “Hate to break it to you, but most would consider us rich, too.”

      “We worked our asses off for our money.”

      True, but not really the point. “Alani has always had every advantage, and she’s still grounded.” Being eight years older than Alani, Trace had ensured that she wanted for nothing, and yet she remained sweet and unspoiled.

      And if it was old money Trace objected to, well, hell, Molly’s father was well pedigreed, but she was the least overindulged person he knew.

      Trace sighed. “Plain and simple, I don’t like him, okay? I don’t know him, but I still don’t like him.”

      “Right now, you’re not going to like anyone who’s around her.” Odds were it’d take Trace longer to recuperate from the ordeal than it would Alani, because Trace also had guilt working on him. “But she’s only remodeling for this guy, right? It’s not a personal relationship.”

      “You know what Alani looks like. Do you really think the guy—who’s single, damn him—will want to keep it strictly business?”

      Trace had a point. The combo of fair hair and golden-brown eyes was remarkable on Trace; on Alani, coupled with her figure and sweet sex appeal, most guys wouldn’t be able to resist hitting on her. “Want me to talk to him?”

      “God, no. Alani would pulverize us both. I’ll keep an eye on the situation.”

      Dare grinned again. “If you need backup, let me know.”

      After disconnecting the call, Dare let his thoughts meander back to Molly. It was odd

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