Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“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.”