“I have a lot of pent-up aggression saved up this afternoon, boys. I’m sure our prisoner would be glad if I took some of itout on you two morons.” I’m wound just tight enough that their banter rubs me the wrong way today. It’s gone on long enough, and it’s time to get serious.
“Alright, alright.” Joe grins, walking over to the chair in the center of the room. The prisoner is tied to it, a bag pulled over his head. Joe removes it roughly, and the guy looks around like a deer in headlights. He’s already bloody, bruised and worn down. Dante and Joe obviously made good use of the time they were waiting for me. “Roman, meet Ryker. He’s a lieutenant in La Eme and was the one who killed Talia, went after Ty, and his fingerprints were found all over your house.”
Sounds like game over to me.
“That’s not true. I had nothing to do with that shit. I swear!” He shakes his head wildly, trying to backtrack.
Dante rears his fist back, landing a powerful punch on Ryker’s jaw and sending blood sputtering across the room. His brass knuckles clamor to the floor.
I bend so I’m at his level, meeting his glare. “Ryker, I think you’d say just about anything right now to save your own skin. I think it was all you. You killed my wife, and you tried to kill both me and my son. You have thirty seconds to convince me otherwise.”
Quiet at first, he seems to be questioning how serious I am about the time limit, yet as I pull out a jagged, six-inch hunting knife, he changes his tune. “Okay, okay. It was me. But I was just following orders, I swear! I’ll tell you whatever you want to know, just don’t kill me.” It’s amazing how many men like this preach loyalty, but sing like songbirds once they’re faced with death.
“How about you talk and then I’ll decide whether you live or die?”
He jerks against his restraints. “I’ve never met the guy. I don’t even know anybody who has. All I know is he is some rich whiteguy. Doesn’t even live in Vegas. They call him Doc and he calls the shots now.”
“Doc?” Joe repeats.
Ryker nods. “He never shows his face, but everything runs through him. He sends his jobs through a Chinese restaurant. A brown takeout bag showed up on my doorstep with all the details and that’s all. I swear.”
I stare at him intently, trying to decide if he’s telling the truth. He has no reason to lie to us when we’re his only hope of staying alive. Either we kill him, or we let him go with a target on his back. Whether or not he tells us anything won’t matter, it’ll look like he did to his group.
“What do you think?” Joe sneers, the same thoughts running through his mind.
“I think we aren’t in a position to overlook any leads.” I grit my teeth. If Ryker is telling the truth, we’re closer. I hate the thought of this dragging on even longer, but I want to be sure. Ihaveto be sure.
Joe nods to Dante, and he leaves the room, ready to chase down the lead.
“Look, you’ve got to protect me. I can get you to Doc, but I need some assurances first,” Ryker pleads, well aware of his fate the second he walks out of my door.
Joe lets out a sharp laugh. “Protect you? You’re lucky you’re still breathing right now.”
I rub my jaw, contemplating my options. Unfortunately, he’s right. He has the closest ties to whoever this guy is, and he’s our best chance of ending it swiftly.
“You have three days,” I concede.
“It’s going to take longer than that. I told you, this guy doesn’t do face to face.”
Joe shoots me a curious look. Bargaining isn’t a method that I use often.
“Three days. If you don’t deliver him by then, La Eme can have you.” I turn to Joe. “I want eyes on him at all times. And taps on the phone.”
Joe grunts, hauling Ryker off.
The last thing I want is a war with La Eme. It’s too unpredictable, and I’ve got too much to lose if something breaks out. This is all I’ve got right now, and I have to make it work.
Chapter Thirty-Four
AsIpaceatthe bottom of the stairs waiting for Maddie, I’m actually antsy. Pre-date jitters are a new thing for me in general, but tonight is next level.
Maddie and I have been out dozens of times, but something feels different about going to an event like this together. Like truly going public with our relationship. Many of my own associates are donors to the hospital and will be there tonight, not to mention all of Maddie’s coworkers. The event draws national attention, and it will for sure be heavily photographed. First impressions are everything in my world, and I love the idea of having Maddie on my arm.
It feels like a big step.
She took me up on my offer to buy her a dress, but I don’t know anything about what she picked. She and Lucinda have dodged my questions about it all week, only telling me it’s black so I could dress accordingly. After learning from my last experience, I dropped Ty off with Joe and Sarah earlier in theafternoon so Maddie and I could get ready in peace. He was less than thrilled, but when Maddie offered to send him a picture of us in our outfits, he mellowed out.
I glance at my watch and groan. I hate being late for these types of things, because all the tables in the back are usually taken by then.