Now Daniel’s remarks in our interrogation room made more sense. He was worried Jamie would find out about his impromptu mugging attempt happening so close to their plans, jeopardizing their meeting with the Sicilians.

Daniel must’ve thought he had no choice but to tell me about the rave and hope the mafia would take us out, saving him all around.

“But Daniel was too scared to admit to Jamie he’d been questioned by me, so Jamie was clueless I’d be at the rave. And clearly neither of them knew I was your father.” Hell, I just found out. “So, I showed up and ruined their plans.”

“And saved me,” he added, which was the most crucial part. “But what could be in that guy’s wallet that's valuable enough to risk everything for?”

“Leave all of that for me to handle. For now, I just need you to stay away from Jamie, Lennon, and all of them. Am I making myself clear?” I didn’t plan to let him go into the city without me anyway.

“No freaking way am I staying away from her. And if you think she’s anything like her brother, she’s not.”

“I don’t care if she’s an angel. It’s not safe for you to be involved with her.”

I also knew if someone told me to stay away from Juliette, I’d lay them the fuck out.

At his scowl, I adjusted course and remembered to temper my voice again. I was a work in progress at this dad thing.

“For your mom’s sake, can you stay away from her until I can ensure everything is safe? Texts and calls only, and don’t tell Lennon I’m your father or where you’re staying.”

He didn’t have a chance to answer because we were no longer alone. I turned to see Juliette hanging back, quietly observing us.

“Everything okay?” She glanced back and forth between us.

“Oh, things are great. Perfect,” Colin said sarcastically while facing me, and his eyes said it all: Go ahead, call me out, and I’ll do the same to you.

I didn’t have it in me for round two of that conversation with Juliette. Not yet.

“We were just discussing our favorite video games and disagreeing, that’s all,” Colin remarked without sarcasm that time. “Of course he prefers the old version of Call of Duty, and I like the much newer one.”

I slid my hands in my pockets, biting down on my back teeth and fighting to maintain control. I didn’t want to lie, but I sure as hell wasn’t ready to tell her the truth, either.

“And he agreed to get me a new PS5 for the game room so I can prove the new COD is better.” Colin slapped me on the back, catching me off guard.