RISK(56)

"Congratulations." I tap his chest. "Who's having a baby?"

"Caroline." He shakes his head, his deep blue eyes filling with tears. "Can you believe it? My sweet Caroline is going to be a mom."

"She'll be a great one." I bite back the urge to tear up too. My grandfather, Emmanuel Black, held May only twice before he suffered a fatal stroke. He would have been a defining force in her life. I wish every single day that she could have known him the way I did.

"That she will." He turns to look over his shoulder. "Janine called Eda to pick us up so we could surprise the kids. You're treating Eda well, aren't you?"

"I couldn't ask for a better boss, Wally." Eda leans against the doorjamb. "I'm still grateful that you and Janine got me this job."

"We may have got your foot in the door." He pulls back and reaches out to Eda. "You've kept it there."

She takes his hand and squeezes it. "You've kept my sister happy for most of her life. You're the best brother-in-law a woman could ever ask for. We're both lucky."

"That we are." He kisses the back of her hand. "Janine brought you a gift. She picked up a handbag at an auction. I don't get the appeal, but she's got one and said you'd love one too. That's a surprise, Eda, so don't blow it."

"You just blew it." She drops his hand. "I'll act surprised. Janine spoils me."

"That's what big sisters are for." He turns back to me. "I got May something too."

"You got May something?" I scratch my chin. "You don't need to bring her a gift every time you're in the city."

"I do, Rigs."

I would never tell Wally he can't give my daughter a gift. He's an important part of her life. Since he moved to Vegas, we don't see him as often, but when he's in New York, he makes time to see May. He tells her stories about the great-grandfather she'll never know and answers her questions about whatever she's curious about that day. Their bond is special and important to my little girl.

"I was at a magic show on the strip and they had junior magic kits for sale." He chuckles. "The cape, top hat, magic wand, the whole nine yards. She's going to love it."

She will. It'll mean the world to her and her dream job will morph from artist to magician in the blink of an eye. I grab my jacket from the coatrack. "We can head over to see her now if you've got the time."

"I'm here until my great-grandchild arrives. I've got all the time in the world for May." He pats my cheek. "For you too, Rigs. You ever need anything, I'm here for you. Rain or shine; night or day."

Rain or shine. Night or day.

Those six words are what my grandfather said to me every time I saw him. Until the last time when he told me he loved me and that he was proud of the man I'd become.

***

"Tell me why you didn't want to meet at the shoebox, Ellie." I clench my hands together in front of me on the table. "This café is hopping for this time of night. I had no idea so many people drank coffee before bed."

"Maybe they aren't planning on going to bed," she shoots back with a straight face.

Apparently, we're not going to bed together tonight either. It was an easy conclusion to jump to after she called to ask me to meet her at this coffee shop less than a block from her place. I suggested the shoebox apartment, but she was adamant that it had to be here. I wanted to see her, so I jumped on board and walked over.

"What's going on?" I lean back in the solid wooden chair I sat in while I waited for her to arrive. I'd stood to greet her with a kiss, but she bypassed me completely. She headed straight for the counter and ordered herself a mug of hot fruity tea.

She blows on the steaming liquid, her tongue darting out to touch her top lip. If she's trying to remind me of what I'm not getting tonight, it's working.

"Ellie?" I prompt with a pat of my hand on the top of the table. "Is everything okay?"

She sets the mug down without taking a sip. "I'm not the jealous type, Nolan."

I am. I'm so f*cking jealous that I spent much of my morning calling anyone I could think of who works for the NYPD. I was looking for someone that might be able to score Ellie a place in the Police Academy. I pulled up profiles on social media for three guys I haven't spoken to since high school, but who all wanted to be police officers. I struck out, three for three.

Foolish pride may be the driving force behind my actions, but I want to be the one to help her get her dream job. Sebastian Wolf is a homicide detective, and from what Kristof dug up, he's not well liked on the force. The guy has broken every rule in the book so if Ellie's hoping he'll be her ticket to securing a uniform; she's got a long wait ahead of her.

"I know you were with Shelby last night." Her voice is tinged with sadness.

Fuck. Just f*ck.

I try to keep it together. My gut instinct is to accuse her of following me, but I want that. I want her to want me all to herself. I need Ellie to feel as compelled to know everything about me as I am to know everything about her.

"Gretel saw you," she offers, her chin high, her eyes focused on mine. "Adley and I were picking up dinner at a deli and Gretel was there getting snacks for Leila. She said you and Shelby were at Normand's Pub having a drink."