“He have anything useful?”
“Not sure. They figured out those three Russians killed by Reaper were trafficking kids—primarily little boys.”
The air thickens with disgust. We may not follow the law, but we aren’t completely devoid of a conscience. The shit some people do is plain cruel. We have zero tolerance for that brand of evil.
“I wasn’t aware Biba was into that sort of shit,” Renzo comments. “But I also wouldn’t put it past him.”
D swirls the remaining liquid in his glass. “Could be a side hustle that his crew was running without his knowledge.”
“Either way,” Sante continues, “Malone says it looks like their deaths put a serious dent in the operation. He’s still questioning if this Reaper character isn’t some sort of vigilante.”
DiAngelo shrugs. “From what I can tell, his outfit is about fifty strong—tiny in comparison to some, but they’re all skilled.He’s selective about this recruiting. Never heard of a vigilante running with a crew like that, but I suppose it’s possible.”
“True,” Renzo adds, “and as far as we know, those kills could have been a takeover rather than justice. I don’t think it’s safe to assume anything about him.”
“Fortunately, he’s not our concern at the moment.” DiAngelo stands and stretches. “Time to start the hunt.”
“How long do you think it’ll take?” I ask.
A predatorial glint lights his eyes. “I’d keep my phone close, if I were you.”
CHAPTER 23
DANIKA
When Tommy gets home,he’s carrying a large box in his arms with Sante in tow, doing the same.
“What’s all this?” I call from the kitchen as they march through the living room toward the primary bedroom hall.
“Your stuff.” The words are tossed over his shoulder before he disappears around the corner. A few seconds later, the two walk purposely back to the front door and disappear again.
I sneak a glance at my mom, who is staring at me with her eyebrows riding high on her forehead. “Oh! The gravy is boiling.” I rush back to the stove and turn down the heat, stirring the viscous liquid to keep it from getting lumpy. Mom and I have been stress cooking for the past hour. We’ve managed to make enough food to feed a small army. “Check on the rolls,” I tell her in part to distract her from asking me questions I’m not sure how to answer.
When the guys return, they’re both pulling hotel-style luggage carts full of my things. Boxes. Canvases. My pink bedside lamp.
“Are you moving me in here?” I blurt, completely forgetting about my mother.
“That’s usually how marriage works,” Tommy answers distractedly.
“Marriage?” Mom blurts.
I cringe, squeezing my eyes shut.
This is not how I planned to tell her, which is to say, there was no plan because I had no idea how to broach the subject. She’ll never understand such a fast-moving relationship, especially in light of Biba’s involvement. I don’t want her to think poorly of Tommy or minimize what he’s doing for me. If she thinks he’s taking advantage of the situation for his benefit, it’ll color her perception of everything.
“Tommy just asked me earlier today, actually,” I try to explain. “With Gran going missing, it didn’t seem like the right time to tell you.”
As if any time would be the right time to tell her I’m getting married.
Mom eyes Tommy as he wheels the cart toward the bedroom while Sante pushes his cart down the guest hallway. “Dani, that’s awfully fast. Why the rush?” she asks warily.
“There’s no rush, Mama.”
It hits me that Tommy said we’d marry immediately but never explained what that means. I assume in a matter of weeks, but there’s no telling with him.
I give her a reassuring smile and take her hand in mine. “We haven’t set a date or anything. I don’t even have a ring, so don’t get all worried. It’s more of an understanding about the future, that’s all.” I don’t think she’s buying it, but she’s wise enough not to push further with Tommy and Sante around. I’m relieved to have a little time to come up with a more convincing explanation.
“Any word on Gran?” I ask when the two guys return with empty carts. The tension in the air shifts to a blanket of worry at the change in subject.
