Jericho sighed. “He’s a scared kid who got stuck with a shitty family. I’m pretty sure most of you can relate. As for trusting him…well, I don’t think he’s lying. Do I think his brother isn’t telling him everything? Most likely. That’s why he’s going to work for me until we can get to the bottom of this.”
“Aren’t you worried at all?” Lake asked.
Jericho shrugged. “In Shiloh’s mind, the situation with his brother seems impossible, like he has no way out. To us, the guy is just one more annoyance. A bully whose karma is about to catch up with him. But, in the meantime, we’ll keep him occupied chasing his tail, so we can figure out a way to get this Malachi out of jail.”
Seven flung himself back against the couch. “Why are we helping the kid who tried to shoot Levi in the face?”
Jericho gave him a sharp look. “Because he needs help. And we help people who need it. That’s why I do what I do. That’s why I trained you to do what I do.” Seven looked contrite, but, apparently, Jericho wasn’t done. He gave a quick look at Levi before turning to Seven once more. “Besides, your brother likes him. He trusts him. If you trust Levi, then you need to trust his judgment. Is that going to be a problem?”
“No…sir,” Seven said, flopping back onto the couch, Cree’s arm going around him to comfort him after his verbal spanking.
“Good,” Jericho said. “I’m going to pick up Atticus from his office and we’re gonna go visit Calliope and Lola to see what they can learn about Shiloh’s family.”
Calliope was the Mulvaney family hacker and Lola was her private detective girlfriend. Their collective knowledge was terrifying. If anyone would be able to learn all of Micah’s secrets, it was those two.
“Do you know his last name?” Jericho asked Levi.
Before he could answer, a voice said, “Mizrahi.”
Shiloh and Ever had returned. They stood at the foot of the stairs, Ever’s arm looped around Shiloh’s waist. They looked like the world’s most adorable chibis.
“Like the designer?” Felix asked, perking up.
Shiloh regarded Felix warily, like he was a wild animal, giving a stilted nod. “I-I guess, yeah.”
Shiloh had good instincts. Most abuse victims did. Levi would know. His mother had instilled those same instincts in him. Shiloh was right to be wary of Felix. You wouldn’t know it looking at him, but he was one of the most dangerous people Levi had ever known. That was what made him such an efficient killer. Nobody ever saw him coming.
Felix didn’t really take assignments from Jericho, though. Not anymore. The Mulvaney family had their own vigilante ring going and they had a much larger pool of enemies. Not that anyone knew it. Anyone outside of the inner circle, anyway.
Levi hoped Atticus would be willing to use the Mulvaneys to help Shiloh. Someone needed to help Shiloh, and while Levi would happily kill for him, he lacked the resources necessary to get his brother freed from prison. If there was one thing the Mulvaney family didn’t lack, it was resources.
The perks of being billionaire celebrities.
“Can I please take Shiloh home now? He needs to get some rest,” Levi asked Jericho.
Shiloh’s eyes went wide. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re exhausted,” Levi said, taking his hand and tugging him gently from Ever’s hold. When Everpouted, Levi said, “We’ll be at Jericho’s tonight. You can see him then.”
Ever brightened, giving Shiloh a smile and a tiny wave before practically skipping over to Arsen, smacking a loud kiss on his face.
“Yeah, just be at my house by six,” Jericho said. He looked at Shiloh. “Try not to talk to your brother until then. If you have to answer, be vague.”
“He won’t like that,” Shiloh said, voice raw.
“It’s okay. You’re going to call him tonight from my place.” Shiloh’s eyes widened, his fear a living thing standing with them in the garage. Jericho gently touched his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. You’ve got us now. We’ll protect you and your brother.”
Tears sprung to Shiloh’s eyes but he blinked them away, giving Jericho a nod. “Thank you.”
Levi knew Shiloh didn’t believe they could help, not really. Jericho was right; hedidbelieve his brother was some larger-than-life villain.
They followed Jericho out, then began the short walk to Levi’s and Nico’s place. Shiloh kept his head down, staring at the sidewalk, likely to keep strangers from staring at the bruises on his face.
Finally, he said, “I’m really sorry for dragging you into this.”
“It’s not your fault,” Levi said. “We can’t pick our family.”
“I doubt anyone’s family is as fucked up as mine,” Shiloh said softly.
