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“I’m fine. I have to be, because it’s just me and…” The tears flowed, and she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Nina?”
“I know you may not believe me, Viktor, but I wasn’t involved with this. I don’t think Zinc was, either, even if his drug addiction was a fact. You both saved me from Polo’s men. Polo wanted me even after you took over the club, and you and Zinc got him to stay away.”
“We did, and I thought it was over years ago when he didn’t contact you anymore. Nina, Zinc told Atlanta one night, months before they were assigned to you and he was killed, that you belonged to a made man. Could Zinc have been working out some kind of side deal with Polo over you? He did show interest, and it took a lot to get him to back off and let you live your life…”
“Oh, God. My own brother?” She shook her head and cried. “Could this get any worse?” The tears continued to flow.
“Cramer is looking into some other things. I have men investigating, as well, and some inside people in Polo’s organization. We’ll get to the bottom of this. You should know that Corona and his team are back in town.” She was shocked, and a mix of emotions filled her body.
“Do they know what’s going on?”
“Yes, and they will try to see you. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding with the money.”
“It was pretty clear to me. I should get going. Please keep me informed of any details.”
“You, as well. If anyone contacts you, call me and we’ll take care of it.”
Nina left with a heavy heart and the knowledge that she couldn’t stay in Chicago much longer. She needed to disappear. It was the only way to settle things and move on with a new life that would keep her and the baby safe.
Chapter 10
“Don’t go see her. We can’t give her the kind of life she deserves,” Atlanta said to Freeman.
Freeman ran his fingers through his hair and stared at his brothers, his team.
“I can’t take it. I miss her. I want to see her and make sure that she’s okay. This shit with her brother and Cramer looking into her as a suspect is ridiculous,” Freeman said.
“We don’t know her well enough to know if she was part of that or not. If you go see her, then what? You want to take her back to our place and screw around with her for the week we’re here or the days we’re around before we get another call? It’s fucked up. Plus, what if she is involved with Polo? Do we really know her?” Jessup said to him.
“How could you even think Nina would be involved with that? You know, I don’t care. I’m going to Bailey’s, and if I see her, I’ll talk to her and ask her how she is. You guys can stay the fuck here.”
Freeman was pissed as he headed out the door. They were back in town and could be here for a few days, maybe a week. They didn’t know, but he knew he missed seeing her, and he was worried about her and the fact that she might hate them. He had to see Nina, and whatever happened, happened.
* * * *
Nina nervously parked her car and then walked down the block to Polo’s bar. She had to end this bullshit here and now. What she hadn’t expected to see was Mirella leaving from the back entrance and getting into her car. Nina turned away from that direction and hurried to the front entrance before Mirella could see her. She had a bad feeling in her gut. As she debated about going into the bar, the door opened and two of Polo’s main guys appeared. They saw her and held the door open.
She knew it was too late to turn around and leave, so she straightened out her spine and headed inside. If this was a mistake, then she wasn’t as street-smart as she thought she was.
The place was pretty empty, considering it was late afternoon. She figured Polo was a creature of habit and would be there. He always got into the bar by four o’clock, sometimes even earlier if he had meetings with businessmen. She had enough time before she needed to be at Bailey’s tonight.
Nina glanced around and noted a few familiar faces. She hadn’t wanted anyone to know she was here in Polo’s bar, but she figured word traveled fast, especially since both she and Zinc were now accused of ripping off Polo. For her to come here would be considered foolish, as though she were ballsy or had a death wish. She was hoping the latter would get spread around the streets.
The moment the door opened to the back room, she spotted Polo. He looked a bit older than he had six years ago, but she was surprised by how good he looked, but He was an attractive man with a tan complexion, bold black hair with a dusting of grey here and there, and he always wore a three-piece suit. Today was no different, and the expression on his face told her she’d pleased him as she entered the room.
His eyes roamed over her body. She’d been sure to dress appropriately, wanting to appear professional, classy, and in attire to manage the club tonight, where she would be heading to from here if all went well.
He approached slowly and nodded to his guards.
One of them stood in front of her. “Arms up,” he said to her, and she knew they were going to check her for guns, but with a dress this tight, there was no room for weapons, not even the knife she would have loved to have carried on her inner thigh, just in case things got out of hand. Instead, she’d come unarm
ed, just ready to plead her case and ask Polo what he thought happened and where he stood.
“You look incredible, Nina. It’s been too long.” He placed his hands on her arms and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
She was sure to not tighten up and let him know how scared she was of him and his capabilities. A man like Polo could end her life, and she wasn’t just looking out for herself now. She was looking out for her baby, too.
