Daddy's Girl

Chapter eight - Family dinner

Kevin's POV:

I stopped going after Lizzy. There is no point in doing it if she still doesn't want to talk to me. I will give her some time to rethink her decisions. I have some hopes for the future. This doesn't mean I don't talk with her mom. Nia gave me updates on my daughter. As her parent, I need to know what is happening with her. I asked her if she had been to a party. Luckily, the answer was negative. Lizzy was at home the whole night. I still think about what this man told me. Teenagers are using drugs at parties. That's why I don't think she does, but you never know. Of course, I didn't tell Nia anything. Otherwise, she will go into a panic mode. The other thing is that many questions will come to me. I'm not ready to tell them the truth. I have to do it, but it's not the time. Maybe when I finish my mission, I will do it. I will believe my words when the grass turns pink. This means never. I don't know why it's so hard for me to do it. They will understand about my real job, but this doesn't mean that the drug dealers will know I have a family. No, this is too risky. I can't do it. Not until I find who is behind all this. The problem is that this might take me years. I have no idea how he looks. Neither where to search for him. I hope that a miracle will happen and I will solve the mystery.

Today, I received a dinner invitation from Nia. It was a little bit weird, but I had to agree. She texted and called me in the morning. I couldn't say no. I don't want to argue with Lizzy, but I will trust Nia. I'm sure she has thought about this. You never know what might happen. Also, if Lizzy doesn't want me there, I will go home. The last thing I want is to upset her. I know there is a way for us to understand each other, and we have to find it.

Currently, I'm at work. I made two deliveries in the morning. This time, the money wasn't that much. It depends on the quantity and the type. I have made larger deliveries, which makes me think they trust me. This is good for me. It means that I can get close to them. My team has a boss, but he is not the big one. These people work for him, but no one will reveal his identity. I wonder how much he paid them to hide him. The money should be enough since none of them is talking.

- Did any of you find out something? - I asked

- No, I'm sorry. It's a bit harder than we thought. - Nick said

- We need to find something useful. I don't want to keep delivering packages. I have been doing this for too long.

- I understand, but what should we do?

- We need our boss's phone.

- What? Are you insane? He will never give it to us.

- He must have the big boss's number.

- Even if it's true, how do you plan to take it?

- My phone died, and I had to make a delivery.

- There is no way he will fall for this.

- I have a question. - Dave said

- Go on.

- How will you find out the number? I don't think he will put it under the name boss. There will be his real name, which we don't know. He might have more than two hundred contacts.

- He is right. We can't check all of them. - John said

- We can't, but someone else can. I'm sure they can track each number. Judging by the amount of money that passes through us, I believe he will have a great house. It will be huge and spacious.

- No offense, but we make deliveries every day. Who will check each address? - Nick asked

- I didn't say we'll do it alone. Many people owe us favors. We can ask them for help.

- I see what you mean. If this will work, I'm in.

- Count me, too. - Dave said

- John?

- Why not? It's worth a try.

- Great.

- He is coming. Put the plan into action. - Nick said

- Don't worry. I know exactly what to do.

- I hope this will work.

- It has to work. We don't have another chance. Trust me.

- I will.

I asked our boss to give me his phone. I turned off mine to show him that it was dead. It should appear as a symbol for charging, but he didn't care. It was convincing. The boys called him to discuss the deliveries for today. I used the chance. I sent all his contacts to me. He has only fifty-seven. It's not that much. Maybe he has another phone. Soon, I pretended to talk. After all, he has to believe it. When he left, I showed the results to the team. We sent them to someone who can track every number. Well, four of them were ours. I told him to exclude them. For lunch, we went to the nearest restaurant.

- Guys, we have some results. Most of the checked people were at home.

- Great. What do we have so far? - Nick asked

- Most of the houses they live in are ordinary. None of them shows exposure.

- So now what?

- These people are customers. I believe these contacts are from his working phone. He must have another one.

- Where is it? - Dave asked

- I have no idea. We need to find out.

- How? It was hard enough to get this one.

- I will think of something.

- I like your ideas, but don't risk it. If they find out who we are, we are busted, man. I can't do it.

- Trust me. I won't put our lives in anger. For now, I won't do anything. I need a few days to think. Also, he might forget about this.

- What if he finds out that we have his contacts?

- I deleted all my traces. This won't happen. I promise you.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- Don't you?

