Travis groaned. “Christ. I don’t know what’s worse. You guys tiptoeing around each other for years or making puppy dog eyes across the room.”
I socked him in the shoulder as he grinned. “I’m happy for you. About fucking time. Now, the reason I came over,” he continued, his tone hardening into the business mode I recognized. He looked to Sid. “Got a few things you need to be briefed on.” Sid nodded and they both moved toward the living room as Travis pulled his phone out of his pocket.
I followed, much to Trav’s obvious dismay.
“What?” I challenged. “You’re talking about me and you expect me to just bury my head in the sand?”
“Hey, a guy can hope,” Trav grumbled.
“Save your energy, man,” Declan’s dry tone rang out over the phone that Trav had put on speaker.
Sid tried unsuccessfully to hide his smile as I glared at him.
“I deserve to know what’s going on,” I continued, sitting on the leather chair in the corner and pulling my legs underneath me, indicating that I planned to stay awhile.
“All right, babe, you’re right,” Sid agreed, coming to stand beside me as my brother raised a surprised brow at him. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one getting used to Sid using a term of endearment for me.
“The feds have a guy undercover with the Russians,” Travis began. “They were able to confirm what we suspected, that Ivanov was the one who attacked Sam.”
“He’s fucking dead,” Sid growled, his hand flexing on my shoulder.
“What he will be is locked up,” Travis replied firmly. “While I’d love to get my hands around that motherfucker’s neck, we’ll turn him over to the feds if we get him before they do.” He paused before his gaze fell to the phone. “Dec, you said you had an update—let’s hear it. “
“Zitto’s dead. He was found this morning.” Declan’s news sent my heart into free fall. Despite the position Zitto had put me in, I’d known him for years. Worked alongside him. I knew his family. Sid’s hand grasped my shoulder in silent support as I grappled with my emotions.
“And Camille?” I managed through barely moving lips.
“She’s okay. She was at her sister’s at the time, which is where she’ll stay for now.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” I demanded.
Declan cleared his throat before he continued. “My contact that’s undercover confirmed Ivanov still thinks the diamond is with Sam. He has no real reason to go after Zitto’s wife.”
“Because he’ll come after me instead,” I finished his sentence for him.
Sid’s hand grasped my shoulder nearly to the point of pain. I knew he was fighting hard for control.
“But the feds have it now, right?” I asked, trying to keep my head on straight. “The diamond, I mean.”
Travis looked at me, his expression impossible to read. “No. They don’t.”
“But….” I sputtered.
“We partner with the feds, Sam, but we’re gonna play this my way. Plus, our guy thinks there might be a mole in the bureau. I’m not handing anything over until we know the state of play.” He turned his attention to Declan, clearly done with explaining himself to me. “Can we create a false leak through your undercover guy?” he wondered aloud. “That the diamond’s with the feds. That Sam never had it?”
Declan cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Zitto was tortured, man. I think it’s pretty safe to say that he told them who he gave it to.”
“Motherfucker!” The outburst escaped Sid’s throat in an unexpected roar as he paced the room.
“Masters, calm the fuck down,” Travis barked, his eyes dark with frustration.
Seeing two of the men I cared about most so upset had me scrambling for ideas. “Well,” I spoke up. “What if… I give it back to him?”
Both their heads shot over to me. “What?” Sid demanded.
I shrugged. Was it really that crazy of an idea?
Sid was already shaking his head. “Nuh-uh. No fucking way are you bait.”
