AllFreeNovel
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Karlee goes and grabs a covered painting and hangs it on an easel. It’s her again.
But this time, she’s got a sheet or something around her, off the shoulders, like she’s about to drop it. The piece is rough, in blacks and grays, and somehow has the feel of motion in its unfinished state.
The blond young teacher eyes me and Nicolo, then comes up to her, and I try not to growl as they talk about the fucking painting.
Karlee starts talking about another student. I’m not really listening as I plan various ways to make the blond idiot suffer, right up until she asks where the girl is.
Walker shrugs and casts me a look. “Why do you ask?”
Nicolo also goes still at that.
“Because her things are up, and she was looking forward to working on her piece this week.”
He sighs. “I thought you’d heard from her. I’m concerned. She told me she needed to go home for a day or two, some family emergency, but she’s not back.”
Nicolo and I exchange a look—someone else to look into.
“Karlee, is something wrong? Your bodyguard is here.”
I smile pleasantly. “Boyfriend.”
My phone buzzes, and it’s Diego. “Boss?”
“Bring Nicolo and meet me here for a minute.”
I hang up and nod to the door. We both meet Diego. “What is it?”
“Got a lead on the couple you were interested in. Frank’s distracting them. We can go?—”
“No, stay here, watch that fucking teacher, and break him if he so much as looks at Karlee funny. And get the name of the girl whose art’s still there. Karlee will know.”
“Play it cool?”
“Got it. Come on, Nicolo.”
It’s a short drive, and Nicolo fills me in on the intel he’s gotten on the Lowlanders and O’Grady. The doubt in his voice is more than there over the man. The organization, not so much, but really, can we separate them?
Maybe I need to visit or arrange one as head enforcer for the De Luca’s.
Tricky but . . .
If this shit doesn’t pan out, it might be all I have. Because I really don’t know if this couple is going to be the one we want. After all, the description from Karlee was sketchy.
“Ya’ know, it’s easier to take it like a man and admit how you feel.’
I stare at Nicolo. “What are you talking about, bro?”
“Your pretty jailbait. She’s of age, I read her file, she’s no wilting untouched flower.”
My eyes narrow.
“C’mon, man, you know what I mean. My fucking Avah’s older than her and a lot younger in her experiences. Avah was sheltered, Karlee made her way on her own.”
“I’d stop now,” I say.
“Sure thing. Only trying to help. She’s clearly into you, and you can’t keep your fucking eyes or hands off her. Or mouth, from the state of her throat.” He pauses. “Done now.”
I think about adding Nicolo to my list, family or not. Then something comes to me. “Why does Frank think this couple are the same ones?”
