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Katia left us alone, and Arlo leaned over the gritty material of the exterior wall with his arms crossed. If Viktor had wanted to speak only to me, he would’ve come or contacted me when Arlo wasn’t around, but they always spoke freely around each other. We didn’t keep anything from one another, not when it involved the Moretti crime.
“How’s Sal?”
“Peachy,” I replied, thinking of the ill-tempered grump.
Arlo coughed his laugh.
“Anyway, I’ll be taking my vacation days in the department.” This caught my attention. “I’ll still be able to keep tabs and intel on my computer and such.”
“Are you going somewhere?” I asked, appalled.
“No. In my opinion, you need me here more.” I shook my head in disagreement. “I’m not asking, Lucca.”
“You could be compromised.” My voice raised with the absurdity of having Viktor working on the streets.
He smirked. “I won’t. Just hear me out.” I lowered my gaze. “Lucca.”
“Make it quick, Viktor,” I ushered through my teeth.
“Shipments will still arrive with no issues. I’ll still be working butfrom home.My shit is untraceable, and with the possibility of Tino Borelli in our streets, and threats growing, I am becoming a liability to keep showing up in the department in a suit with the pay of a mafioso.”
“Your money is offshore,” Arlo stated.
“The fact still remains, I’m not a secret within our syndicate.” He shrugged. “But…”
“What?” I asked impatiently.
“I’ve had a tail for two days.”Fuck!“It’s Borelli’s men. I found the recordings today and verified it myself.” He took a deep breath and continued, “One day, Iwillbe caught in a gunfire, and if I have my government-issued gun on me and shoot back at a known Mafia member that is in war and tied to the mess that is happening in Miami when I shouldn’t be involved or targeted, Iwillbe compromised.”
“A vacation?” Arlo murmured, his head already agreeing to our brother’s safety and position.
“You need Sergio and Rio on the streets, and who do you trust most to keep her safe?”
Viktor and I stared at each other.
Us.Him.
“Think about it. I’ll be here, watching over the target, while I help from the inside. No delays, no waiting until I’m alone, or chasing my ass for a reply. I will have everything live and ready to see their movements without any setbacks.”
It was a high risk.
“I risk more by showing up to my office with a tail. I’ll end up in jail or dead in a month.”
“Being here is a risk too.”
Viktor shrugged. “But it’s the one I’m willing to take.”
I watched him, and as I saw the possibility and the benefit of having Viktor home, I hesitated. He was keeping something. He’d prepositioned this new change with too much thought, almost rehearsed.
“What are you not saying?” I asked, and Arlo snapped his head at him as I continued, “I remember months back your mention of needing to keep a low profile. There were some new people around in your department sniffing. Is that it too?”
His jaw clenched, and my fingers numbed.
“Not in the way you are thinking.”
Irritation slithered inside, constricting my muscles, knowing hewaskeeping me in the dark.
“Then explain.” I seethed.
