61. Kade

61

Kade

I t's been two days since I've been to the penthouse. Tessa and the kids are safe with Madden and Cin. They don't need me, and besides, I'm up to my neck in Family problems. Alberto is in Mexico, setting up a new distribution deal with Horatio Vargas, leaving me to handle the day-to-day stuff.

Everything has been suspiciously quiet since Ferrero turned up dead and Mashkov flew out of the country. On the surface, the threat to Tessa has been eradicated, but while Alberto believes she's safe enough, I'm not convinced.

Dante is much too chipper for my liking. I have one of my best guys following him but so far, he's done nothing out of the ordinary.

The only thing that ties him to Mashkov is the club. Having seen some of what goes down there, I told Alberto that his brother is likely involved, but he just shook his head and told me to leave it alone.

I don't understand it. Alberto is vehemently opposed to people trafficking. He always has been. So why won't he step in if he knows his brother is a paid-up member of a club that auctions off men, women, and kids?

I've always admired Alberto. Loved him like a father. But I'm beginning to realize he's not the man I thought he was. My phone rings and I sigh. It better not be more problems. This day is getting on my last nerve already and it's only 10 AM.

"Kade, I have a problem," Madden barks down the line. "I need you to come back here for a few days."

"Why? I'm busy. You guys don't need me."

"I have a job I can't get out of." There's a pause and I hear ice chink in a glass. It must be bad if Madden is drinking this early in the day. "Jewel Silver booked us a year ago to handle her security for a talk show. I canceled it when the shit with Tessa went down, but her agent has just called to say if we don't meet our contractual obligations, she'll sue."

My eyes roll. The woman is a narcissistic cunt. "Alberto's lawyer can sort that bitch out. I'll give you his number."

"I can't take the risk, Kade. Even if she's blowing hot air out of her ass, she'll bad-mouth us all over Tinsel Town. If she does, I'll lose a lot of clients."

Goddammit. He has a point. It's probably better to do the job and then cut ties with her. There's nothing she can do or say once he's fulfilled his end of the contract.

"OK, when are you leaving?"

"In an hour."

"OK, I'll head over now."

The call ends and I shove my laptop into my bag and lock up my condo. I bought the place years ago when I first started working for Alberto and had money to burn. It's been an excellent investment. Property prices in this neighborhood have quadrupled in recent years, and if I sold now, I'd make a killing.

I probably should sell the place. It doesn't feel much like home. The walls are beige and the furniture is generic IKEA shit. There are no paintings, plants, throws, or any personal shit.

Maybe once this mess with Tessa has been resolved and I figure out who's trying to undermine Alberto, I'll contact a real estate agent to help me find a property I actually want to live in. One that has more of a homely aesthetic, with a backyard, a pool, and ample space for kids.

Then I give myself a mental slap around the head.

Family? Kids??

That life isn't for me.

I dismiss the notion and head downtown toward the penthouse, where a woman who won't ever be mine is waiting.