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“Yes.” It was a lie, and if Oz was listening and watching closely, he’d see it.
Oz swirled his whiskey in his glass, prolonging the silence in the room, all the while keeping his gaze locked on Trey.
“Is this the same Dahlia who worked for Manny a few weeks ago? That you got fired?”
Shit! He should’ve known, and Nash had warned him. Oz knew everything. Trey steeled his features, giving nothing away. Any slight change in position or demeanor would be a tell-tale sign, and Oz would pick up on it. No one knew Trey better than the two men seated across from him.
“What the fuck is he talking about?” Rogue asked, eyeing Trey.
It would have been a smarter move on Trey’s part to have given Rogue full disclosure when it came to Dahlia. But he hadn’t.
“Trey didn’t tell you?” Oz looked between both men. “He neglected to mention it to me also. However, Manny shared quite the story.”
“Is that why you hired her? ’Cause you got her fired?” Rogue clearly didn’t have all the information.
Oz smiled. “No, Dahlia was hired by Trey personally, from what I understand. She declined the position and got a job working for Manny. Ironically, Trey gets her fired, and conveniently, she starts work at the Bowery a few days later.”
Oz knew everything.
“And this incident? Tell me, Trey, why use my men?” Oz cocked his head. “Noelle, I understand, which was a nice touch, by the way. A little outside of your wheelhouse. As I recall, you tend to keep all women out of harm’s way. Not this one, though. Belinda Wright? Dahlia’s former roommate, correct?”
Goddammit!
Trey remained silent, calculating his response. There was no room for error or mishaps when divulging information to Oz.
“They were there, and Trey’s guys were working on another job,” Rogue said, taking Trey’s back.
Oz turned to Rogue. “Yours were available. But I guess had Trey taken them, there’d be no one left to protect her. Instead, your security stayed back.” Oz’s gaze hardened. “And so did you, which I found particularly interesting since you’ve never stepped down from a fight in your life. But you had a more important job, didn’t you, Rogue? Gentlemen, I feel a bit left out. It seems I’m the only man in the room who hasn’t had the pleasure of meeting Dahlia Carter. I will say, I’m intrigued.”
The silence was deafening. Even Rogue, who always had something to say, was quiet. Trey had no idea where Oz was going with this. Usually, he could read through his words, but he was drawing a complete blank with the direction of this conversation.
“Now, for your request, Trey. Ben Crosby.” Oz arched his brow. “Interesting reading.”
Fuck! Trey glanced up at Nash, who remained silent and tight-lipped. It was best to play it off.
Trey settled back in his seat. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes, a rather large one, Trey. He’s an informant.” Oz arched his brow, sipping his drink.
Trey drew in a breath, keeping his eyes on Oz and not giving any indication he’d been surprised. However, Trey hadn’t seen this coming and knew it was a roadblock in his desire for revenge. The Underground, while notorious, valued their safety and rarely took unnecessary risks that would put them on the radar of the authorities. It was a smart, responsible move on their end. It’s what kept them safe.
But…
“Who the fuck is Ben Crosby?” Rogue asked.
Oz smirked, staring back at Trey.
“The man who killed Dahlia Carter’s father eight years ago.”
Trey felt the weight of Rogue’s stare but kept his eyes on Oz. His next statement would speak volumes. Trey said it anyway.
“I want him,” Trey said.
Nash sighed. “He has eyes on him, Trey. Getting to him means taking a risk.”
“Then we take the fucking risk, Nash,” Rogue said, then narrowed his gaze. “Know your fucking place! You may be Oz’s second, but there are only three kings, and you ain’t one of them.”
“Rogue.” Oz’s tone was chilling.
