Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Maverick
I stepped outside to take the call from Nolen.
"Please tell me you have something for me?" I wasn't above begging at this point. This had been going on for far too long, and I wanted the shit over with so I could focus on Jo and the baby.
"I do. Vanessa was able to identify her blackmailer."
I pumped my fist in the air. Finally some good news.
"Who is it?"
"Santino Diaz."
"Does he have ties to Los Cangris?"
"Not exactly. At least not in the sense that he's one of their members. He's a fancy lawyer here in Texas, and Alejandro's cousin, but here's the kicker. He represented Alejandro in court."
So not an estranged family member but an active part in his life. "Did he represent the other gang members or was it just his cousin?"
"He represented them all."
That was interesting. "So maybe not a gang member in the traditional sense, but he certainly knew what his cousin was doing."
"I would say so. I doubt the man went into it blind. Maybe Alejandro didn't tell Santino his day-to-day operations, but the guy had to know at least some of what was happening."
"Where is Santino now?"
"Dallas, Texas. He has his own law firm there."
"What kind of life is he living?"
I needed to know what we were getting ourselves into. Los Cangris wasn't as strong as it once was, but that didn't mean they weren't deadly.
"A posh life. Fancy house, fancy cars, fancy security system. He even has a personal bodyguard. The man is clearly doing well for himself. That or Los Cangris is paying him very well."
Son of a bitch. None of that boded well for us.
"So not an easy target and certainly someone people would miss if he suddenly disappeared."
"Pretty much."
"We need to figure out why he's got a hard-on for finding out who B.
Feather is. I know she wrote about the gang, but that doesn't explain why he's gone to such lengths to figure out the secret.
I hate to say it, but I would think Kati would be a more likely target.
She's the one who put Alejandro behind bars along with us. "
"There has to be something we're missing."
I had to agree.
"Do you want us to take rotation on watching Jo?" Nolen inquired.
"No, I have it handled."
"Do I even want to know?"
"It's better that you don't ask."
I didn't want to lie more than I already was.
"Okay. I'll take your word for it."
"Thanks, Nolen. I truly appreciate it."
"Anything for you, man. I'll talk to you later."
We said our good-byes, and I walked back into the house. It didn't take me long to find Jo in the kitchen scowling at her coffee maker.
"Why are you looking at that machine like it's going to come to life and bite you?"
"According to the internet, I can't have caffeine while I'm pregnant."
"Okay, so switch to decaf."
Obviously that was the wrong thing to say if the look she was giving me was any indication.
"Decaf? Really? The whole point of coffee is the damn boost it gives me to not commit murder on a daily basis."
Well, alrighty then.
"I'm sorry I suggested it."
"You should be," she snapped at me.
"Is this what it's going to be like living with you?"
Also not the right thing to say apparently.
"You're more than welcome to stay at your own place. You're the one insisting you stay here, not me."
"It's for your safety."
Jo threw her arms out to the side. "And what safety is that? Last time I checked, no one is actively after me. You just keep saying they are."
Annalee was right. I needed to stay calm if I was going to make any headway with Jo. It was getting harder and harder the longer we spoke.
"You can't really believe that. Vanessa had an active blackmailer looking to discover your identity, and now they know who you are. It's only a matter of time before they come for you."
"Again so you say."
We were talking in circles at this point. Clearly we weren't going to get anywhere while she was mad about the coffee.
"What can I do to make this situation better for you?"
Jo dropped her head back and groaned. "Stop being so damn understanding and perfect. It's really fucking annoying."
That brought a smile to my face. "Sorry, no can do."
"This isn't going to work."
"What's that?"
"This arrangement. You. Me. You staying here. Us having a baby together. None of it's going to work."
I didn't know the first thing about pregnancy, so I was definitely going to be looking up if this was normal and how I should help. Although, it didn't seem like she wanted my help at this point.
I walked over to Jo and pulled her into my arms. I was surprised when she didn't fight me on it. "How about we take things one day at a time and see how they go? We don't need to make any final decisions today."
Jo nodded her head against my chest. "Okay."
I took the small win for what it was.
A damn miracle.