Sex, Lies and Valentines
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Tawny Weber
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Prologue
“YOU’RE PUSHING your luck. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose everything you’ve worked for, including your freedom.”
Contemplating that, Tobias Black leaned back in his leather chair, looking out the window at his kingdom—otherwise known as the small town of Black Oak. Then he sighed and glanced toward his speaker phone.
“Some things are worth the risk, my friend. Having my family back is one of them.”
“Have you ever considered simply calling your son, asking him to come home and help you?” Exasperation rang through the phone like a bell. “You’re under investigation for multiple criminal activities. The man who was attacked in your own motorcycle shop not three weeks ago has accused you not only of the act, but as being the leader of a new crime conglomerate forming in Northern California. And instead of focusing on clearing your name, you’re plotting to con your own son.”
“Not con,” Tobias corrected meticulously. “I don’t do cons anymore, remember? I’ve reformed and made restitution for everything I stole over the years.”
“That won’t stop you from being convicted if you don’t clear your name. Is it worth the risk to play such an elaborate game?”
Tobias considered that question. Two months ago, he’d dealt this hand and won in spades. Not only had he pulled the strings to bring his oldest son, Caleb, home, the boy was now town sheriff and getting married.
A month ago, counting on his daughter Maya’s determination to save him from himself, he’d dealt the next hand. That one had been a winner, too. But barely, considering Maya had brought her very own FBI agent home with her. The game had gotten dicey there for a while. But that only added to the pleasure of winning. And winning in that case meant Maya was moving back to town, and engaged to be married.
Now he had to deal with Gabriel.
Of his three children, Gabriel was the one who was most like Tobias himself. This would be his biggest challenge. Tobias felt his stomach clench. Nerves? He’d once conned a former U.S. President into supporting a fraudulent charity and had only felt glee. But facing his family, initiating this last stage of the game… Big winged moths were battling in his belly.
“It’s worth the risk,” he repeated as if he wasn’t worried. “Even if I begged, Gabriel wouldn’t come home. This is the only way to get him here. We need someone on the inside. Someone with a reputation that will convince the criminals that he’s one of them. But more importantly, someone with a vested interest in clearing my name.”
“And you truly believe the criminal contingent meeting there in town will let him in?”
“Thanks to Caleb’s research, we know three of the crime bosses’ names. I’ve made arrangements with someone whose computer skills I trust.”
That someone being his daughter, who was gifted with amazing hacking skills. He took a deep breath, knowing he was committed to this. He had to be; his freedom, his family, his very life depended on it. But it was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
“This someone hacked their email using mirror accounts, so each of them thinks the other is putting Gabriel’s name forth as the last member. They’ve taken the bait, and his invitation has been issued from whoever is leading this scheme.”
Even as he said the words, a fission of fear worked its way down his spine. It was one thing to conceive a con, to hone the details. Even to set the game in motion. But to bring his son home meant putting him in the arms of criminals who, unlike Tobias, had no compunction in using violence. He was risking a lot for himself. But he was risking just as much for his son.
“Fine, fine. As usual, you’ve crafted an intricate net that will undoubtedly get the results you want.” The other man sighed, then added in a tone of someone who knew he’d be ignored. “But having your own son arrested in order to get him home might be taking it a step too far, old friend. Even for you.”
