“It’s a serious concern,” I stated. “He’s been with you for the better part of a decade, and ever since I came into your life, things have changed. I understand why he’s acting the way he is.”
“I understand too, but it doesn’t mean I like it. I don’t like that he’s questioning my judgment and your loyalty.”
“Some people are afraid of change.”
“Aye.”
“You’ve impressed Sasha,” I said, switching the conversation. “He likes how you handle things.”
“That guy is adaptable,” Flynn said, his voice filled with reluctant admiration. “I’ll give him that.”
“You’ll never trust him, will you?”
“He was Dolinsky’s right-hand man for years. And now he’s the head of the Russian mob and is steadfastly loyal to you. Just strange.”
“Some people are afraid of change,” I repeated to him.
He smiled faintly. “If he helps pull this off with Winters, then I won’t question him ever again.”
“Hopefully, it will all be over in two days, and then we can focus on expanding our empire.”
“You’re thinking of expansion. Already?” he asked in amusement.
“Think about it. With us in league with the Russians, and Marino about to be the sacrificial lamb, we can swoop in and take over the rest of the city. I think we should have a plan.”
“We?”
“I support you, Flynn, whatever you want to do. And I know things now… It would be difficult going back.”
“I’m glad you know things.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t have to hide anything from you now.”
“I like that there’s nothing between us.” As soon as I said it, I realized it wasn’t really true. For the first time in our relationship, I was the one with secrets. I had a new respect for the burden that Flynn had once carried. But sharing secrets didn’t always mean absolution. It could taint us, what I’d done to Vlad. Taint us further, anyway.
“You’re sure Marino has no idea what’s about to happen?”
“He’s none the wiser,” Flynn assured.
“So much could go wrong. What if—”
He cut me off with his lips, and I let him distract me. When I was sated and relaxed, I let my mind wander while his hands slid down my body in a lazy caress. I wanted to sleep, but I hated what waited for me there. I was unraveling. I suddenly had a vision of myself, sitting in a shrink’s office, feeling very much like Robert De Niro inAnalyze This.The idea had me chuckling.
“What’s funny?” Flynn asked, his voice drowsy.
“Nothing.” I didn’t think Flynn would find it amusing.
“Hmmm,” he murmured, before sinking in to sleep.
I didn’t even bother attempting to get comfortable knowing I would just toss and turn for hours. Throwing back the covers, I got up out of bed and headed to the living room. I didn’t want to sit around and worry, so I put on some clothes and called down to the club, asking for Lacey. She wasn’t in.
I hadn’t seen her since I’d returned to The Rex. Perhaps I could unload on her. She was good at giving advice, having shared Flynn’s confidence for the better part of a decade.
Perhaps she was on The Fifteenth Floor.
I’d wanted to check out the brothel for a while, but there had always been something else to do. Flynn’s private elevator had access to all the hidden parts of the hotel.