- Guys, it's not the time for arguments. We need to work. - John said

- We can do this. Now, let's eat and go to work. We have deliveries today.

- I like my job, but I want this to be over. - Nick said

- It's not only you. - Dave said

- What will happen when we finish here?

- I think we'll go back to our ordinary activities.

- But that is boring. - he said, chuckling

- We have no other choice.

- Great.

The rest of the afternoon we spent driving around the town. I'm surprised that we haven't been caught. It's not like we do something illegal. I'm not speeding or anything that breaks the rules. Otherwise, I will be in trouble. We have to finish the mission. After work, I went home for a shower. Later, I went to Nia's house. On the way, I stopped to buy something. I hope that Lizzy won't get mad at me for being there. I don't want us to argue again. When I arrived, I knocked on the door, and Noah opened it.

- Hello, my friend. Come in.

- Hey. This is for you.

- You bought me a gift. I appreciate it. - he said, chuckling

- You are in a good mood.

- I am.

- Hey, Kevin. Come in. Only you have left. - Nia said

- What do you mean?

- She means that we came before you. - Nia's mom said

- I see.

- What is this? - Nia asked

- He bought it for me.

- Is Lizzy here? - I asked

- No, she went out with a friend. This is why I called you. She might not want to talk with you, but it doesn't mean I will ignore you, too. I'm not like her.

- I don't mind. I got used to it.

- Give her some time.

- Where should I sit?

- Next to me. - Ben said

- Oh, hey, buddy. How was your day?

- Good. Will you sit with me?

- Sure.

- Thank you. I don't hate you. - he said, and I laughed

- It's good to know.

- Ben, we don't talk about this, and you know it. - Nia said

- I'm sorry. It won't repeat.

- It's ok. I see your mom's traces.

- Well, I influence him only. Lizzy is all yours.

- I don't think so.

- She is a mini version of you. Everyone knows it.

- Why?

- She can't look like Noah. I'm not that stubborn. You two act the same way.

- Fine. I won't say anything.

- Accept the truth. You can't do anything. - Noah said, and we laughed

I'm glad that Nia is not ignoring me. We don't act like before, but at least we are friends. This is more than enough for me. Lizzy is out with a friend. She needs to socialize more. Even if I tell her, she won't listen to me. Maybe Nia is right. We are the same. I don't want her to be like me, but I can't change it. Lizzy should be whoever she wants. It's her life and her choice. I wanted to go home early, but no one let me. I think they like that I'm here.

- It's too early for you to go home. Also, we like your company. You are not a bad guy. - Nia said, chuckling

- No one said he was. - Noah said

- You know what I mean.

- Thank you for inviting me. It's nice being here.

- You can come whenever you want. I can't forbid you to see her. I mean, I will never do it.

- I know, but it's better if I stay away from her for a while.

- She will change her mind.

- I hope so. This is all I want from her.

- It's not easy for her. She is hurt.

- But why? I think you should be mad at me, not her. I did this to you, not to Lizzy.

- Honestly, I don't know what to tell you.

- Give her some time. - Noah said

- She can do whatever she wants. I won't bother her anymore.

- I didn't say that.

- I know, but that way is better.

- We all know you love her, even if you will never admit it. - Nia's mom said

- Maybe, but it doesn't matter.

- What is he doing here? - Lizzy asked

- Hey, you are home early. - Nia said

- Answer my question.

- Your mom and I invited him for dinner. - Noah said

- Why would you do this?

- Don't worry. I'm leaving. - I said

- Good.

- I came because of your mom, not because of you.

- I don't care. Just leave.

- I will. You won't see me again. I promise.

- Finally, you started listening to me.

- I will always do it.

- You were supposed to be leaving. The door is over there.

- Lizzy! - Nia said

- It's ok. I'll go. Thanks for the dinner. - I said and left

I didn't expect her to like my company. We still don't talk to each other. I don't know how long it will take us. This won't be easy. I think this is my worst mission. I made drug deliveries every day, but I couldn't have a simple conversation with my daughter. If I say this out loud, someone will laugh at me. Everyone keeps telling me to give her time. I'm trying, but it's hard. I can't keep ignoring her. I did this for so long. This is why I came back. I wanted us to have better relations. I can tell her the truth. The thing is that I'm not sure if this will change something. I hope that I won't make a mistake.