But they’re not playing nice anymore. Anyone close to Maeve—anyone she cares about—is collateral.
“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully. “Given past circumstances, I’d be on high alert.”
His jaw bunches. “What happened?”
“We have a mole.” No point in lying. “And Ace is in trouble. More than she’ll admit.”
A sliver of sympathy shines in his eyes. I fuckinghateit. He shouldn’t care about her—not like I do. Not like I have. “What kind of trouble?”
“Bad.” I wave my hand in the air. “Things are tense. The city is close to war. And Bruno isn’t helping the situation.”
Not like he ever does, the fucking idiot.
“What do you need from me?”
“Information.” Stubbing out my cigarette in his crystal ashtray, I keep his gaze. “We’re looking into the leak, but I want you to keep an ear out. Anything that sounds off. Anyone who might be suspicious.”
Lex nods resolutely. “On my honor. Ace is my family. So is Collins and Hayes. I’ll make sure my men are aware.” He gestures to Tony, and the big brute leaves without another word. Lowering his voice, he nods once. “Is she alright?”
How do I tell the capo that the most fearsome woman in this city is trying to kill herself to keep everyone else safe? Self-sacrificing pain in the ass that she is, she’d be dead if I didn’t keep pulling her out of the fucking flames.
“Perfect,” I respond, smirking. Tapping my lips, I say, “Remember, capo. She doesn’t know I was here. Anything you find comes directly to me.”
“Great,” he mutters. “More secrets.”
“In this life, you should be used to it.”
Exiting the club, I pull my jacket close, fighting the brisk cold of winter. The gray overcast sky darkens the street, and I sidestep the black ice as I get into Maeve’s car. Taking out my phone, I send a clipped message to Briar.
Send me all the names of all the players in the city who are active.
I open the car door, and Briar responds quickly.
Briar: Why? What aren’t you telling me?
Groaning, I pinch my brow, letting the car warm up. Without her here, it still smells like the perfume that torments me in my dreams. I’m a fucking masochist, so I take her car just to be hurt by it.
Opening the message, I hesitate. Not because Briar can’t handle the truth—but if anyone is more protective than Maeve, it’s Briar. Once he learns what’s happening, it’ll take an act of God to keep him out of the city.
It’s safer for him to stay away.
The Board is sending players after your sister.
She’s safe. I want to intercept.
Three dots appear and disappear in rapid succession. I can imagine his angry green eyes under a curtain of dark hair, fingers furiously pushing keys.
Briar: If anything fucking happens to her…
He doesn’t finish the message. He doesn’t have to.
Get in line, kid.
16
MAEVE
The sweltering café makes my skin itch.
