Chapter 19
Kincaid.
“Gentlemen.” I stood and greeted Saulo and Kafi as they entered my office. It was an unexpected visit, meaning there had to be a concern. A number of issues could have brought them to my door, but I assumed O’Neal was the reason.
“Good to see you, Kincaid. I hope all is well.” Kafi offered his hand and initiated a hug after we shook.
Saulo offered a similar greeting before we shook and both men sat in front of my desk.
At the same time, I returned to my position behind it, extending both arms to adjust the comfort of my suit jacket before I allowed my hands to rest comfortably in my lap.
“To what do I owe the honor?”
Saulo cleared his throat before he straightened his posture. “We have come across some information regarding your father.”
My brows inched in closer as my regard moved between both men.
Much like myself, The Families were still investigating all avenues in an attempt to find out who was behind the shooting.
Unfortunately, I had come up empty, so I prayed they were more successful.
It was unsettling that I wasn’t able to put an end to the person who cost my father his life.
“You know who was behind it?”
“Regretfully, no.”
“So, why are you here?” What the fuck was the point of being here if there were no new leads?
“We don’t have any firm evidence, but we’ve recently come across information that leads us to believe that Kaber was involved.”
I snorted at the name. I was fucking positive he was involved, but I also had enough sense to know he wasn’t the one who put in the order.
Kaber was a fucking coward. The type to throw a rock and hide his hand.
This was bigger than him, but he knew something.
My only regret was that someone got to him before I could.
“A lot of good that’s going to do any of us. There’s no doubt in my mind that he played a role in what happened, but as I’m sure you both know, he wouldn’t have the balls to do it himself. So if you’re not here to tell me you know who actually pulled the trigger, then you can leave.”
My expression was stern. As much as I respected them both, the topic of my father wasn’t one I cared to discuss.
A man as protected as he was shouldn’t have been so easy to reach.
The thought plagued me daily, especially now, considering that I not only had myself to consider, but also Nari and our son.
“We haven’t been able to find the persons responsible, and we likely never will.
Kaber’s desperation behind his pending status caused him to make some lethal alliances.
We have pictures of him parked outside the restaurant the day it happened.
He pulled away seconds before your father and Razi ended their meeting and stepped outside.
We also have photos of him days before, meeting with two men we believe to be responsible for the shooting.
Their faces were concealed as they entered one of his warehouses.
Similar photos of those two men were captured of them exiting the building across from the restaurant and also leaving Kaber’s home the night of the shooting, the night he was found dead.
Again, their faces were concealed. They knew the exact angle of the cameras.
Based on the build and movement of the bodies, we determined they were the same men in all of the footage.
Unfortunately, there’s no way of identifying who they are.
We can only assume it’s one of the many bad alliances Kaber made due to his desperation after you ended the deal with him.
He made many promises that he could not follow through on. ”
“Again, what’s the point in bringing this to me if there is no resolution?”
“The same way we got our hands on the footage, we knew it was only a matter of time before you did. Whoever was behind this put a lot of effort into concealing their identities. It’s taken some time for us to get a hold of what little we have, but it still leaves us with no answers, only a long list of people who would have placed a target on your father’s back because of the money that was promised. ”
“My father didn’t owe anybody a damn thing!” I roared, feeling frustrated about my hands being tied behind this situation.
“He did not, but Kaber would have made it appear that he did. We have no way of knowing the conversations he had on your father’s behalf, but I’m willing to bet that he commissioned the death of Yusuf, and they killed Kaber as well to cover their own tracks.”
“Then I go down that list until I get to the right person.”
“And do what? Put yourself in a situation that places not only us but also you and your family at risk. Be smart, Kincaid. You are only one man.”
“Who fears no one and nothing.”
“Not even the loss of more lives of those you love, like your wife and son? Is retribution worth that much to you? Are you willing to take that risk because if your father could, he would tell you to leave it alone? Live your life.”
“But he’s not fucking here, is he?”
