27. June #3
Miller settles into a seat between Magnus and Coen and bites into a donut.
The crumbs spill over onto the napkin in his grasp.
He seems so…not what you would expect from someone with so much knowledge of this industry.
He’s not jacked or tattooed like Magnus.
Or big and scary like Dom. Simon exudes I’m here to fuck shit up energy.
Even Coen has this murderous stare to his surfer boy exterior.
And Johnny, well, he's got a bad boy vibe about him for sure.
He's softer than shit for Claire but he rules an entire criminal faction.
And then there's Miller. He's good-looking, that's for sure, but lacks that psychopathic aura that the rest of the guys have.
He appears too young to know everything he does, too.
Still, I wouldn't cross him, because the ones that look like that are usually the worst of all.
Miller is a pandora’s box full of secrets waiting to be spilled.
And if I’m even going to consider letting him anywhere near my best friend, I have to do some digging first.
But, that's for another day. Maybe one day I can pick Claire's brain and see what she thinks about the mysterious man that is her husband's advisor.
Today, we have a bigger problem to solve.
“You haven’t been able to successfully apprehend any of the hired hands?” Claire brings the mug to her lips and sips her coffee. She glances at Johnny and whispers, “Mmm, cinnamon.”
He winks at her as Dom speaks up.
“No, but it’s my understanding you haven’t either.”
“No, we haven’t. We came close, but one man actually bit off his own tongue, swallowed it, and choked to death before we could interrogate him.”
I shudder at the thought of being that fucking desperate to end my own life. Was it because the person thought the torture methods would be too extreme, or that the ramification of speaking would be too great?
Either way, such drastic measures bring awareness to the magnitude of the situation. If that person was willing to die instead of speak, we’re dealing with someone heavily influential here.
“You’ve been around longer than anyone else on the east coast,” I say to Miller. “And the notes said you took something. Do you have any idea what that might be?”
"Luciano was a ruthless, but fair man. He didn't leave much to chance.
If he had an enemy, he either eliminated them or turned them to his side.
" Miller pats his mouth with his napkin and looks at Johnny briefly.
"Franklin, on the other hand, made enemies out of friends any chance he got. He ruled cruelly and maliciously. His list of enemies spans every coast and continent.”
“Whoever it was wants to destroy both sides and take me down with it.”
“Who’s to say you don’t have enemies?” Miller suggests.
I laugh. “Because I’m a nobody. The only thing I’m guilty of is being a bitch.”
Simon pushes a donut toward me. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Claire points out. “One thing is certain. They go after you when they think you’re alone, or at least, unsuspecting.”
I nudge the donut out of the way but Simon pushes it right back. I lean on my elbows. “I’m listening,” I tell her.
“Eat,” Simon whispers.
I break off a piece of it and shove it in my mouth. “Happy?”
He grins and nods.
“What if…” Claire glances around the room at my men. “And hear me out before you shut me down. What if we use June as bait?”
“Absolutely not,” Dominic is the first to speak.
“Not happening,” Coen follows him up.
Magnus and Simon exchange a look like they’re speaking telepathically.
Johnny reaches for Claire’s hand. “I don’t know…”
“I’m in,” I announce.
“No.” Dominic stares right at me.
“This isn’t your decision to make.” I stare right fucking back. After everything he has put me through, there’s no way I’m going to let him call the shots. This is my life on the line, not his.
“You’re injured,” Coen tells the room.
Fucking bastard.
“I’m fine.” I move my left arm and circle it around. “See?” But does he notice the tense of my jaw or the way I can’t exactly get a full extension without the pain piercing through me?
Probably not, he’s pretty fucking oblivious lately.
Simon on the other hand, he sees everything. Even the things I don’t want him to. And the things I don’t even know myself.
“Only if we can take certain measures,” Simon suggests.
Because of course, he would be the one to actually think I was capable of pulling this off.
“Absolutely,” Claire confirms. “I would be with her the whole time. I’ve dealt with my fair share of hostage situations. I know what to look out for.”
“Claire…” Johnny sits up in his seat to force Claire’s attention. “This is crazy.”
She smiles softly and cups his cheek. “We’ve done crazier.”
“I don’t like this,” Magnus finally chimes in. “But this might be stupid enough to work.”
Now that I know a threat is imminent, I’ll be able to actually prepare for it.
A privilege I haven’t been fortunate to have since the guys have insisted on keeping me in the dark.
Maybe if I knew the magnitude of what was going on, I would have kept that bastard alive instead of killing him. Bronco. What a stupid fucking name.
“Wait,” I blurt out, a memory floating in. “I remember another name from the other day.” I dig through the pieces of that dreadful night to uncover what it was. “Harold.” I blink up at the group gawking at me. “One of the men’s names was Harold. And the other guy, Bronco.”
“I have Savini working to see what he can find. I’ll give him that name, too,” Dominic says. He tilts his watch face up toward him. “Speaking of, I have a meeting soon.”
Of course, he would. When we’re finally all together, he would leave. Makes total fucking sense. How can we show a united front when he isn’t even present?
“I won’t be long, though.” Dominic meets my gaze. “I’ll only miss appetizers.”
My heart flutters. Is this his way of finding some common ground between us? A compromise of sorts? It’s not much, and he’s going to have to dig a hell of a lot deeper, but for now, it works.
“So, it’s settled?” Claire fills the awkward silence.
“Yes,” I answer before anyone else can.
“Okay.” Claire leans forward and props her elbows on the table.
“We’ll need to pick a place where they’ll think you’re vulnerable.
Where the security is lax, and the chance of someone gaining access to you is great.
Crowded, so it would be easily overlooked, but not so much that they couldn’t take you if they make a move. ”
“I know the perfect place.” I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the possibility that this all might be over soon enough.
Maybe then I will get my happily ever after.
But knowing how things go down in this world, the chance of one of us making it out alive isn’t great.