2. Kade

2

Kade

A lberto watches the footage on the screen and frowns. "What am I supposed to be looking at?" he snaps.

"The guy in the suit next to the blackjack table. Watch his hands."

I've seen this clip twice now, and it never gets old. I love how people think they can come into one of our casinos and cheat the house. We've been following this asshole for a few weeks. It took a while to see who was working with the players, but I figured it out this evening.

Our security is top-notch and there are always cameras on the gaming tables, but this guy is smart. He stands just far enough away that the camera over the table doesn't pick him up. Yet he's close enough to make tiny movements to the person he works with on the table, letting them know what hands the other players have.

It's simple yet effective. And because of him and his gang of thieves, we've lost a fuck ton of money in the last four months. Millions. Way more than we'd normally expect to lose.

"I assume you picked him up," Alberto says when the clip ends. "I don't appreciate being cheated."

I laugh. "Of course. He's waiting in the basement. I can deal, unless you want a chat?"

"I'll leave it with you. I have a dinner date with Melissa."

"Sure thing." Just as I'm about to stand, Alberto's phone rings. He glances at the screen and something that looks a lot like shock flutters over his face before he steels his expression.

"Tessa, this is unexpected—"

I step toward the door, not wanting to intrude, but he gestures at me to wait.

"Calm down, honey, and tell me where you are!"

It's not like Alberto to lose his shit, but I guess receiving a call from one's estranged daughter after 14 years does that to a man. Whatever is going on can't be good.

I know Alberto has been keeping a watchful eye on Tessa, and he was less than pleased when she got involved with that cocksucker, Enzo Ferrero. But he reasoned she was an adult and would not appreciate his input. Not after telling him she wanted nothing to do with him ever again.

Something must be wrong for Tessa to call her father.

"Kade is on his way. Stay out of sight and wait for him. Call me if you need to... I promise... yes, I'll make sure the kids are safe... you have my word."

"Tessa is at a service area off I90, just past the Cypress Falls exit. I want you to go there now and pick her up. That cunt Ferrero has got into trouble with the Russians and he tried to give her to them."

The Tessa I remember was a 16-year-old spitfire. I wonder what she's like now? When I tune back in, Alberto is still speaking.

"... take her well away from here, somewhere the Russians won't think to look. Until the threat against her is gone, she's not safe anywhere around me."

"Not even at your estate?"

"No. Not until we know who's behind this. Ferrero didn't know she was my daughter, so he had to have gotten the information from someone close to me. She says she heard a Russian voice, but if some fucker is trying to take me out, the rot could go beyond the Russians."

He and I both think someone within our organization is trying to oust him, but as yet, we don't know who. Alberto has made many enemies over the years, so there is no shortage of suspects. My loyalty is without question - he saved my life and I'll always be grateful for that - but there are other people who wouldn't think twice about taking him out if it benefited them.

I have an idea who the head of the snake might be, but until I have proof, I'm not saying anything. Alberto won't take it well if I'm wrong.

"I know someone - two people, actually - who can protect her."

"And you trust them?

"Yes."

"Then take her there. And Kade..." He pauses. "Protect her and my grandchildren with your life."

"Always."

Cin picks up on the third ring as I hover close to the speed limit on the I90. The rest stop I'm heading for is another 40 minutes away. Tessa should be safe there. It's a busy place. Lots of truckers and family use it as a stopping point on the way to Montana, especially around this time of the day when people want to eat.

"Been a while, bro, what gives?"

My brother and I are not close. We were once, but our lives took us in different directions: me into the mafia and him into the armed forces.

"I need your help with something."

He laughs. "After some dating advice, dude?"

I bristle with annoyance. The fucker thinks he's God's gift to women. "Personal protection. A woman and two kids."

He stops laughing. "Why are they in danger? Custody dispute?"

"No, she's my boss's daughter. The Russians are after her."

There's a long pause. I pass a highway patrol officer parked on the hard shoulder, but he ignores me. Fat fuck's probably asleep.

"Not sure Madden will want to get involved in a dispute between two mafia factions," Cin muses.

"The boy is three and the girl just a baby. If the Russians try to take their mother, they'll likely end up dead."

"Let me talk to him." There's a muffled conversation in the background and then he comes back on the line.

"Madden says this is all chargeable time."

"Of course. I bet you'd do it for free, though."

"Oh? Is she hot?"

"No idea. Last time I saw her was 14 years ago, when she was 16. She's had two kids since then."

"Estranged from Daddy, eh?"

"Yeah. Long story."

He snorts. "Can't wait to hear all about it. When can we expect our guests?"

"I'll drive through the night, so early hours is my best guess. Will keep you posted if there are any delays." It shouldn't need saying, but I will say it anyway. "This is strictly business. Make sure you keep your hands and dick away from her."

"You have such a low opinion of me, brother," he chuckles.

"You and I both know you can never resist a pretty face."

"Don't worry, she'll be safe with us." I know he's right. There are few people in this world I trust, but Cin is my brother and Madden is my closest friend. I just wish Cin wasn't such a manwhore. But he always has been. The fucker is way too pretty for a guy, and he knows it. "Drive carefully, bro. There's a bad storm rolling in. The track up to the house is treacherous if the stream bursts its banks."

"Will do." I end the call and step on the gas. The sooner I collect Alberto's daughter and drop her at Madden's place, the sooner I can get back to digging the dirt on my prime suspect.