Between Steel and Secrets (Crimson Ice #5)

Chapter 1

One

Harper

Stepping inside a police station in Breckenridge wasn’t what I had planned for today. But plans change, especially when evidence finds its way into my hands.

That evidence: a stuffed dragon that’s been torn and stabbed with some type of weapon, likely a knife.

While it’s identical to Zeke’s favorite stuffed toy, there’s some solace in knowing it’s not his.

The male officer behind the desk is in his mid-fifties. His eyes meet Zeke’s, and he gives a warm, friendly smile to my son. He offers me a polite nod. “Can I help you?”

“I’m here to report a kidnapping.”

He glances at my son.

“Not him. He’s mine. This is about another little boy, Rylan Matthews.”

His eyes widen slightly.

That name hasn’t been on the news in months, but it made a lot of headlines when he and his family were presumed deceased after an explosion.

“Have a seat. Someone will be out with you shortly.”

Five minutes turns to ten, and a gentleman in black slacks and a white dress shirt approaches us. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

“I’m honestly hesitant to give it,” I say, glancing the man over.

“Zeke.” My little one smiles, offering up his name.

Well, shit.

Bringing Zeke may not have been the best plan. The kid might actually tell everyone what I did. And that’s assuming I go back home. Well, to the Ricci’s home.

My stomach tumbles.

If I don’t go home, Luca will be concerned, and since I have his car…

“I’m not sure I thought all this through.” I stand, and the gentleman offers me a warm smile. He puts a reassuring hand on my arm. “How about we walk and talk? There’s a play area that we could let Zeke explore, and we can sit and chat for a few minutes.”

Sighing, I nod. “Okay, yeah.”

He ushers me back through the bullpen and to the right, into a small area with a child-sized table and chairs, along with two stacks of toys against the wall.

Zeke eagerly goes to explore while the man gestures for me to take a seat on one of the adult chairs nearby.

“I’m Detective Morales,” he says.

I force a smile. “This isn’t easy, me coming to you.”

“I’m sure.” The detective smiles warmly and holds up a finger as he grabs a pen and a notepad from a nearby desk.

“You mentioned the name Rylan Matthews earlier, to our officer at the front desk. Rylan is the little boy who died in the house explosion back last winter. But you don’t believe he’s dead. You mentioned a kidnapping.”

I show the detective the gray dragon I had been clutching under my arm. It wasn’t entirely hidden from sight, but he glances it over curiously.

“This may have belonged to the little boy. I saw him, the night before the explosion. He was being held by some very … dangerous men. The mafia.”

His gaze tightens as he glances at me then the stuffed animal. He closes the notebook and grimaces. “Did you know the Matthews family personally?”

“No,” I whisper, frowning.

“The little boy, his family, their remains were all found in the fire. Unless you have actual evidence that the child is alive…” his voice trails off.

“This belonged to him. I’m sure of it.” I show him the dragon again. “Why else would a grown man keep it in his office?”

He’s silent, glancing at the stuffed dragon, unconvinced. He shifts in his seat. “What can you tell me about this mafia family that you spoke of earlier?”

Exhaling heavily, I bite down on my bottom lip. “The don is Dante Ricci.”

Morales’ gaze tightens and his face goes numb.

He’s heard the name before. There’s definite recognition that flashes across his features.

“How do you know Mr. Ricci?” the detective asks.

My gaze turns to my son. “Does it matter?” I rub the back of my neck, my skin prickling like tiny needles, anxiety creeping over me.

“Go home. Forget you ever met or heard of this Dante character and leave well enough alone. Men like him are dangerous.”

“Great,” I mutter, standing and taking the stuffed dragon with me. “Tell me something I don’t know. Come on, buddy.” I hurry over to Zeke and take his hand, letting him know it’s time to go.

On my way out of the police station, I head toward Luca’s car, when a woman comes barreling outside. “Miss!” She chases after me, slightly out of breath.

Did I leave something behind? I glance back at her as I’m putting Zeke into his car seat. I manage to buckle him in without much protest.

The brunette is about my age, maybe a few years older, wearing a pencil skirt and blouse. Running in that outfit and those heels takes courage and stamina. I turn around to face her, but my back is to Zeke, keeping myself between him and the stranger.

She hands me a business card. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I overheard you mention the Riccis, and it’s not exactly a secret who they are if you’ve lived in Breckenridge your entire life.”

I glance at the name on the card: Eagle Tactical.

“Eagle Tactical?” I repeat, unfamiliar with the company.

“My father runs a private investigation service in town. They do all sorts of private security work, but they’re your best bet. I can assure you they aren’t lining their pockets with Don Dante’s money. You might consider reaching out to them.”

