His eyes find mine, testing for a reaction.
I give him nothing. “What was it?”
“No clue.” Ilya’s gaze never leaves mine as he wipes the blood from a wicked meat cleaver and places it at the end of a row of knives. “Benny just said that MJ had a valuable lead.”
“Valuable?” Genuine astonishment fissures my control. Sounds like the lead was based on bullshit. “That could mean anything.”
“Exactly.” He rolls his watery blue eyes to indicate his own disbelief. “He’d have done better trying to sell that story to Hollywood. We told him to get lost. Little bitch said he was going to the Falcones next. Like that’s a threat.” His laugh is dismissive. “Loser. Glad someone dropped him.”
“Is that all?” Surely there must be more.
The air shifts as the door opens behind me.
“That’s it. I stopped listening once I knew he was full of shit.” Ilya peers over my shoulder, flat chin jutting up. “Once again, congrats on the engagement. But I’ve got work to do.”
“I appreciate the help.”
I leave without another word, passing one of Ilya’s men as he hovers just inside the door.
Maybe Benny was a liar, but even rumors can get people killed.
Which means my next target is clear.
ALEXEI
By ten that night, I know all about Gio Falcone’s routine.
Where he lives. Which gym he frequents. What time he gets his cappuccino. Which barista he flirts with. The information flows in through my network, surveillance photos, credit card records, and traffic cam footage. The modern world leaves no hiding places for men like us. We exist in shadows, yes, but a thousand digital eyes capture those shadows.
Which is why I never stick to a predictable schedule.
The next morning dawns chilly and gray. I park across from Gio’s preferred coffee shop. The neighborhood is upscale, old money Chicago posing as New York.
Gio arrives at seven-fifteen, dressed down in pricey designer casual.
I observe through the window as he orders and flirts.
When he exits with his cup in hand, I block his path. “Gio. Fancy running into you here.”
His mouth gapes open before a wide smile spreads across his face like oil on water. “What a surprise.” He claps my shoulder,all fake cordiality and exaggerated joy. “Alexei fucking Kozlov! Good to see you, man. It’s been a while.”
I force myself to return the smile and play this game of feigned amity. “Been busy.”
“I heard. Engaged, man. That’s huge.” He sips his cappuccino, foam clinging to his upper lip. “Who’s the lucky lady?”
“Someone special. Listen, I’m trying to track down some information about a guy. Benny Parker. Ever talk to him?”
Confusion flickers across Gio’s face a beat too slowly. “Benny?”
I examine every micro-expression. “He was MJ’s cellmate in prison.”
“If you say so. Is this family business? Sorry, Lexei. Never met the guy.” Gio sips more of his cappuccino. “Who said I knew him?”
His voice is just a shade too casual.
I shrug. “Word on the street is he wanted to sell you information.”
“Ah. The street.” Gio nods sagely. “Well, they got it wrong this time.” He claps my shoulder again. “Though I am sorry about your brother. That was rough. If you ever need to talk…”
