Axl had no idea if it worked because his father was rethinking things now that his family had imploded and it was coming clear he’d irrevocably lost his wife, and he had to make maneuvers to save his relationship with his son. Or if his father had indeed investigated Hawk’s operations, and since he had a sense of what Axl did for a living, it was an attempt at self-preservation.

He figured it was the latter.

But in the end, it didn’t matter.

The divorce was proceeding, and until it was final, his father had also agreed to a monthly allowance that covered his mother’s mortgage and HOA fees with some beyond that besides, so she could breathe easy financially.

But Hawk and his own father were tight. Axl had met Hawk’s dad and the man was hilarious. He also thought the world of his son. So Hawk didn’t understand that Axl might worry about his mother, but the loss of his father didn’t factor.

So Hawk had been keeping a close eye on his man.

Axl didn’t tell him there was no cause for concern.

He just went to work and did his job.

Eventually, Hawk would get it.

“Proof,” Boone said. “Crime does pay.”

When Boone said that, Axl focused on the property they were approaching.

L-shaped. Made mostly of stone, some wood. A nod to rustic and its surroundings.

But the wide, curving drive made of attractive pavers, the stone balustrades along the way topped with lanterns that would light the way in the dark, the two double-doored garages as well as the double-door front entry, and the fact that the compact front exterior didn’t quite hide that what was beyond was downright rambling stated this wasn’t a rustic mountain cabin at all.

Not to mention Sly, in his suit, with his earpiece, standing outside the front door.

Ally’s Mustang was parked outside. As was Mamá Nana’s GMC Denali.

Cisco’s town car was likely tucked in a garage.

Hawk parked, they got out, and Axl did this with eyes on Sly.

He was talking into his hand.

Their arrival was being announced.

They moved inside and Cisco met them at the front door.

“Nervous,” he informed them unnecessarily.

Nearly two month’s delay in this meet, they already knew the women would be nervous.

None of them replied, there were varying chin movements, juts or dips, and Cisco led them into his great room.

He’d gone with the nod to rustic here too. Wood, stone, hefty ceiling beams, plaid upholstery on the furniture, leather as well, wool throws.

But the view from three tiers of windows put the price tag on that room.

And it was substantial.

Axl took it in as a matter of course, what he’d do in any situation.