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“Fuck off,” I say, yet don’t deny my feelings.
“Fine. I will chat to Doc, and I’ll let you know.” I smile before I look at Sebastian, and then my smile fades.
“She is our fucking lawyer, so be very fucking careful,” he says in warning.
“She is good at her job.” I crack my knuckles, not liking the focus on what Emilia and I are because I am not putting a label on us yet.
“I know. She may be here for this project, but if she is as good as I think she is, then we might want to keep her. Don’t fuck it up.” I nod, letting him know I understand the ramifications.
Because I do. Our mob business is everything, but Emilia is becoming a very close second.
26
NICO
Sebastian and I walk into Esquire, one of our strip clubs. It is one of our less legitimate businesses and a fantastic place for a private meeting. We nod to the security boys at the front door and make our way straight through the main bar.
It is busy tonight. The noise of glasses and ice behind the bar mixes in with the loud music, the atmosphere energetic. Unusually so for mid-week. I look at the line at the bar, then walk past the scantily clad women on the poles, who are doing a roaring trade if the dollar bills at their feet are anything to go by.
I watch them for a beat, their bodies twisting and turning. They are good at their job. Fit, strong, and talented. Obviously easy on the eye, because every man in here is looking right at them. But my eyes glaze over, my mind only on one woman. Who is snoring at home. She has been in my bed for over a month now, and I have no plan on her being anywhere else.
The music turns into a dull thud as we walk out the back, into the offices to meet our man. Rory is a guy in his mid-forties. Married, with a couple of kids, he has been in the NYPD for decades. He has worked his way up the ranks over the years after being recruited straight out of school, and now is one of their senior detectives. He followed his father’s footsteps into the police force, just as his father followed his father. His historical commitment to serve and protect is comical since he has been our main informer and insider for nearly ten years now.
“Rory,” Sebastian says, shaking his hand as we see him already in the office, sitting in the soft leather armchair.
“Boys.” He stands, taking Sebastian's hand, then mine in a confident shake.
“How’s Elaine and the kids?” Sebastian asks.
“Good, Sebastian. Little Tommy got onto the baseball team, so he is excited,” Rory says with a grin, clearly a doting dad any other time when not dealing with the mob.
“We will make a donation to the team for the season, Rory. Make sure they have enough money for equipment and things,” I tell him, offering our support.
“Thanks, Nico. I appreciate it.” He nods as his lips thin. No man likes asking for help, but we know his kids go to a shitty school, so they probably do need more than he’s able to provide.
“So what’s happening?” Rory asks, as we all take a seat.
“The usual. Tell me, where are you boys looking for Brian Cole?” Rory doesn't know we have him, but probably assumes we do.
“Well, every lead we have has run dry. We are scaling back our investigation. The assumption is he has fled the country. Which was always a strong possibility,” Rory says, looking at Sebastian and I, neither of us giving him any indication we know anything different.
“What country?” I push him, wanting to know everything they are doing.
“We think China, but Russia is not out of the question. Of course, we don’t want him bad enough to go pushing diplomatic lines. The tension we have with both those countries is not worth enhancing with our need to capture a white-collar criminal such as Cole.”
“I need you to keep us informed of anything you find,” Sebastian says.
“Of course, Sebastian,” Rory says, nodding as I pour us all a glass of whiskey and slide one across the desk to him.
“The Police Chief is closing the cases for Old Doctor Wakeford and Daniel Cole this week too. Everything has officially wrapped up, and it is confirmed as a burglary gone wrong,” Rory confirms what we already hoped.
“Good,” Sebastian says, nodding.
“I need you to look into something else for me,” I say, and Sebastian’s head whips to meet mine from where he is sitting at his desk.
Looking at him, he raises his eyebrow in question. This is not something I have discussed with him yet.
“Sure, what do you need?” Rory asks as he sits back in the leather armchair, looking comfortable and relaxed.