I press my lips together and pocket the card. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Her blue eyes shine and she laughs. “Ma’am?” Her nose crinkles. “I’m not anywhere near thirty yet!”

Embarrassment floods my cheeks.

“I’m Izzie, by the way.” She holds out her hand to properly introduce herself.

“Harper.” I take her hand and give it a firm shake. “Thank you for the business card. I’ll reach out to your father.”

Izzie smiles. “Stay safe. You and your little boy.”

“Mama, I’m bored.” Zeke kicks his legs from inside the car seat. At least I managed to get him buckled this time.

He’s stolen my attention, and I lean in, planting him with kisses before I shut the back door.

“Thank you again.” I turn back, and Izzie is already gone, wandering to her blue sedan a few spaces over in the lot.

I take Zeke to the park, as promised, and then grab ice cream for him on the way back. I hide the stuffed dragon under the front seat in the car. Hopefully, no one goes looking for it.

Heading back to Dante’s isn’t exactly sitting right with me, but I can’t not show up; Luca will be worried.

As I approach the main entrance, there is a guard standing at the security post. Recognizing me, he opens the gate and allows us inside. I’ve seen him a few times wandering the property, but I don’t exactly know his name.

There are a lot of Dante’s men who roam the property, most of them familiar only at a glance. I couldn’t name all the men who work for him.

Parking the car where I borrowed it, I step out and open the back door, helping Zeke out of his car seat.

The front door flings open, and I glance up to see Dante storming outside.

His face is red, his brow furrowed. His posture and the way he holds himself, he’s definitely pissed.

“Search the car!” he commands his men.

Two men follow behind him and open the passenger door.

“What are you looking for?” I ask, helping Zeke from the backseat and carrying him inside. He’s messy from the chocolate ice cream cone, and he looks to be wearing more than he ate.

Dante’s gaze tightens on me.

He doesn’t answer.

“We went to the park and to get ice cream.”

“You didn’t stop anyplace else on the way?” Dante’s tone drips with venom, and I try not to let my breath shake.

Zeke starts making siren sounds with his mouth.

Dante raises an eyebrow. “What’s that, Zeke?”

His siren sounds grow louder. “We saw police cars.”

I force a smile. “Yes, that’s right. There were police cars on the way.” I’m hoping I can steer this conversation away from our little detour that we made. “Is Luca back yet?”

“They’re dealing with some business. They’ll be home soon, I’m sure.” Dante’s eyes tighten, and he glances past me to his men.

“Found it!” One of the men retrieves the stuffed dragon beneath the seat. He lifts it, showing the damaged toy to Dante.

“Mine!” Zeke shrieks. “Give me. Give me. My dragon.” His eyes water when he sees the dragon’s head bob forward, nearly decapitated.

I ignore Dante and stalk past him for the dragon, its head now ripped even more than it had been earlier. “Look what your men did to Zeke’s toy!” I yank it from the taller man’s grasp as he stares at me, dumbfounded.

“Sir?” The soldier glances from Dante to me.

I ignore both of them, storming into the house with the stuffed dragon.

Zeke is on full-melt down mode, screaming and crying about his favorite toy. My son doesn’t have any idea this isn’t his dragon, and I can’t exactly soothe and comfort him if I want to keep out of hot water.

I’m a terrible mother.

“Tell me you have a sewing kit?” I bark at Dante.

He stares at me, taken aback by my boldness.

Yes, I stole the fucking toy and am now pretending it was Zeke’s all along.

I’m not a fucking saint.

Zeke seems to believe it was his, so I have one point in my favor.

Although using Zeke is a shitty thing to do, I’m well aware; but this is the mafia, and I’m not about to get myself murdered or thrown into that basement prison.

Nova comes around the corner, frowning when she hears all the excitement. She glances at the stuffed dragon. “What happened to Zeke’s favorite stuffy?”

Thankfully, she’s unaware of the duplicate as well.

“Ask that monster!” I point at the man who retrieved it. “He tore its head off.”

Zeke shrieks more. The crocodile tears are real, and my heart breaks because he doesn’t realize his favorite toy is safely at home in his bed.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Simone?” Nova glares, storming up to him. “What kind of sick fuck likes to make little kids cry?”

He bites his tongue and glances at Dante. “I swear I didn’t mean to destroy the stuffed animal. I just reached for it; maybe it got caught on something under the seat when I pulled it out.”

Dante rolls his eyes and storms down the hallway to his office, slamming the door shut. The walls rattle, and I can finally breathe again.

I carry Zeke to the playroom, doing my best to settle him down, but the best distraction seems to be the toys.

His face is still splotchy, his eyes glassy, and he sniffles from the stuffy nose he has from crying, but he’s settling down.