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“That doesn’t ring any bells for me,” Snow admitted, confused.
“He has ties to a guy named Phoenix Phillips. That ring any bells?”
Snow shut his eyes as his past swarmed up to blacken his vision.
“Who is that?” Jude asked.
“Someone I used to know,” Snow answered in a low voice filled with shame. “And he’s not someone you want to know. Remember that sex club I took you to? He was one of the organizers.”
“Terrific,” Jude muttered, pushing his plate away. “So, what now?”
Ian, who’d been quiet as he prepared a meal for Rowe, set the plate down in front of him and walked around the island to Jude. “Either Snow or I contact him.”
“Oh, hell no,” Snow said, getting to his feet. “You aren’t going anywhere near that fucker.”
“But I know him, too,” Ian admitted, his voice low. “He used to run in Jagger’s circles.”
“Ian,” Rowe said. “I’m with Snow. You’re staying out of this. Jagger is dead and this part of your past is closed permanently.”
“But I can help this time.”
“And so can Snow,” Jude said. “I have to agree with them.”
“You guys are always protecting me! When are you going to realize I’m a grown fucking man now?” He took off his apron and threw it over a chair. Underneath, he was dressed in fashionable torn jeans and a maroon sweater. He swiped a hand through his short, streaked hair.
“I don’t know why we’re arguing about this.” Snow snapped. “All I have to do is contact him and see if he can give me a location on this Donald.”
Jude buried his head in his hands. “Fuck. Why didn’t Jordan just come to me? I can’t believe this.” He lifted his face to Snow, his expression bleak. “I don’t want you involved in any of that either. Not again.”
“You want to find this guy or not?” Snow knew his tone was harsh, but he didn’t like this any more than the rest of them did. He’d moved past all that crap and wanted it to stay in his past as much as Jude did.
Rowe cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him. “This isn’t going to be as simple as a phone call. Plus, you don’t have to. I have the location of the next club gathering.”
“How the hell did you get that?” Snow asked. “It’s not like they have an online calendar.”
Rowe shrugged. “Cole is good at what he does. I only hire the best.”
“So I go.” Snow shrugged. “I can still move in those circles easier than any of the rest of us.”
“I need some air,” Jude announced before he walked out the door to the deck. A cold wind slipped through the opening, chilling the warmth that had flooded the room just minutes ago.
“Let him go,” Rowe said when Snow moved to follow. “There’s more.”
Snow sat back down, the knot in his stomach tightening.
“This Donald guy is a wanted man. Assault and rape. He’s done this before, it seems. You find his location, drop a tip to the authorities, and he’s snapped up. I’d rather you did that than whatever that angry man”—he pointed toward the deck—“has planned in his upset mind right now.”
“Then why not just tip them off to the next club meeting?” Ian asked.
“Because it would be better if Snow went and made sure he was there.”
“I hate the thought of you going to one of those places again.” Ian crossed his arms. “I’m serious. I don’t like this plan at all.”
“Neither do I, Ian,” Snow murmured. “I turned my life around, thanks to you and especially thanks to that man outside. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what I have with him, and reintroducing him to my past isn’t going to do us any favors.”
“Then just call the fucking police!” Ian yelled.
“Whoa.” Rowe came around the bar to put his hands on Ian’s shoulders. “You know how we do these things. Noah and I’ll be there as backup. Snow won’t be in any danger—not really.”
“Jordan is really caught up in that world?” Ian’s voice was small.
“He really is.”
“God, he’s such a kid.”
“And you know more than most, that’s what some like. The young ones.” Rowe snarled. “That may be blunt, but it’s the truth.”
“Then we have to help him. He’s a sweet guy, and I hate knowing he’s caught up in all that.” He looked at their half-finished plates. “In fact, I’m calling in today and taking Anna some food in the hospital. But for the record, I say again, I hate this plan.”
“It wouldn’t be a Snow and Rowe plan if you loved it.” Rowe smirked.
Ian’s shoulders slumped as he looked from Rowe to Snow. “Should we call Lucas? It feels weird not having him involved.”
“No!” Rowe and Snow said in unison. Rowe grinned at Snow, and he shook his head.
“Let Lucas and Andrei focus on Daci for now,” Snow said.
