Chapter 16 #2
My gut continued churning. I’d been an agent for long enough to know that when an amateur when sleuthing, no matter how careful they’d been, they would leave a trail a mile wide.
I shifted immediately to my secure account, trying to calm my nerves as I searched for any sign of mob activity.
While we handled international cases, that didn’t mean we didn’t keep watch on every crime syndicate and cartel, especially given most had business in another country.
When I found nothing conclusive on any activity surrounding the Durantes, I sat back, nursing on my beer.
Then I picked up my phone. I didn’t give a shit what time it was, Alexander was going to take my call.
He answered after the third ring. “Fuck, buddy. Do you know what time it is?”
“Yeah, well, I knew you wouldn’t be sleeping. You’re going to answer me a question and you damn well better not lie to me.”
“O-kay. What the hell is going on?”
“Did you lie to us about Senator Fields? Did you offer campaign funds to him in exchange for looking the other way for you taking over Chicago?”
Alexander didn’t answer right away. When he did, his tone indicated he was telling the truth. “No, I did not. But that will explain why Rocco pulled out of New York and why he asked me to share a drink with him. My father must have made a deal with his father years before.”
“You better not be lying to me. Cassie has gotten herself in the middle of some shit. She sent me damning evidence of her father’s involvement with your family.”
“No wonder the great senator just announced his retirement.” He cursed under his breath.
My gut remained active. I switched to the dark web, searching for key names. I’d created a persona years before, gathering more information on international criminals on the site than in other locations.
“What are you doing?” he barked.
“Checking the dark web for any chatter.”
“Cassie could be in danger,” he hissed.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I allowed Rocco to live.”
Growling, I shifted my focus to the Luciano name, my fingers flying. After a full five minutes, I found what I didn’t want to find. “He’s out to get you, my friend. Word on the web is that he’s planning an attack. Or as two individuals state, he’s going to bring you to your knees.”
“That would take a weakness and I only have one.”
I slammed my fist on the desk. “Cassie. How the hell would Rocco know of her existence?”
“Let me make a phone call.”
“You damn well better not take too long.” After checking the time, I ended the call abruptly, shifting through page after page.
While the information was limited, it would appear the proposed attack was imminent.
When I looked at the digital clock again, I realized almost ten minutes had passed.
“Call me, you prick.” When the phone rang a few seconds later, I jerked it into my hand.
“Remember she mentioned the asshole following her at the university?” he snarled.
“Yeah.”
“If I had to guess, I’d say that was Rocco Luciano. He was appointed to the board of trustees four and a half months ago. He’s not a stupid man, Daniel. You know that.”
“Fuck. We need to get to her.” I jerked to a standing position.
“I’m leaving for Illinois tonight. She’s coming back with me.”
I thought about his decision and huffed. “You won’t be alone. Have Brogan with you. The target is Cassie. Get her out of that house.”
* * *
Cassie
Saturday morning dawned with cloudy skies and the threat of rain. I stood at the window with a cup of coffee in my hand, daydreaming when I should have been cleaning. At least I had a good reason, or a bad one.
Alexander had called in the middle of the night.
I’d grabbed the phone on the third ring, staring down at the number, my heart racing.
I wanted nothing more than to talk to him, to hear his sexy voice.
But I knew that it would keep my heartache at a high level.
I was barely functioning as it was, unable to sleep or eat.
Part of that had to do with my father’s retirement.
Part had to do with my late-night email to Daniel, the damning information I’d sent him.
Did I feel guilty about possibly sending my father to prison? In truth, no. What did that make me? He was my father, but in biological terms only. After the ringing sound had stopped, I’d turned off the phone to avoid being weak.
I just couldn’t handle it. Not now.
I’d done everything I could to make amends for my father’s atrocious behavior. Now I had to get back to my life.
Just like they wanted.
Just like I hated.
“Ugh.” I pulled away from the window, staring into my cup.
Even my favorite blueberry cobbler coffee had no flavor this morning.
I headed for the kitchen, glaring at the clock before dumping the contents.
It was almost ten. I should get dressed.
Hell, I should take a shower. I yanked a bottle of water from the fridge.
Then I felt a presence.
For a crazy split second, I was certain it was one of the Wild Boys, but the aftershave was entirely different, the stench disgusting.
“Hello, Cassie. I think you and I are going to become good friends.”
