“You really do look like my kid brother.”
“So I’ve heard. The documents look great, though. Thanks again for doing that.”
“Happy to help.”
“I know it’s only been a few days,” I said, “but have you been able to dig up anything on Philip Ashcroft?”
“Nothing we can use against him. Not yet, anyway. But from what my people are discovering, he’s no run-of-the-mill businessman. There are some indications that he might have ties to organized crime.”
I muttered, “That’s really fucking great.”
“But you do too, Sal. Don’t worry, okay? He’s not going to find you, and I won’t stop digging until we come up with something we can use as leverage.”
We spoke for a few more minutes, and despite his reassurances, I had a knot in my stomach by the time we ended the call.
Fifteen minutes later, he sent me a text to let me know his courier was in the lobby, so I packed up the gun and the bullets and went back downstairs.
Bunny looked hopeful as he hurried over to me. I handed him the box and said, “Thanks again,” before turning around and pushing the button to reopen the elevator doors.
He muttered, “Damn. I thought you changed your mind, and this was a booty call.”
“Nope. I’m still seeing someone.”
“What does he have that I don’t?”
I grinned and stepped onto the elevator. “Me.”
Once I was back in my flat, I came up with an excuse to send Armando a text, because I wanted to talk to him again. It said:I forgot to tell you the dress code for tomorrow is jeans and trainers.
He video called me a minute later, sounding amused when he said, “I had to look that up.”
“Look what up?”
“Trainers. Apparently it’s Brit-speak for sneakers.”
“It is. I don’t always realize how my time in the UK influenced my speech.”
“I like it,” he said, as he moved around the diner’s kitchen. “By the way, you’re going to be proud of me, because Javi talked me into leaving early. As soon as my cook gets back from his break, I’m out of here.”
“How did Javier succeed where I’ve failed?”
“He asked me if he could work extra hours, because he’s saving up to take his family on vacation. I obviously wouldn’t say no to something like that.”
I nodded. “Sounds about right.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve noticed you’ll gladly do things for other people, but if it’s something that only benefits you, you’ll fight it.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but then he admitted, “You might be right.”
“I’m glad you’re going to get some rest, and I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
“I wish I could see you sooner,” he said shyly. “If you wanted to spend the night, I could make us a nice brunch in the morning, before we do whatever it is you have planned for us.”
I leapt up from the sofa. “I’m on my way. I just need to pack an overnight bag, and then I’ll be there in a couple of hours.”
“Oh wow, that’s great! But you should know it may take longer than that to get here. There’s going to be a lot of traffic, since it’s Friday night. Actually, it might be really awful, so if you don’t want to?—”
