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I slammed my fist on the desk, glaring at the computer screen. I’d almost raked my arm across the surface three times, tossing the expensive equipment halfway across the room. My anger had reached a new precipice, the unknowing driving me fucking insane. I’d been cavalier in my threats, but if I hadn’t been I’d be kept under the man’s thumb like half the goddamn businesses in the city.
I’d make some inquiries. It’s what people hadn’t said during our conversations that had tipped me off. Michael Azzurri had swept in three years before, ceremoniously taking away at least thirty percent of control from various business owners. From bakers to ice carving companies, food service representatives to marketing and advertising companies, dozens of them had fallen prey to Azzurri’s organization. Other resorts had suffered as well.
The dude was smart. I had to give him that. He had a legitimate corporation that filed their taxes, paid every county assessment, and gave to charities. Meanwhile, he was bleeding good folks of their hard-earned cash in exchange for protection and their supposed share of the pie. It was an old school method of handling business that my father had talked about, teaching me the special art of playing inside the mob.
He hadn’t thought I’d paid attention. I had to wonder if he was rolling over in his grave, proud of me or laughing that I was playing Russian roulette. What continued to nag me was that there’d been no reason for Azzurri to suddenly end my brother’s life. Galen had been working diligently in his capacity, my approximations about how much money he’d laundered for the man closing in on five million dollars. That wasn’t chump change, especially if that’s how Michael handled most of the debts owed.
Why would Michael suddenly decide to end the relationship?
Perhaps I’d been right and he’d gotten wind of the evidence Galen had been collecting. If that was the case, then Galen would have told someone about the information he’d gathered or had been seen by a member of Azzurri’s organization. Either way, I wanted answers.
As the ugly thoughts continued to flow in my mind, I shifted through various pictures on the Diamond Skies website. Azzurri was pictured with dozens of celebrities and politicians. Women hung all over him in every picture. There had to be two hundred vivid photographs of the poshest place in town, according to Galen’s last advertising campaign.
I continued flipping, my mind elsewhere. Then I shifted back to two that had caught my eye. Exhaling, I tapped my fingers on the keyboard. It should mean nothing, not really. But why did it bother me so much?
Thoughts spun inside my mind, enough that I needed answers, not additional questions. I yanked the file I’d created from Galen’s personal belongings into my hand, searching until I found the location of the mechanic’s shop where my brother had taken his Lexus. Then I shut down the computer, grabbing my keys. It was time to handle things my way.
I bypassed the truck, heading toward my bike. I hadn’t ridden since arriving and I felt the need in every inch of my bones. As I jumped on, I glared at the house like I’d done every time I’d driven into the driveway. Maybe Harlow was right. I should sell the place, find a location where Lily could be nurtured by nature, not hampered by luxurious surroundings. At least Galen and I had been allowed to experience trees and grass, stomping through our mother’s flowers until she became exasperated, then forced to replant them as our punishment.
Grinning, I revved the engine then took off, the freedom of a bike usually able to clear my thoughts. The one thing that had never been far from my mind was Harlow’s face after I’d told her what had occurred in Afghanistan. She’d been mortified. I couldn’t blame her. Her expression was the same as everyone else who’d heard about the incident.
Still, I’d also seen something else in those gorgeous eyes of hers.
Care.
Hell, maybe love, as if I was some expert in the field. Galen had believed in love at first sight. The damn romantic in the man had always come to the surface, his lovestruck attitude toward almost every woman making the disappointment when they’d broken up gut-wrenching. But he’d persevered, Marissa his one true love. Or so he’d told me a thousand times when we’d been on speaking terms.
If I could go back, changing the course of history, I’m not certain I would handle it any better. I wasn’t a good brother on any level, but I’d had nothing to compare it to. I zoomed out of the neighborhood, my instincts to flick the bird at the gatekeeper standing guard at the entrance. The older man didn’t deserve my wrath any more than the employees who’d been working diligently under new direction.
Not mine.
Harlow had already outdone herself, proving that the fucker who’d underestimated her worth as well as her passion for the job should kick himself. If I met the dude, I’d take care of that for her. As I drove, I was forced to face the fact I wasn’t tingling from the breeze wafting against my skin. I missed having her by my side.
And in my bed.
There was nothing I could do at this point.
Besides, she was safer if we kept our distance.
The GPS was right on the money, the mechanic’s shop only five miles from the house. I pulled into the parking lot, snorting as I noticed a half dozen expensive vehicles waiting to be serviced. Las Vegas was the kind of town you were either rich or poor. There was no in between. The fact Harlow had taken up residence in a shithole also pissed me off. Why should she be the one living in squalor?
At least I hadn’t noticed a single person taking interest in where she lived or following her as she’d gone about living her life. That had given me a small level of comfort.
I parked the bike, cutting the engine and remaining where I was as I studied the facility. The building was a far cry from the one where Harlow had gotten her car repaired. However, as with everything in life, looks could be deceiving.
After tossing my helmet, I headed toward the main office, waiting as two people in front of me admonished the young woman standing behind the counter. She was nervous, the tic on the corner of her mouth prevalent throughout the entire encounter she had with two men dressed in slick suits, watches that cost well over forty thousand each. My observation skills had become important in the last few days. They allowed me to establish a sense of what I was dealing with.
The first man left, the second immediately launching into her.
“I need my car now,” he demanded as he leaned over the counter.
“If you’ll give me your name, I’ll see if it’s ready.” She tried to smile as she shifted her gaze in my direction.
“Joe Esposito. You should know my name by now, sweetheart.” He grumbled under his breath as he waited, barely fifteen seconds later smashing his fist on the counter. “What’s taking so damn long?”
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m…”
“Just fucking hurry. I’m a busy man.”
