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“You own fifty percent of a security firm, and you don’t even check to see who’s at the door before inviting them in?”
I whirl around with wide eyes and stare at a man I haven’t seen since we were kids. My cousin grins.
“What are… Are you… I can’t…” I shake my head to clear it and then close the distance between us and throw my arms around his neck. “Damn, man, it’s been a long time.”
Malachi hugs me back, both of us holding on tight. After what some would probably deem too long, I slap him on the back and step away.
“What are you doing here?”
“Do I need a reason to pop in and see you?”
“Nothing about this is you just popping in,” I deadpan. “You live in New Jersey for fuck’s sake.”
“So?”
“So, you’re here in Seattle.”
Malachi follows me into the kitchen. I grab two tumblers and the bottle of whiskey from the cupboard. After pouring both of us a drink, I slide his across the island to him and down mine in one gulp.
“So?” I prod as I pour myself another. “It’s not a difficult question, man. What brings you here?”
He heaves a sigh. “The answer is a little more difficult than the question itself.”
“Well that’s cryptic as fuck.”
Malachi’s expression darkens. “We need you to come back to Atlantic City.”
Before I can react or respond, his cell phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket and taps the screen to answer it on speakerphone.
“Is he coming back with you?” Harlow asks before Malachi can say a word.
“Hecan hear you, Harlow,” I bite out, although I’m not mad. I like Harlow’s no-nonsense attitude and have since the first time we spoke.
“Good. Then listen closely,” she snaps. “You’re gonna pack some shit and come back with Malachi. You’re needed here, not holed up in your penthouse apartment with your ass parked in front of your computers.”
Malachi coughs, but he fails to hide his laugh.
“What’s so funny?” she demands.
“Nothing,bella,” Malachi soothes. “It’s just, Nico hasn’t exactly said no.”
“I haven’t said yes either,” I remind him.
“You will,” Harlow insists. “Once you have all the facts, you won’t be able to stay away.”
“You’re awfully sure of—” My brain registers all her words. “Wait, what facts?”
I stare at Malachi, and he stares at the phone. When Harlow doesn’t explain, my cousin lifts his gaze to me and sighs. “He’s back.”
I clench my jaw at that bit of information. “How do you know?”
“Because all the signs point to Nicholi being in Atlantic City and picking up right where thefamilyleft off.”
“What signs?”
“People are disappearing off the streets, several bodies have turned up.”
“That’s not unique to Nicholi.”
