Daddy's Girl

Chapter six - It's harder than I thought

Kevin's POV:

As I expected, Lizzy didn't like it when I went to see her on her birthday. I didn't stay much. I only gave the present to Nia. What happened next is a mystery. Nia called me the next day. She didn't like it. I need to stay away from her for some time. That will be at least until things calm down. It might take some time, but I don't care. She needs some space. This doesn't mean I won't see Nia and Noah. He is my friend. We go out often. I haven't told him the truth. No matter that he keeps telling me I should talk. I will do it, but when the right time comes. For now, I will focus on my job. During the last week, I made many deliveries. Each one gets more expensive. My team and I have to find out who the boss is. That's why I think someone is managing all this. No one knows him. Only a few have seen him. They won't talk about him. It's like he is a ghost. One day, we'll find him. I'm glad that drugs are not sold out at schools. I don't want Lizzy to end up taking some. If this happens, I will have a serious conversation with her. This won't happen under my watch. She might not live with me, but this doesn't mean I'm not her parent. I still have the rights over her. No matter if she doesn't like it. I hope that she will stop being mad at me.

Lizzy is already eighteen. She is growing right in front of my eyes. I can't do anything to be next to her. I don't know what to do to fix our relationship. Talking is not an option. Maybe I have to stop trying. If she wants to put in some effort, she will do it. I can't force her. Also, I don't want to do it. I have other things to worry about. This mission is taking way longer than needed. My team has been working on this for years. There must be a way we can find him.

I went to work an hour ago. The boys were already there. No one has found our true identities. This is good. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble. It's good that I'm away from Lizzy. I don't want her to be near me now. I would've liked it, but I remind myself about my job. I shouldn't be upset by the way she is reacting. I deserve it. Her mom might not have been here if I hadn't left her that day. The thing is that I care about the people around me.

- Have you seen Lizzy this week? - Dave asked me

- No. I haven't seen her since her birthday.

- You don't know if she liked her present.

- She didn't. Nia told me.

- I'm sorry. I think it's because you gave it to her. It has nothing to do with the present.

- Maybe.

- I'm back.

- Hey, Nick. What was the delivery?

- I have no idea. It was a box like this one over there. - he said

- Good.

- You get the most deliveries.

- That is because they trust him the most. Do you see how much money he gets? It's massive. - Dave said, chuckling

- You know they don't go for me.

- But they trust you.

- So? You all know why we are here. Where is John?

- I'm here.

- Where have you been?

- I went to check something.

- What happened?

- I followed the guy who was bossing us around.

- What? He might have seen you.

- But he didn't. I wanted to see if he would meet the boss.

- Well?

- No. He delivered a package. That was. Nothing happened.

- I think we need more time. - Dave said

- How much? We have been working on this for years.

- Who knows? Someone might help us.

- Someone like who?

- I don't know. Lizzy?

- No, no, no. Don't mess her with this. She might hate me, but I still care about her.

- So you admit it? - Nick asked

- Of course, I do. She is my daughter.

- That took you some time.

- Look. Our relations are complicated. She doesn't need to know about this. It's my thing. I want to do this for myself.

- You said it, not me.

- We won't talk about her, ok? I want to keep her safe.

- Fine. We won't mention her.

- Thanks. Let's work now.

- All these packs have to be delivered. - John said

- I know. I'll take these three. The rest are for you.

- Yes, sir.

- Very funny.

I made all the deliveries I had. Later, I went to get lunch. When I came back, I saw a note on the table. It said for Ross. Who is Ross? I don't know a drug dealer named like that. What if this is the name of our boss? No, I don't believe it. This will be too obvious. No one will make such a mistake. At the same time, I want to know who this guy is. Something is telling me that there is nothing good in him. Soon, the boys came back.

- Are you ok? You look pale. - Nick said

- I'm fine.

- What is going on?

- Nothing.

- Man, we know you. Come on. You can trust us.

- Who is Ross?

- Who?

- Ross. It says it right here. - I said and showed them the note

- I will tell you. This is the guy who you have to meet. - the boss of our group said

- Delivery?

- Yes. You better do it quickly. He doesn't like to wait. He gave you an hour because his place is not close to this one. Don't be late if you want to come back here.

- What?

- What you heard. Make sure to be there on time. - he said and left

- I don't think you should go. - Dave said

- I have to do it.

