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Sighing, partly because I hate taking my eyes off her, and partly because I’d like to go up to bed too, I nod.
Rowan takes me through the foyer, to a hall that leads to the kitchen. Sitting in the breakfast nook, dressed in a tailored suit that looks too stiff for such a casual place, is a dark-haired man.
I instantly recognize him. Now I understand why Rowan made me swear to a truce when he brought me here.
The man inclines his head and grins. “Hello, Gavin. I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. My name is Gideon Black.”
Rowan’s plan to help me regain control of the casino is none other than his brother. The Ferryman.
“Traitor,” I hiss at Rowan and lunge for him. Before I can reach him, I’m tackled by two men I hadn’t noticed. They pin me to the floor, each holding one of my arms.
“I’m not a traitor, Gavin.” He lifts his hands, palms down, in a placating manner. “And you swore you’d hear me out.”
“Gideon is the one that attacked my club!”
“Are you so sure about that?” Gideon is watching me with clear amusement in his silver eyes. Damn, now that I have both him and Rowan in the room, I can really tell they’re brothers.
His words suddenly penetrate the rage of betrayal that’s clouded my brain. Am I sure that it was Gideon? Or have I simply assumed it because it was the most plausible explanation.
“I saw your picture,” I accuse. “You were across the street.”
“But was I in your building?”
No, he wasn’t.
“Think, Gav-Gav. Who else could possibly want something from you that’s had access recently.”
I do think. And hard. “Johnny Rusk.”
He shakes his head. “Try again.”
I grind my teeth. He’s enjoying making me guess. I’m about to tell him to fuck off when it hits me. “Marco Tadesco.”
“Bingo!” Gideon winks. “It seems at my level of infamy; I don’t need to lift a finger. The copycats do all the work for me. First, it was Tony Sinacore being taken out by his uncle, a la Ferryman. Then, it was Renzo Gianni offed by Noah. Did you know that wasn’t Scar’s handiwork either? I mean, she was going to kill him, but still…”
“Gianni business isn’t my business,” I say. But yes, I knew Noah was the one that killed his cousin.
I turn to Rowan. “Luca was right not to trust you. Guess he knew in the end you’d switch sides.”
“Until today, I hadn’t. I’d only decided to protect my brother.” A small smile paints across his lips. “Luca has been spying on me. He’s got men posted all around Boston. I wanted to be there for the alliance, but Luca isn’t holding his end of the deal. You were there for him. He’s not there for you.”
“Now that we know where we stand, shall we chat?” Gideon indicates the chair across from him.
I’m released, but I still shrug off the feeling of the men’s meaty hands on me. I scan the room for the first time, noticing that the guards that held me down aren’t the only ones. There are at least five others in the kitchen with us. And just outside the window, I spot three more.
Of course, I should have expected the house to be secured. But out of everyone I expect to see, there is one person missing.
“Where’s your sidekick?” I ask Gideon.
“My sidekick?” he asks, amused.
“Scarlet.”
“Ah. She’s on an assignment. But I’ll tell her you send your regards.”
“Please do,” I reply sarcastically. The female assassin could be in burning in Hell for all I care.
Begrudgingly, I sit with the man I’ve considered an enemy for months. Rowan joins us.
