Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
The phone stays at his ear, but his attention changes, sharpens.
“Mmm,” he hums, eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll call you back.”
He ends the call and pockets the phone.
I stand frozen in time, waiting for him to ask me why I’m here, but he doesn’t.
His mouth twitches. He looks amused. Glad I’m here to entertain him.
He starts down the stairs, one hand sliding along the banister.
“Who were you talking to?” I ask, stopping only a few feet away from him.
Lorenzo’s gaze drifts past me, then back. “Business.” He adjusts his watch.
“That’s not an answer,” I push, stepping closer. “That’s a word people use when they don’t want to tell you the truth.”
“Not true.”
“Whatever . . . I get it. Whatever you’re talking about, I’m sure it’s a crime.”
A faint smile cuts across his mouth, sharp and quick. “Crime is such an ugly word.” He clicks the clasp into place. “I prefer problem-solving.”
“You’re allergic to honesty,” I shoot back, pointing toward his phone with a small, furious flick of my hand. “Let me guess, someone annoyed your uncle?”
The moment the word uncle leaves my mouth, the air goes tighter.
Lorenzo’s eyes flicker with a warning light behind them.
“Careful.” He steps into my space. “You’re not allowed to say certain names in this house.”
I hold my ground even as my pulse does something traitorous.
“Why?” I whisper, forcing the question out through my teeth. “Because secrets make you feel powerful?”
His gaze slides over my face like he’s reading my thoughts and finding them boring.
“No,” he answers, voice dropping. “Because secrets keep people alive.”
For a second, it looks like he wants to say more, but then it’s gone.
I’m about to open my mouth and say something when the front door beneath us opens.
I move closer to the railing and peer down as Rafe steps inside. He doesn’t glance up at me right away. He clocks Lorenzo first, then his gaze drifts, and he catches my gaze.
Lorenzo starts heading toward the stairs, and I trail him.
This seems important, and I want to know . . . curiosity killed the cat after all.
Rafe pauses beside the console table, dropping a slim folder onto it.
“Movement again.” Rafe rolls his shoulders. “And it’s not subtle.”
Lorenzo makes his way over to where he is, and I follow closely.
Rafe’s gaze flicks toward me, then his gaze finds Lorenzo again. “We need to talk.”
“Sounds good. Can’t wait to hear.” I cut in, pointing at myself dramatically. “I give great advice. It’s kind of my thing now.”
Rafe’s mouth tightens as if he’s choosing between lying and dying. Lorenzo decides for him.
“Go back upstairs,” Lorenzo orders. “Now.”
My spine stiffens. “No.”
Lorenzo’s eyes lift. The silence that follows is a blade. Each second that follows is more deadly than the last.
“You want to hear?” Lorenzo asks, voice almost gentle. He takes one step closer. “Fine. Here’s the part you get to hear.”
He turns slightly, angling his body so Rafe can still speak without appearing to speak to me.
Rafe clears his throat, voice lower. “One of our secondary routes got hit.”
Lorenzo continues to watch me even though I’m not part of the conversation. “And?” he asks.
Rafe flips the folder open, thumb pinning down a sheet as he speaks. “We traced Doyle back to a building on the outskirts of town.”
“We got eyes on it?”
“Yep.”
Lorenzo exhales slowly. “Good. I want to know everything before we attack. No surprises.”
My stomach turns, not because of the words, but because of how casually they sit in his mouth.
Rafe keeps going, voice careful. “We’ve also got the name of the guy who’s acting as the bridge between Gallagher and Doyle. If we pick him up, we can squeeze him for more details. Maybe we can find out where he lives. Hit him where it really hurts.”
Lorenzo’s gaze doesn’t leave my face. “Good. Get me everything before we act.”
Rafe’s mouth twitches like he wants to smile. “On it.”
Lorenzo’s eyes narrow slightly. “Also, once you grab him, I want to question him.”
Rafe nods once, then hesitates. “That could be a problem.”
“How so?” Lorenzo tips his head back.
Rafe gestures with the papers. “If we move on him tonight, we risk drawing attention.”
Lorenzo’s laugh is quiet. “Attention from who? Let them find out. I have zero fucks to give.”
“Good to know. And your uncle?”
At the mention of his uncle, Lorenzo’s back stiffens. I can’t figure that one out. From what I’ve heard, he loves his cousin, but for some reason, he’s scared of his uncle.
“I’ll handle it,” he answers.
Rafe nods quickly, relief flickering. “Got it.”
I step forward, anger rushing up like a wave I can’t stop. “What does that even mean?”
Lorenzo’s eyes slide back to me, expression bland. “It means you’re about to go upstairs.”
“No,” I snap, voice cracking with a fury I refuse to apologize for. “I want to know what’s going to happen. I’m sick of you hiding things.”