Chapter 11

Once everyone had cleared the room, I sat behind Fox's desk and looked at my phone. I hadn't wanted to use Maverick's, so he'd given me Nic's private number.

I hit send and put the phone to my ear. It rang twice before a deep voice answered tersely.

"DeLuca. Who the fuck is this?"

I wasn't surprised at his reception, considering someone he didn't recognize was calling his private line.

"Name's Ice. I'm an enforcer with the Iron Rogues."

"Ice, huh?" His voice had become much more congenial, though it was still wary. "You're going to have to explain that one. If it's because you're a cold-blooded killer, I must insist on stealing you from Fox to come work for me."

I chuckled. "Don't you call him Kye?"

Nic was silent for a moment, then his tone became even friendlier when he replied, "Molto bene." Then he asked me a few more probing and annoying questions that he obviously believed would prove that I was who I claimed to be.

"Satisfied?" I asked dryly.

Nic laughed. "You know I was just fucking with you, right? Kye sent me a text letting me know you'd be calling."

"Figures." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help chuckling. And I was grateful that Fox had paved the way for me.

"He didn't explain your road name, though."

"Former pro hockey player for the Tennessee Trojans," I explained. "It's in my blood somewhere because my brother plays center for the New York Navigators." I paused, then gave him the full truth because, why the hell not? "And my empathy could use some work."

"I think I like you, Ice," Nic chuckled.

"Good. Then you won't mind doing me a favor."

He was silent for a few beats, then said, "I'm listening."

I quickly laid out the whole situation and Maverick's plan. "All we need is your permission to lead the investigation toward the local, nonexistent branch of The Family. And if they come calling, you can prove that you have no contact with this so-called Mafia family—"

"And therefore confirm their existence," Nic finished.

"Exactly. And if needed, we'll have our guys on the force lead the investigation in another direction."

"Why would I do this for you?"

I hesitated, unsure of what angle I wanted to play. "I'll owe you."

"You'll owe me," he confirmed.

"Yes." I tried not to let my irritation seep into my tone, but I knew I'd failed when he laughed.

"That's your play here?"

Again, I hesitated, thinking about Maverick's plan…but I didn't want to go there unless it was my last resort. "Yes. That's my pitch."

"Hmm, to be honest, you're not asking much. And if it were Kye, I would do it without the quid pro quo. But there is something I want from you."

"Already?" I hadn't expected him to call in his chips immediately.

"Si."

"What is it?"

"Your brother."

"Excuse me?"

"Your brother is Nathan Gallagher, corretto?"

"Yes. What could you possibly want with Nathan?"

"As it happens, my son is obsessed with hockey, and he is a huge fan of your brother. I have connections, but they only get me perks at the stadium unless I'm willing to use…let's call it underhanded techniques. I try not to resort to that outside of my business."

"I understand."

"If you'll ask your brother to come to dinner and spend a couple of hours with my son, I'll make sure your problem is handled."

"You want my brother to come to dinner?" I asked incredulously, not trusting that it could be this simple.

"That's it. I'll be my son's hero. When you have kids, you'll understand the magnitude of that."

"I can imagine," I murmured, thinking about a dark-haired, green-eyed little baby and hoping that Marnie was already carrying our son or daughter.

"Do we have a deal?"

"I'll have Nathan call you."

"Bene. Oh, I have one more condition. Mi dispiace, I should have mentioned it earlier."

My brow furrowed at the serious note in his voice.

"In order for this to work, you'll have to let my man take out your target."

"What the fuck?" I growled. "You're asking me to step back and let someone else dispose of the man threatening my woman?"

"I understand your need for vengeance and to be the one to cause this asshole pain, but in order for this to work, you need a trail that doesn't lead back to you. One that my man knows how to leave to ensure it also disappears at the right moment."

"Nic—"

"I appreciate that you didn't use Gianna to coerce my agreement, Ice," he interrupted, throwing me off balance.

"You're welcome," I replied gruffly. "If it were me—"

"Exactly my point. If it were me. Even though you didn't use Gianna as a tactic, my mind still went there. And honestly, amico, as hard as it would be to step back from the situation, I would do it if it was what was best for my wife. Can you honestly tell me that removing yourself from the threat of suspicion isn't what is best for your woman?"

"Fucking hell," I muttered. He was right, but I was loath to admit it. "I don't know how Fox puts up with you."

"Trust me, he can be just as much of a cocky motherfucker as I can. Especially when he's right."

"True."

"I look forward to meeting your brother, Ice. And think about coming with him. You're welcome at my home any time."

His invitation was unexpected but very much appreciated, considering how tight he kept his circle. "Thank you. I just might do that."

"You'll hear from me soon."

