Page 33 of Scarred Souls
I struggled to hold in my grin when I recalled Vaughn’s embarrassment during the phone call with Sage. “You mean your chicken? What was her name again?”
“Esmeralda.” He ran a hand through his inky locks. “She was Sage’s funny idea of a housewarming gift that I didn’t have the heart to return. Or eat.”
My brows lifted. “This is a day of revelations.”
“That I have a chicken?”
“That you have a heart.”
He grunted. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Dee picked up Rusty, the almost-blind chihuahua, and tucked him under one arm. The snappy teacup pup watched Vaughn suspiciously as though ready to go toe-to-toe with our visitor if he so much as sneezed.
I sat on the floor with my back against a kitchen cabinet. Titan remembered where his allegiances lay and spread out beside me with his body resting against my outstretched legs. Daphne handed me a steaming mug of joe. I didn’t drink it right away in case I threw it back up. My nerves hadn’t settled since hearing my birth name spill from Grim’s lips.
Vaughn’s explanation for being here and Sage’s endorsement were promising, but I didn’t know either of them. They could be lying through their teeth to get information out of me. I had questions of my own.
“How’d you find me?” I asked.
“Part sheer luck and part research.” Vaughn tugged down the sleeves of his Henley. The action struck me as strange because he must be hot in jeans and a long shirt. Most people would’ve bunched the sleeves to their elbows. Was he hiding some kind of offensive ink under there?
“I glanced at your file when we first started looking into the PCC. It wasn’t until late last night that I had a brain wave and realized why you looked familiar. Brandon did some digging and gave me everything else I needed to know.”
“And does Brandon think I’m a narco sympathizer?”
“His opinion is irrelevant. It’s me you’re answering to.”
The nerve of this guy.
“Just so we’re clear, I don’t have to tell you shit. I’m only talking right now because I choose to. Before I say anything more, I need to speak with Daphne in private.”
He folded his brawny arms across his chest. “Not gonna happen.”
“Excuse me?” I recoiled and directed a filthy look at him. “What the hell makes you think you can?—”
Dee slammed her empty mug onto the counter. “I’ve seen divorcing couples communicate better than you two.” She exhaled loudly as her hard stare volleyed between Vaughn and me. “If the pair of you could act like mature adults for a minute, maybe you’d realize you’re on the same side.”
Fine. If he wouldn’t do the courteous thing and give us privacy, I wasn’t about to censor this conversation to avoid hurting his precious feelings.
I stabbed my finger toward Vaughn while holding Daphne’s unimpressed gaze. “You decided we should trust him already? What if Carlos sent him to test my loyalty?”
Vaughn’s shoulders shook as he laughed. “Please.”
I ignored him. “What if he’s going to find out everything I know, then murder me so I don’t spill his plans? I mean, look at him. He could be the poster boy for the supermax prison.”
Daphne took a damp cloth and wiped a coffee ring from the counter. How was she so calm about all of this? Ten minutes ago, she’d been about to blow Vaughn’s head off.
She tossed the cloth into the sink. “I spent twenty-five years reading patients and learned how to pick a liar. I grilled him while you were floundering outside. He’s telling the truth.”
I gave Dee wide eyes. “You could’ve mentioned that earlier.”
She was as shrewd as they came, and I trusted her judgment. And truthfully, I knew Vaughn wouldn’t hurt me. Despite his domineering attitude and sinister tattoos, he wasn’t an evil man. I’d known enough of them to tell.
Daphne rinsed her cup in the sink. “I figured you’d come to the same conclusion as me eventually. Don’t let your stubbornness get in the way of the facts. And you”—she nodded toward Vaughn—“stop being antagonistic. Hope’s been through hell, and I won’t have you upsetting her for your amusement. Got it?”
“Fine.” Vaughn gave me an insincere smile. “I’ll try.”
“Just”—I waved a hand toward him—“tell me everything about this team of yours. I want to know exactly who I’m dealing with before I agree to anything.”