Daddy's Girl

Chapter four - I want us to talk

Kevin's POV:

Lizzy's birthday is coming up. I have already bought her a gift. I don't expect her to accept it, but I will try. She is my daughter. I can't miss her birthday. It's not like I haven't done it for the past few years. When she was little, I couldn't visit her. I didn't want to risk her life. Soon, she will be eighteen. My girl is old enough to take care of herself. Also, it will be about the people around her. I see how much she cares about her brother. I think I know why she does it. This has nothing to do with love. She wants him to have what she didn't. Part of this fault is mine. I left her alone with her mom. It wasn't an easy choice, but I had to do it. Slowly, I have helped many people. There were times when I almost got discovered. Luckily, this didn't happen. This is why I keep Lizzy and Nia away from me. They can't be around me. Otherwise, something might happen to them. I can't risk it. One day, I might tell them the truth. Well, it won't be soon. First, I need to finish my mission. My team and I have been doing this for years. We are close, but not enough. This man is not unreachable. Let's say that we still don't know how to find him. It might take us some time, but we won't give up. It's my job. I hope that everything will end well and no one will get hurt.

It's another working day. My job doesn't have days for a rest. We might have a few when we finish the mission. Who knows when this will happen? It will take months, maybe years. This doesn't mean I will give up. There is a reason why I chose this. I want to help people. No one deserves to die, even the criminals. I will do everything possible to stop them. Luckily, no one sells drugs in schools. Otherwise, I'll have a problem. Lizzy still doesn't want to talk to me. I should find a way to make her do it.

I'm in the abandoned building with my team. No one will search for drug dealers here. It's the perfect hiding spot. Well, it has changed over the years. The police always find us. For now, they have stopped. I don't believe they gave up. After all, I believe someone is telling them every move we make. This is not good, but I can't do anything. It's better if I don't say anything and keep my job. I have to find who is behind all this. No one has seen the boss. They don't even know how he looks. The only thing I know is that he is a man. It's not like this is helping much.

- What are the plans for today? Do we have deliveries?

- I will tell you what they are.

- It's you again. Is the big boss sending you?

- Yes, he is. Your last delivery was a success. The man was happy with your services. This is why we'll use them again.

- What and where?

- The only questions you need. It's the same package, but it will be a bit bigger. I think you know the address. - he said and gave me a piece of paper

- Yes, I do. I have been there before.

- Good. The quicker you are, the more money you will receive.

- You know there is a speed limit. If the police catch me, I'm busted.

- True, but you know what to do. My boss believes in you.

- I would like to thank him in person.

- Don't worry. I will tell him what you said.

- Why can't I do it? Is he hiding something?

- No, why do you ask?

- Because you are the only person who knows him. It's weird. I mean, as if he doesn't trust his employees.

- I understand you, but it's not your business who our boss is.

- What if it is?

- Excuse me.

- I was kidding. Do I have more deliveries?

- Not for today. One package will arrive tomorrow. Make sure that no one opens it. Otherwise, you will take it. Understood?

- Yes.

- Good. Now go to work. Our clients can't wait. - he said and left

- For what package he was talking about? - Dave asked

- I have no idea, but we have to be careful. I don't think they trust us much.

- We are doing everything they say.

- But it's not enough. Keep your eyes and ears open.

- Sure.

- I will go. Call me if something happens.

- We will.

I took the car and went to deliver the item. The address is different this time. I wonder if the person will resell it. Maybe it's better if I don't know. I tried so hard not to be surprised when I saw the money. Twenty thousand dollars. This thing is expensive. Little do they know that all the money my team and I earn doesn't go for us. We made an account and put everything in there. Someone is secretly having access to it. That way, this person can check how much money passes through our hands. I came back and showed the cash to the boys. They looked at me in disbelief, which made me laugh.

- What? It's like you have never seen money before.

- Not that much. - John said

- You have to get used to it.

- Yeah, sure.

- You know where this money will go. Do we have anything new?

- No. I think it might take us a few years before we catch him.

- I don't have that much.

- Why? Lizzy will grow up too much. - he said, chuckling

- Keep your mouth shut. No one should know about this.

- Chill. We won't tell anyone.

- You have to talk with her. She is old enough to know the truth.

- No way! I won't tell her that.

- So you want her to hate you forever.

- This is better than risking her life.

- You are a good dad, but she doesn't know it. - Dave said

- Can we talk about something else?