His voice was deep, laced with evil. As I slowly turned around, I bit my lower lip to keep from whimpering.
He stood in a dark suit, his arms crossed in front of him.
In his hands was a weapon held casually.
That didn’t terrify me as much as the smile on his face.
It was one of knowing, and of taking something that didn’t belong to him.
I’d seen his picture. I knew his identity.
Rocco Luciano.
Flinching, I darted a quick glance at the knife block on the counter. When I did, he laughed.
“While I’m certain you’re the kind of woman who will eventually try, I’ll make a strong suggestion that you don’t start playing with knives. I don’t want to hurt you, but I’ll do so if necessary.”
“Who are you?”
“I think you already know. I must admit that until just yesterday, you remained a mystery. But something clicked when your father retired. All I had to do was connect the dots, linking your brother to the school, of which I’m on the board by the way.”
As soon as he said the words, I recognized him from my stupid visit to the university. Oh, my God. He was Rocco Luciano. My heart thudded against my chest, and I did my best to keep my mind from being shaken by terror.
It wasn’t working.
“Then I remembered that you were there asking questions. One thing led to another and here I am. It would seem you’ve drawn the attention of…
the Wild Boys.” He laughed, the sound just as dangerous as the man.
“What a ridiculous name, but they were formidable in the day. To think I wanted to join them. Oh, well. The past is the past.”
“You killed my brother. Didn’t you?”
“Very good, although I wasn’t inside that prison. I had some very loyal men do that for me.”
“You bastard.”
“I heard he cried like a baby.”
That was all I could take. I lunged toward him without thinking, punching him square in the jaw. As I tried to kick him in the balls, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me against him then sliding his forearm under my chin.
“Such a bad girl. Goodness. I can see I’ll need to deal with that right away. Now, you’re coming with me. We’re going to have some fun, you and I. And I’m going to send Alexander daily pictures. I think he’ll enjoy that.”
“That’s not going to happen, Rocco.”
My heart skipped a beat as I heard the second voice. Alexander.
Rocco placed the weapon against my forehead, dragging me back by several feet. “I don’t think you will be that stupid, Alexander. I don’t mind pulling the trigger.”
Alexander offered a smile, then darted his eyes in my direction.
He held his weapon much the same way Rocco had been a few seconds earlier.
I almost whimpered when Daniel moved from behind him, the look on his face one I would never forget.
Two of my heroes had arrived to save me.
How had they known I was in peril? Tears threatened to give away how terrified I was.
Rocco squeezed me tighter then kissed the side of my head. “I’d hate to kill such a pretty little thing.”
“You’re not going to.” Brogan’s voice boomed in the room. “Sorry I’m late. I had a few items of trash to take care of.”
While I couldn’t see Rocco’s face, I sensed his increasing anger by his ragged breathing.
Brogan moved around from the other side, shifting to within a few feet of Rocco, his weapon pointed directly at Rocco’s head.
Alexander walked closer. “I’m well aware that you didn’t keep your word, Rocco. I know about your plans to infiltrate New York. That isn’t going to happen. As of now, the Luciano family no longer has a hold on any city.”
What was he doing?
Rocco laughed, still nuzzling against the side of my head, his stench making me gag.
“Then I hate to tell you that you will lose someone you care about. Again. I suggest you place your weapons on the table.” Rocco’s defiance was absurd. He was outnumbered.
Alexander locked eyes with mine. Then he raised his arms, showing his weapon and easing it down as Rocco had demanded. What the hell was he doing?
Brogan shifted closer, the barrel of his weapon only a few inches away from Rocco’s head.
“You’re such a coward, Alexander. As always, you’re going to make someone else do your dirty work,” Rocco huffed.
There was something in Alexander’s eyes that I’d seen more than once.
At that moment, I knew that not only could I trust all three men, but I realized they were all my heroes and would always be.
Everything happened so fast, but as soon as I felt Rocco’s hold slipping, I jerked free just as the bastard swung his arms toward Brogan, prepared to fire.
I heard the shot, a single, popping sound that echoed in my ear.
“Not this time, fucker,” Alexander hissed, still holding his weapon in his outstretched hand after taking the shot.
Brogan grabbed my arm, yanking me away, his hand planted on the back of my head as he pulled me against his chest. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe now. Safe.”
That’s when I lost it and I knew that I never wanted to spend another minute without them.
My bad men.
My heroes.
My wild boys.