Chapter 19 #2
One look at Enzo’s face says he’s thinking the same thing. “I know you don’t want your Vi there, but even with your invitation, you won’t get in the door without her.”
I groan. “I know that. But even if she plays it how we want her to, I don’t need her in danger, I don’t need her going back.”
“Dude, you know you might have to.”
“So, we work fast, keep it limited.” I frown and start to hack The Dungeon, but he just shakes his head.
“You can get in,”
I don’t think Thomas keeps the juicy stuff there. If The Dungeon is his baby, I bet he’s that old-fashioned type to keep all his dark secrets in one place. And it’ll be there. Hidden on a different computer.”
We come up with a plan.
I need to get into the brain of the place and plant a router so Enzo can log in and see what Thomas has going on behind the scenes.
He holds it up. And it’s fucking small. “Got it this morning from Claire.” Another Syndicate member. “Put it in, and we’re hopefully golden.”
If we can figure out what highly illegal things Thomas is doing, then we’ll at the very least have a bargaining chip if things go to shit.
“It’s important you find something. Anything. I can’t search outside what he’ll get me to do, whatever that is. I might have to go back, so I don’t want to screw up my end by poking into the wrong area.”
If he asks me to do some things for him. I might have to try and find my way in.
With Vi.
Fuck.
Enzo grins. “Hey. You have nothing to worry about, bro. I’m a master at uncovering people’s dirty secrets.”
“From one master to another, I’m counting on you. And we need to work out an excuse for Vi not to go back to the Dungeon.”
“Your brother’s ex has a mind of her own.”
I glare at him for his deliberate provocation. “It’ll put her in danger.”
“Keep bringing it up, and it still won’t change a thing.
” He pats my back then rolls back to get his coffee.
“She’s stubborn like you said, and it’s up your alley and hers.
What’s the harm? You’ll be there, and she just might deflect some of Thomas’s attention from you.
She’s pretty enough. If she does that, then you might be able to do some extra digging. ”
“Fuck no,” I snarl. “There’s no way I’m using Vi as bait. And no one’s getting any kind of chance to put their slimy hands on her. That man’s a predator. I’m not letting her in his sights without mine fully on her.”
Enzo’s eyes gleam as he sips his coffee. “Who knew you could be so jealous?”
“Shut your mouth, or I’ll shut it for you.” I snatch up my coffee and take a vicious swallow.
My so-called friend laughs, putting up his hands to ward me off. “Okay, fine. I promise to be quiet. But…she won’t stop going. My theory is as much as you try to protect her, she’s doing the same to you.”
“Idiot.”
Enzo goes back to his computer. “And she wants to find that Gianna.”
I look at him. “What’s the latest on Ivan?”
I’m hoping dead in a ditch somewhere, but I don’t think it’s that sort of gone to ground. Like I’ve said before, he’s either hiding out somewhere in the embassy, or he’s back in Russia, hiding there.
For now.
Enzo shrugs. “I’ve got men hunting him down. They’ll find him sooner or later. But nothing right now.”
I nod, and I shift in my seat. I’d rather know where the asshole was. Last thing I need is a surprise attack. Again. “What about we reach out to your uncle? He’s got mafia ties.”
“We’ve got mafia ties.”
“You know what I mean, Enzo. He’s involved in a way that we aren’t.” I wait for his answer. To me, it’s a good idea.
However, not to Enzo. “I don’t know. He might be family, but Uncle Gino does nothing for free.”
It’s getting dark when Vi finally gets in through the door. I watched where she went, amused she ignored my suggestion of a specialty store that has all the outfits suitable for tonight.
She comes in with so many bags I don’t know how the fuck she got in or if the credit card I gave her this morning will ever recover.
I follow her, picking up the bags that drop as she walks into the bedroom.
“It’s one evening out, Vi. What the fuck?”
She spins to look at me, color painting her cheeks. “Unlike you, I’ve never been to a club like this. It’s important I get the right thing to wear.”
“So, you bought half of Manhattan?” I really don’t care, but I love giving her a hard time. “And I gave you the address of a place that was stuffed with the right outfits.”
Her mouth drops open. “And scar Lia for life? I don’t think so. Besides, I think that’s too…obvious. I have to be me. Or you could have dressed me.”
She’s fucking right, I could have done that. And I might, for a real evening out to a club.
But now I’m interested in what she has.
“Besides… Who knows how many times we’ll be going back.”
“No times. You’ll be going tonight plus no more times, got that?”
“We might need to.”
“It’s too dangerous, Vi.”
She slams a hand on her hip. “Thomas wanted me there.”
“I know exactly what Thomas wants, and he’s not getting it.”
She smiles and swoops in to hug me. “I like your little green monster. Hot.”
Then she dances off with half the bags to get ready.
I do the same, wearing one of the two suits I had made, this time I match it with a black shirt and tie. And I slide the router into a special compartment.
When she finally comes out, my mouth drops.
She looks fucking incredible.
Black lace corset. Micro mini. Red stilettos. Stockings. Smooth band of naked thigh.
I don’t think she’s wearing underwear, either.
I close the gap, ready to find out when she slaps me away.
“No,” she says, “Save it for the club.”
“The fucking club.”
My phone buzzes. Our car is downstairs and I help her into her long red coat.
Shit. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the evening with everyone looking at her.
Wanting to taste. Touch.
It’s going to be hell.