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Dante did as I asked.
“How much do you really know?”
The other man studied me for a moment and then leaned back against his car, folding his arms.
“I know that whoever this guy is, he’s important enough that I had to leave my fiancé alone in bed on the one night we’ve had together in weeks,” he said coolly.
I ignored his comment and strode around to the car’s passenger side. I opened the door and grabbed the file folder and flipped through it, the light from the interior dome light enough to let me see the contents. It was just Levi’s arrest record and his picture. Nothing more. But that didn’t really mean anything. I tossed the folder back on the seat and shut the door before going back to the driver’s side.
I stepped close to Dante and said, “You and I have always gotten along, Dante. But you go near him,” – I motioned to the store – “and that won’t be the case anymore. Do you understand me?”
Threatening Dante wasn’t the smartest thing I’d ever done, but if my hunch was right and Ronan had lost faith in me, I needed to be sure Dante understood the stakes.
Dante’s jaw tightened for the briefest of moments, proof that he didn’t like the warning I’d issued, but then, to my surprise, he relaxed his posture.
“Look, Memphis just told me to sit on the guy until you get back. I don’t know what the fuck is going on or who this guy is to Memphis…to you.” Dante paused before saying, “I just want to get this done so I can get home to my man, so get out of here. He,” – he jerked his head towards the store – “is in good hands. I promise.”
I searched Dante’s eyes for any kind of lie, but didn’t see any sign of deception.
I nodded and forced myself to go to my car. The drive to Memphis’s house took about twenty minutes. I was greeted at the door by one of his lovers, young Tristan Barretti.
“Hey, Phoenix,” he said as he gave me a hug. He held me for a long time and I knew why. I’d been tasked with guarding him when he, Memphis, and their other lover, Brennan Devereaux had been struggling to figure out their relationship. I’d grown particularly close to Tristan, had even told him things about Amani that I hadn’t told anyone else.
“Hey,” I said. “How are things?” I asked as I followed him into the house.
“Good,” he said with a broad smile. “How’s Amani?”
I nodded. “She’s good.”
Tristan brushed his hand up and down my arm, but didn’t say anything. It was one of my favorite things about Tristan. He was good at giving a person just what they needed.
“Memphis is in the office,” Tristan said as he led me to the living room where I saw Brennan sitting on the couch in front of a big screen TV, a white cat curled on his lap.
“Hi, Phoenix,” Brennan said with a wave.
“Hey.” To Tristan I said, “Thanks,” and started walking towards the back of the house. I saw Tristan go sit down next to Brennan who immediately put his arm around his shoulders while Tristan laid his head on Brennan’s chest. I wondered if I’d ever have that. That need to always be touching another…like you’d become part of them and they you. Even when you were doing something as simple as watching television.
I made my way to the office where Memphis was sitting behind a desk, his eyes on a piece of paper in front of him.
“Come on in,” he said. “Close the door.”
I did as he said, but when he motioned to the chair, I didn’t move. His dark eyes lifted to meet mine and then he leaned back in his chair.
“I was thinking Ronan might be mistaken, but now I’m guessing not,” he said.
“Ronan’s wrong about this,” I said, not bothering to dance around the subject. “We don’t have all the information yet.”
“Phoenix,” Memphis said with a sigh. “Sit…please.” He motioned again to the chair on the other side of the desk. I reluctantly sat down.
“Ronan has concerns that you may be compromised. That you feel pity for the mark.”
“His name is Levi,” I said, trying to keep my anger in check.
“Levi,” Memphis conceded. “Ronan’s shared his notes with me. Why don’t you tell me what you’ve discovered?”
“Does it matter?” I asked. “You’ve made your decision. Ronan’s made his.”
“Think about it for a moment, Phoenix. Ronan could have called any one of his guys tonight and given his order. He could have easily had a dozen guys detain you while one followed through on his termination order. But he called me.”
“Why?” I asked.
Memphis shook his head. “Because I think he’s scared shitless. I think he came close to losing Seth a year ago and that’s not something you can just come back from.”
