Nico’s brows raised. “What? How? What about Amy?”
“The Red Lotus Clan did what they promised. Adam and August took what was left of him to the representatives.”
“How do you know they killed him?” Nico asked.
“Adam stuck around to ensure they did. It wasn’t a pretty end for him. By the time they were finished, all his insides were on the outside. Avi’s still pouting that he missed it.”
“And Amy?” Nico asked.
Mal looked at Jericho again. “That’s slightly more complicated.”
“What does that mean?” Nico asked.
“When we explained to her the deal we made for her return, she panicked. She said they would kill her when they didn’t need her anymore because she knew too much. Thomas brokered a phone meeting between the Dai Lo and Amy where she ratted out Leo and his gambling venture in exchange for being cut free. Needless to say, Leo is already on a flight back to Hong Kong.”
“What about Frankie?” Nico asked.
“From what I hear, the Dai Lo left him in charge of the gambling halls, but the counterfeiting operation is done,” Jericho said.
“Amy and Casey just get to live their lives now?” Nico asked, shoulders sagging in relief.
Mal nodded, picking up Nico’s hand and kissing the back of it.
“There’s something I still don’t understand,” Nico said.
Mal tilted his head to look at Nico in that cat-like way of his. “What’s that?”
Nico shook his head. “Why did Amy think Jason was holding Casey somewhere?”
Jericho shrugged. “Because he told her he was and she wasn’t willing to risk her only child by questioning him.”
“But then why did Jason have his guys beat you up and claim they were looking for Amy?” Nico asked.
“According to those morons he sent to jump me, he wasn’t looking for Amy,” Mal explained. “He was looking for Casey. He suspected we had her. His henchmen just didn’t know the girl’s name because Jason’s dumb ass never told them.”
“I’m gonna take off,” Jericho said. “I told Freckles I’d grab the kids today. Let me know when they discharge you.”
“Okay,” Nico said, giving him the realest smile he could muster and a thumbs up. Once they were alone, Mal stood. “You’re not leaving, too. Are you?” He hated how panicked he sounded. “I mean, it’s obviously okay if you have work or whatever. Never mind, I’m just still…”
“Do you really think I would leave you, Fidget?” Mal asked, moving to the bed, carefully shifting wires and cords out of his way to slip into bed beside him and pull him into his arms. “I haven’t left since you were admitted. Thomas had to call in a favor because I was breaking the rules by overstaying visiting hours.”
Nico smiled. “I’m pretty surethisis against the rules.”
“Yeah, and scandalous, too,” Mal said. “I had to tell them I was your brother so they’d let me stay.”
Nico barked out a laugh, then instantly regretted it. “Oh, God. It’s going to be embarrassing having to explain this.”
“Why explain?” Mal said, snuggling him closer, kissing his cheek.
“Because I don’t want them thinking my family tree doesn’t fork?” Nico yelped.
Mal shrugged. “Just don’t get hurt anymore and we’ll never have to see them again.”
Nico shook his head but dropped the issue, snuggling deeper into Mal’s hold. “Jericho looked tired.”
“Well, nearly stomping a man to death takes something out of you. I don’t think I’ve seen him that angry. He usually looks so…calm.”
“I vaguely remember him kicking Jason,” Nico recalled.
