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“Now listen here-”
“Oh, I remember,” Sam interrupted again. “It was all about family values, wasn’t it? And you’re up for reelection next year, aren’t you? I have to wonder how the voters of Davinapolis would react if they saw these photos.”
“You son of a bitch.”
“No need for insults,” Alek said in a voice that was calm but cold. “We’re not planning to distribute the pictures. Consider it a favor among friends.”
Garrett’s eyes locked onto Alek, and Sam could practically see his mind racing, running through the options. But he didn’t really have any unless he wanted to risk everything.
He gritted his teeth, glaring at them. “Fine,” he snapped. “I’ll drop the charges. It’s too late in the day to get it done today, but I’ll handle it tomorrow.”
Alek nodded. “One more thing. I want to know who ratted him out to the police.”
Garrett hesitated, but he knew that he had to give them what they wanted. “It was a low-level dealer that goes by the name of Ripper.”
“I know him,” Sam told Alek.
“Then, I guess we’re done here,” Alek said, rising.
They left the office, letting the DA keep the folder with his photos. They had copies.
Satisfied that they accomplished what they needed to, they headed to their separate cars in the parking lot. Just before they parted ways, Alek turned to him.
“You did good on this. I won’t forget it,” Alek said. “Now, I need you to coordinate with Roman and pay a visit to Vic Harlan tomorrow night. He wants to discuss a business opportunity. Report back to me.”
Sam kept his face neutral as he agreed but internally, he was dreading it. Roman was another Brigadier, and they didn’t always get along. Sam found him to be a little too rough around the edges, coming off as moody. They’d butted heads a few times over the years until they came to an unspoken agreement to avoid each other as much as possible.
But neither of them could go against what the Pakhan ordered them to do.
Vic Harlan owned the biggest nightclub in Davinapolis, which was impressive in a city this size. The Bratva had a business relationship with Vic, so this meeting would probably be advantageous in some way. He’d suck it up and get through it.
Leaving the DA’s office, he headed home, stopping to pick up a pizza along the way. He had no idea what Lexi liked but figured that pepperoni was a safe bet. Who didn’t like that?
Everything was quiet in the apartment when he arrived. Placing the pizza box on the kitchen counter, he headed straight for his wrecked bedroom. Lexi should have heard him come in, but she didn’t call out to him even as he unlocked the door. When he pushed it open, he realized why.
She was laying in bed, curled up on her side and sound asleep. He thought about this morning, when he’d left her in the bed like this. It was hard to believe that less than twelve hours had passed since then. Everything had changed, and he couldn’t deny to himself that he felt guilty for keeping her confined like this.
Sam had done some bad things. He’d hurt people, even killed when absolutely necessary to protect the Bratva. But never someone innocent like Lexi. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it was his fault.
Sighing, he walked into the room and leaned over the bed, giving her shoulder a shake. She didn’t stir. Her breathing stayed deep and even, and he had the most ridiculous urge to get into bed with her, to wrap his arms around her the way he did last night.
Instead, he brushed a strand of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. She smiled slightly as she leaned her face into my hand. Then, she opened her eyes. For a second, she looked relaxed and happy.
But he saw the moment when it all came back to her. Anger and disappointment flashed across her face, and Sam pulled back with a sigh.
Lexi sat up and looked around, blinking. He saw her shoulders slump and had the irresistible urge to make her feel better.
“I got us pizza. Come on.”
“You’re letting me leave the room?”
“I’m here. I think I can keep an eye on you.”
“Thank God.” She got up and stretched her arms over her head. “I’ve been bored to tears here.”
“Let’s watch some TV.”
Lexi didn’t say anything as she followed him into the living room, but he took the fact that she wasn’t lashing out at him as a win. He was getting tired of fighting with her.