- What if he? You know. - John said

- I'll be fine. Nothing will happen to me. When I accepted this job, I knew about the consequences.

- Yes, but still.

- But nothing. I have to go.

- Take care, ok? I want you back here. You have to do it for Lizzy. - Nick said and hugged me

- Guys, I'm not dying.

- You never know. Good luck. We'll wait for you here.

- Sure. I'll be back soon. - I said and left

I have around fifty minutes until I arrive. Hopefully, there will be enough. I was speeding a little bit, but not noticeably. The last thing I need is to get caught. I parked the car and checked the time. I have a minute. I knocked on the door and waited. Tell me he will open before this minute has ended. He has to do it. I heard footsteps and calmed down a bit.

- Hello.

- Hey. You ordered something. It's an express delivery.

- Yes, it is. Come in. People can't see you around.

- Thank you.

- Give me the box.

- Here you go.

- It smells good. Do you know the difference between a good and bad-smelling drug?

- No. Should I?

- The bad-smelling ones are stronger. They knock you out quickly. This is why they are more expensive. The good-smelling ones have a weaker effect. They are used at parties by teenagers.

- What? They know about them.

- Everyone knows about drugs. I don't know if every teenager uses them. Call the police if you dare. They can tell you. - he said, chuckling

- No, thanks. I don't want to mess with them.

- Good choice. Here is your money. You can count them if you want.

- I will do that for sure. I have to bring every penny back.

- I won't lie to my sellers.

- Maybe, but I have to follow orders.

- Why did you become a dealer? It can't be only for the money.

- Actually, it is. My previous two jobs were a failure. I didn't make much for the time I was working.

- Every job has flaws.

- With this one, I make decent money. I don't live a rich life because it would be suspicious.

- A clever guy. I like you. I might order from you again one day.

- Thanks. The more deliveries I make, the better for me.

- The dream of every dealer. - he said and laughed

- Have you ever been one?

- Yes, but I preferred being a consumer.

- What happened?

- I was selling less and using more.

- I see.

- Now I have a bar. If you need a girl to satisfy you, call me. I can help.

- Thanks, but I don't have time for this.

- If you change your mind, take this. You can find the address and my number. - he said and gave me a card

- Thank you. I have to go now.

- I hope to see you soon.

I don't think this is a trace, but he confessed what he was doing. I'm sure it's not legal. I went to the abandoned building and showed the card to the boys. Dave took a picture of it and sent it. Someone needs to check this place. It might help us to find out who the big boss is. I might use the offer. I don't need a girl, but I can make them talk. After work, I went home. I took a shower and later went to eat dinner. This is when I heard my phone. I had a message from Nia. I took my things and went out.

- Thank you for coming.

- Of course. Is there a problem? You didn't say anything.

- No. I wanted to tell you that I talked with Lizzy.

- Don't say more.

- Listen. She still doesn't like you, but she won't be so cold with you.

- So she will ignore me?

- I didn't say it.

- Yes, but I expect it. If she can't talk to me without being mad, she better ignore me.

- This is the only thing I got from her.

- It's ok. I don't mind.

- I can try again. This time, it might be different.

- Thanks, but don't do it.

- I'm sorry.

- Does she keep the present?

- No, I do. I hid it in her room. I hope she will find it.

- She won't like it.

- Can I know why you got her this? You could've chosen many things.

- One day, I saw her looking at this in a*****e. I was outside with some friends.

- Good eyes. - she said, chuckling

- Yes.

- Are you ok? You don't look much in the mood.

- I'm fine. Is she going out? I mean, with friends.

- She has said that, but I have no idea. Lizzy hasn't brought anyone home with her.

- No parties?

- I don't think so. Why?

- Many things happen there. I don't want her to do anything stupid.

- She won't. I trust her.

- Good.

- You can come home if you want.

- Thanks, but I will pass. Can you do me a favor?

- Sure.

- I want another picture of her.

- No problem.

Nia and I talked while eating. She is my only way to get to Lizzy. I expected her to be mad at me. After all, I left her alone while she was pregnant. It turned out exactly the opposite. My daughter is still mad at me. More than anything, I want her to talk to me. I asked Nia about the parties because of what this man told me earlier. I don't want her to use drugs. It's not safe for her. I should keep her safe from this, but I don't know how. It's hard when she is not talking to me. No matter what I tell her, she won't listen. Sadly, she is stubborn like me. I hope that she will be safe.