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“Hm. I know this isn’t a world you know or understand, but beneath all the drugs and guns and criminal activity and bullshit, Pastore conducts business just like lawyers and stockbrokers and accountants do. Meetings, boardrooms, agreements, handshakes. It’s all the same, once you break it down, but instead of trading stocks, Pastore trades women and coke. Instead of buying property, Malone negotiates turf. So tonight…” I lift a single shoulder and drop it in a shrug. “We go back to the table to discuss new terms.”
“Okay…” she panders. “But if no one can come to an agreement, are you shaking hands? Or are you shooting someone?”
“I hope not to shoot anyone,” I snicker. “I’m an officer of the law, Minka. It would be immoral for me to commit a crime tonight.”
“And yet, you’re attending the home of a known cartel leader—without an invitation, mind you. You intend to discuss criminal activity with the aid of intimidation and threats, and when it’s all done, you hope to collect your brother… who was taken against his will and tortured. Correct?”
“Well…” I peer across to Tim. “Technically, I suppose. What are you doing right now?”
She snorts. “Nice change of subject, Malone. I’m in the car and heading out to dinner. Since my husband refuses to be at home this week, I’ve decided to go out and eat. Might even have a glass of wine and flirt with whoever steps forward to say hello.”
“Hmm…” A slow grumble rolls forward. “I know you’re baiting me, because you’re angry I left. Instead, I’m going to ignore your obvious attempt at eliciting a negative response, and wish you a happy evening. Make sure you eat lots of protein and carbs. Don’t drink too much, because I’m not there to take care of you. Is Fletch going out too?”
“No.” I hear the smile in her voice. “It’s a girls thing. But if tonight gets a little out of control, do you suggest I call the local police and ask for assistance?”
“You’re trying to make me cranky,” I grumble. “I see you, Mayet. I see what you’re doing.”
“Had you been home this week andnotsneaking off to New York without telling me, we wouldn’t need to have this conversation. How’s your shoulder?”
I glance down and consider. “Decent. Still tweaks if I move it too fast.”
“Bruising?”
“Going down. No meds required. And Felix says he’s really sorry for shooting me.”
“I didn’t shoot you, asshole.” Extending his leg, he kicks my knee and elicits a hiss in response. “I was responsible for you getting shot. But I didn’t do the shooting.”
“Right,” Minka drawls in my ear. “Because that’s much better. If things get wild where you’re going tonight and you happen to shoot someone, can you ‘accidentally’ make that someone Felix? Tell him you’re sorry at the end, but don’t actually mean it.”
“It’s tempting,” I laugh. “He’s been so fucking annoying the whole time I’ve been here. Where are you going to dinner tonight?”
“Somewhere new,” she answers easily. “I haven’t been there before. I hope the food is good, because I’m starving.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Whatever the hell I want, you nasty perv.” On her end of the call, she mumbles a hurriedthanks, then back to me. “I’m wearing a dress, actually. Heels too.”
“Mmm.” I turn to the side again and look out the window into the darkness. “Have two drinks,” I whisper. “Get just tipsy enough. Then call me. I’ll talk you through something kinda fun.”
“Two minutes out,” Felix grumbles. “Wrap it up, Arch.”
For just a moment, I got to feel my cock swell in my pants. I was able to think of Minka and sex and have an enjoyable phone call I would have preferred to have taken in private. But now it’s all gone. Washed away so all I see in my mind ishim. “Did you hear that?”
“I did. You have to go.” Exhaling, her breathing changes as she moves her phone from one ear to the other. “He’s the worst. And now you’re going to do something I don’t agree with.”
“It’s gotta be done.” Knowing I need to hang up, I feel my heart race and my stomach jolt with nerves. “We can’t leave him in there, Minka. And I can’t leave New York with Pastore thinking he can fuck with my family. So this is the only option we have. We’ll be quick,” I assure her. “In and out. We’ll get Micah and leave, and I’ll call you as soon as we’re back at the house.”
“You promise?” Her voice crackles with emotion. “You’re gonna be fast and safe?”
“As fast and safe as I can be.”
“One minute,” Felix inserts. “Finish it, Arch.”
“Babe—”
“You’ve gotta go,” she sighs. “I’m heading out to do my thing now too, but I won’t be able to relax till I know what happened. So call me, okay? The sooner you do, the sooner I’ll be able to eat something.”
“As soon as I can,” I promise. “I love you.”
