“Yeah, I get that now. But that still leaves me with a whole bunch of questions and no answers.” Frustration had Deven plopping down to the bench. “Whatever this is you both are tied up in is coming back to me. And her boyfriend is breaking into my home, threatening me—”

“Wait, who?” Benji frowned. “Whose boyfriend?”

“Kennedy’s.”

“Nah, she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Not a real one anyway.”

Deven wanted to ask how he could be so sure, but she just shrugged. “The neighbors said she was arguing with the man and now she’s gone, and Deuce is leaving me threatening messages. Plus, the cops are talking about jail for an identity that was stolen.”

Benji shook his head. “Wait, wait. Hold up. You’re talking about Deuce?”

“Yeah. The neighbor said that was Kennedy’s boyfriend.”

Now, Benji did laugh as he too, sat down on the bench. “Nah, sweetheart you got it all wrong,” he said. “Deuce was doing some work for Kennedy.”

“What kind of work? Or do I want to know?” Deven tossed a pointed look at the bench indicating the scams they were running.

“Hey, judge all you want. But our shit is a legit business and we know what we’re doing.” Benji winked, obviously proud. Deven’s stomach turned. “But Deuce, on the other hand, I can’t say all his shit is on the up-and-up. He’s a tracker, and let’s just say he pulls out all the stops to get the job done.”

Deven’s head clouded over with confusion. “So, Kennedy hired him to look for someone?”

“Yeah, that’s what she told me.”

“But who?”

“Hell, if I know. Ken doesn’t tell me everything. He’s somebody her dad referred.”

The mention of Kennedy’s father had Deven’s head jutting up. “Hold on. I thought her dad was dead,” she said. “He died years ago in prison. Kennedy said she lost touch with him a long time ago.”

“Well, he is in prison,” Benji commented. “But no, he’s very much alive, and Kennedy still talks to him. What difference does it make?”

It made all the difference. Deven could feel her blood beginning to boil. Because not only did it mean Kennedy had lied, but it also meant her mother had been just as deceptive. She jumped to her feet and stormed to the door. Good day or bad day, she didn’t give a damn anymore. Her mother had lied to her face. What other truths had she withheld? And why?

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-five

“Deven!” Jan opened the door with a bright smile. “I didn’t think . . .” She trailed off, her face immediately flickering to reflect her concern. “Oh my. What’s wrong?” She quickly stepped to the side and ushered Deven into the room.