- Did you deliver the package?

- Yes, sir. Here is the money.

- Let me see. It's not thick enough.

- I counted them personally. He gave me twenty thousand dollars.

- Twenty? I asked for twenty-five.

- He told me you two have agreed on twenty.

- Don't worry. I'll deal with him. I will get my five thousand.

- I'm sorry.

- It's ok. There is a reason why we don't tell the prices. You did your part. I will do the rest.

- Do you need help?

- No, it won't be necessary.

- What should we do now?

- Take the rest of the day for yourselves. I don't need you.

- Thank you.

The whole team went to eat lunch. We used the time to think about new strategies. There must be a way we can find out who the boss is. He can't hide forever. After lunch, we decided to walk around. I saw Lizzy coming out of school. I want to talk to her, but I don't think she will listen. This doesn't mean I won't try. I walked up to her.

- Hey.

- Go away. - she said and started walking home

- Wait! I want us to talk.

- But I don't. Please, leave me alone.

- Lizzy.

- No! For once, listen to what I'm telling you.

- Just like you are doing it.

- Whatever.

- Why don't you want to talk with me?

- Because I don't trust you.

- I can make you trust me.

- You can go to do your work and leave me alone.

- Lizzy, please.

- I said something.

- Where are you going?

- To take Ben from school. Don't you dare follow me!

- I won't. Can I go home with you?

- No! What the heck is wrong with you? I don't want you near me. Why can't you understand this?

- Because I don't want to. Your mom doesn't hate me.

- She does. The problem is that she is too nice to you.

- What do you mean?

- She will never tell you this in the face. Luckily, I'm not like her.

- Yes, you are like me.

- As if. Please, don't follow me. - she said and left

- Mate, I think you have found your twin. - Dave said, chuckling

- I'm not in the mood for that.

- You can't be mad at her. You are the same.

- I know. This is the worst part.

- Look at it from the positive side. When she knows the truth, her attitude will change.

- For a millionth time. I won't tell her.

- I'll ask you the same question after a month.

- I'll give you the same answer.

After some time, I went home. I plan to spend a calm night at home. I don't want to be outside. That was until I checked my phone. I had a message from Noah. He wanted us to go out for dinner. Noah might be married to my ex-girlfriend, but this doesn't mean we are not friends. It's even the opposite. He is one of my closest ones. I walked out and went to the restaurant. Soon, he came and sat down. I don't understand how he can always be in a good mood. Well, his job is not like mine.

- I'm glad you came. - Noah said

- I had nothing to do at home.

- How are you? You don't look much in the mood.

- I'm fine.

- Don't hide. Lizzy told me.

- What?

- You tried to talk to her.

- I did. Mission failed. - I said, chuckling

- Then try again. If it doesn't work, I will help.

- No offense, but how does helping me help you?

- Simple. You will make her happy.

- I don't think so. She is stubborn.

- Just like you. I wonder when you will tell her the truth. I know you lied to Nia that day.

- Don't start.

- You have to tell them.

- Why do you care so much?

- Because you are her dad.

- So?

- How can you be so blind?

- Blind about what? I don't understand.

- Nia still loves you.

- Yeah, right.

- She does. You can't forget your first love.

- How are you ok with that?

- Because I understand her. I can't forget my ex-girlfriend, even if our relationship was built on lies.

- Sounds familiar.

- See?

- You are there to keep the peace in this family.

- I'm not you. The last thing I want is to separate the daughter from her father. Lizzy needs you.

- But I don't.

- It's not true. You care about her a lot.

- This doesn't mean anything.

- No, it means that you will do everything to keep her safe. What is more important? Your daughter or your job?

- I should've chosen her instead of my job if she had been.

- That was before. What about now?

- It's a bit complicated.

- No, it's not.

- Since when did you start giving me advice?

- Since I started needing your help. I can't deal with Lizzy alone.

- You are doing fine.

- Thanks.

Noah and I kept talking. I feel like he is the only person I can talk like that with. He will listen to me and will tell me what to do. We understand each other well. This doesn't mean he is correct for everything. Nia loves him. Also, I can't have her around. It's better if she stays with him. He will keep her safe. I can't promise her that. Noah is the type of person she needs around her. The other thing is that it won't be fair to Ben. If something happens, Lizzy will get mad at me again. Our relations are already complicated. They can't go worse. I hope that one day, she will listen to me.