The connection ended abruptly, and I leaned back in my chair, playing over our conversation and wondering how the man had talked me in circles.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, trying to clear my mind of everything except my angel. She was the only thing that would soothe my instincts to hunt Franks down and dismember him myself.

There was a knock on the door before it opened and Fox and Maverick walked into the room.

"So?" Maverick stuck his hands in his front pockets and cocked his head to the side. "Is he in?"

I put my palms flat on the desktop and pushed down, rising to my feet. "In a manner of speaking."

"What does that mean?"

"It means he agreed, but only if we do it his way," Fox supplied.

"Yeah."

Maverick frowned. "And his way is what?"

I shrugged. "Whatever way he wants. He'll call when it's done."

Fox studied me for a moment, then asked, "And you're okay with this?"

"Couldn't argue with his logic," I answered. "Letting him handle it keeps both Marnie and me safe. And that's what is most important."

Fox smiled approvingly, then his expression turned curious. "What did he want in return?"

I told them about Nic's request, and they both laughed. Then Fox ambled over and slapped me on the back. "Go home to your woman."

Glancing at my watch, I was happy to see I'd only been gone about an hour and a half. Which meant Marnie would still be awake, and I could make up for leaving so abruptly earlier.

I was almost to the door when Fox called out my name, and I halted, turning halfway around to see what he wanted.

He held up a vest. "Almost forgot. Sheila dropped it off earlier."

Fox tossed it to me, and I easily caught it, then held it up to look at the property patch taking up almost the entire back. Pride swelled in my chest, and my heart thumped. Yeah, I needed to be with my angel.

"You hear something from Nic, call," I told them. "Otherwise, don't bother me for a few days."

Ignoring their laughter, I turned and stalked from the room.

The ride home felt like hours, and relief washed over me when I saw Whiskey step out of the shadows and raise his chin in greeting as he walked toward me.

I quickly exited the car and glanced up at the house before meeting Whiskey's eyes.

"Everything's been quiet," he told me. "She's fine."

"Thanks," I murmured, and we shook hands. Viper and Wrecker rode up on their bikes, and I nodded to them in silent thanks, receiving the same gesture in return.

I walked through the front door when I heard the rumble of all three motorcycles as they headed down the road.

I put her vest in the coat closet for the time being, shutting the door just as Marnie came around the corner from the kitchen.

She beamed when she saw me. "You're home."

"C'mere," I ordered gruffly, holding out an arm. She hurried over, and I wrapped her in my embrace, rubbing my chin in her silky waves. "Fuck, I missed you."

She dropped her head back, and her eyes twinkled happily. "I missed you too. I made dinner, so I hope you're hungry."

"I am starving, angel," I grunted before sweeping her off her feet and stalking toward the stairs and up to our bedroom.

"But dinner…" Marnie gasped as I tossed her onto the bed, then laughed as she bounced on the mattress.

"What I'm craving is between your sexy thighs, angel."

Just over twenty-four hours later,I received a call from a number I didn't recognize, though it had a New York City area code.

"Tell me it's done," I said in lieu of a greeting.

"Turn on the news," Nic murmured, then hung up.

I was in my home office, catching up on some work, so I grabbed the remote to the TV mounted on the wall and hit the power button.

The local news channel blinked on, and Lonnie Damien, a rookie reporter, stood in front of a construction site.

"The victim has been identified as Keith Franks, a local land developer. He was shot execution-style with a single bullet to the back of the head."

Lonnie paused and put his finger to his ear, then straightened and looked directly into the camera, a grim expression on his face. He was overdoing it with the theatrics, but I didn't care as long as I heard what I wanted.

"Rumors that Franks was in bed with the local Mafia are swirling, and though police have declined to comment, I'm being told that there's evidence supporting this theory."

He paused again, then a flash of triumph crossed his face for a second before he could school it into his serious facade.

"New information has just come to light. It seems this man, Keith Franks, is in fact Sam Frankel, a man the police have suspected is a hit man for The Family."

I chuckled, knowing that Stone and Deviant had obviously sent their research to Nic so they could build an even stronger case for the mob hit.

My phone pinged, and I glanced at it, seeing a message from Deviant.

Deviant

Damn, he's good.

I smiled and shot off a text to Nathan, telling him I needed a favor and to call when he had a chance.

Nathan

Will do.

Marnie pushed open the door to my office just as I shut off the television.

"You look happy," she said with a sweet smile.

I held out my hand, and she rounded my desk, allowing me to pull her into my lap. "You are all I'll ever need to make me happy, angel," I told her softly. "But I did get some other good news."

"I love good news!" she chirped happily, making me laugh.

"The man targeting me is gone, and he won't be back. It's all over."