“It’s not about the money. The money is fine. I’d do it for free if it came down to it.”
“Then what’s the damn problem?” I sat at the edge of my desk in my apartment and stared at him.
“I fucked up. I shouldn’t be in a position like this. I realized I’m not good at it?—”
“Respectfully, Ryder, shut the fuck up.” I held my hand up to him. “I’m not accepting this letter. I’ll move you somewhere else, but you’re not quitting. You’re one of my best men.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Your girl is missing because of my failure. I’d hardly call me one of the best, and if I am? You need to evaluate your staff.”
I sighed. “What happened with Rosalie wasn’t your fault?—”
“Then whose fault was it?” he demanded. “Huh? Because I was in charge, and now she’s fucking gone. Your girl is gone. She might be being tortured and shrieking for you right fucking now. She might even be dead.” His bottom lip trembled. “That’s on me.”
I looked away from him. He was right. Those things could be happening to her, but I didn’t blame him. I’d been in enough scraps in my life to know shit didn’t always go to plan. Rosalie’s being gone was slowly killing me, but I in no way blamed him.
“I’m not accepting this,” I said, nodding to the letter on my desk. “I’ll transfer you if you need to be transferred, but that’s all you’ll get from me.”
“Fine. Transfer me,” he said softly. “I don’t want to work with Rosalie anymore. If there even is still a Rosalie.”
I ground my teeth at his trembling words, but nodded. I went to my seat and checked my computer. I had quite a lot of clients needing my services. I found one in New York City that could use someone like him. Quickly, I set everything up as he sat in front of me, staring at a wall, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.
I printed out the necessary documents and stuffed them into an envelope.
“Here.” I handed them to him. “New York City. Your flight is booked. You leave in the morning. You’ll be staying at one of my places. The code for the door is in there. Everything you need is enclosed. Client’s name is Trevor Rinaldo. He needs someone to watch his back every now and then. Not a hard job.”
He grunted at that and took the packet from me. I watched him stand.
“We’ll miss you,” I said softly.
“I’ll miss you guys too,” he mumbled before turning to walk away from me. I let him go because what the hell else could I do?
Anson would likely kill me, but if he needed to be transferred, so be it. It beat losing him completely.
I never thoughtI’d say it, but I was tired of beating people up.
“You’re bored,” Evan commented as I threw the brick aside, the dead man still twitching a little.
I wiped the blood off my face. “Yeah. I’m bored. I’m tired of dead ends. If nothing else, Dante should put us on his fucking payroll because we’re cleaning up a lot of scrubs.”
“Or Enzo and Dom should,” Evan said as he pulled his phone out to call Church for a cleanup.
I grunted. “I think we’ve done all we can do here. I hate to admit it, but I really don’t think she’s here.”
Evan said nothing as he stared at the wall. Finally, he nodded and left the warehouse. I followed him out and caught him by the shoulder.
“I didn’t say it to be a dick,” I started.
“I know,” he said. “I know you didn’t. I just hate that I think you’re right. But if she’s not here, then where? The world is a really big fucking place, man.”
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “I think we need to maybe talk to Asylum.”
“Why would he not give the information to Dante?” Evan frowned. “Dante will kill him if he withholds information.”
“You know how Asylum is. He lets things play out. Even if he told us she’s safe wherever she is, I’d rest a little easier.”
Evan grunted before leaning against the car. “Ryder leaves in the morning.”
“I know.”