“He knew the risks the same as you. All I’m asking is that you consider the weight of the decisions you have to make.” Kafi’s regard landed on me, further expressing his feelings on the matter with a stern look.
“Is that your way of demanding that I leave this alone?” I leaned back, massaging my chin, watching them both silently warring with what they wanted and what they knew I deserved.
“It’s our way of saying your plate is full and you need to focus on what you can currently control.”
I didn’t respond, but they knew I wouldn’t. I refused to make a promise I wasn’t positive I could keep. I also understood I couldn’t play vigilante without creating consequences beyond my ability to keep confined.
“Is that all?”
Saulo nodded. He was the first to stand, followed by Kafi. “It was a great loss for us all. Do not for one minute think we don’t understand the magnitude of your loss, Kincaid.”
“As much as you feel you do, you never will. Send me what you have. It’s the least you can do.” I looked between the two men, making sure there was no option for them to deny my request.
“You will have it within the hour. Please send our regards to your mother,” Kafi stated before both men left my office. Saulo paused at the door, turning to face me one last time.
“I would assume you will be expediting the matter of finding a replacement for O’Neal?” I could sense from his tone he had some idea that I played a role in handing him over to Medina.
“Someone will be in place no later than the end of the month. Until then, I will be the point of contact.”
“Bien (Good), and Manchester?”
“What about him?”
“I assume his replacement will be expedited as well. His services, although minimal in the scope of things, are still very relevant to our needs.”
“His services aren’t invaluable.”
“I agree, which means, should it be deemed necessary, you won’t have any issues finding someone to fill the void.”
I frowned but didn’t respond. Saulo’s expression conveyed his thoughts, but it wasn’t appropriate for him to actually deliver a verbal confirmation.
“It was good to see you, Kincaid,” was the last thing he said before leaving.
Saulo wasn’t able to hand over the name of the person who took my father’s life, so he was offering me a pass with Manchester.
At this point, he was still breathing, but my guess was they all knew that wouldn’t be for long.
Not that I needed their approval or remotely cared what they thought, but I did appreciate the effort.
An hour after they left, I received a call from Nari asking if she could come by when she finished her meeting with Nathan.
As fucked up as my mood had been since Saulo and Kafi left, I knew a visit from her would help with the frustration that had been building since it was confirmed I would likely never know who was behind my father’s shooting.
It was in my nature to protect and solve problems others wouldn’t otherwise be capable of solving, so to be lost with no options weighed heavily on me.
As soon as she stepped into the office, Nari had my attention.
She was dressed in designer sneakers and a black cotton dress that hugged her body, exposing her curves and stomach.
It was still small and round and only visible from the front view, but it was enough to put a smile on my face.
As she approached me, I smiled, leaning back until she stopped between my widespread legs.
“This is a welcomed surprise.”
She grinned as I extended a hand and placed it on her stomach.
“It can’t be classified as a surprise since I called to tell you I was coming.”
“I wasn’t speaking of the visit itself but more so how quickly you were able to turn my day around.”
The second I looked past her toward the door, she rolled her eyes. “Your assigned handlers are accounted for. Conner’s with the truck and Floyd is out there standing guard.”
I chuckled at how quickly she read my reaction. “How did it go with Nathan?” I pulled her down until she was forced to get comfortable on one of my thighs, and she took it a step further and leaned into my chest with her shoulder.
“Good. I’m officially trademarked. He received the final paperwork this morning.”
“Congratulations. I’m extremely proud of you.”
“Thank you. I will meet Annalise tomorrow. We have several properties to view, but I think I’ve already decided on the one I want. I’d like for you to go if you can.”
“I’ll make time.”
“Now, let’s discuss what has your mood so tragically misaligned.”
I snorted, feeling my mood shifting again.
I didn’t want to travel down that road. Having Nari here was supposed to take my mind off my current issues.
“I’d rather discuss you.” I moved her face closer to steal a kiss, which she granted before revisiting the topic.
She wouldn’t let me off the hook as easily as I’d hoped.
“No diversion. Tell me who I need to see.”