I shake his hand with a smile. “Dorran Ledger. So glad to have met you.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, trust me,” Shawn says. “I’ve read so much about you. You’re kind of a legend among the upper-class Californians.”
I laugh again. “I’m flattered.”
“You should be.” He lets go of my hand. “So, why are you here, exactly?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Cignette is injured,” I say, then give him a brief rundown of tonight’s events. By the end of it, Shawn’s eyes have widened to the point where I’m concerned that they might pop off his head.
“Holyfuck, Dorran. Fredrick Byron isdead?” he asks, his tone incredulous.
“Sure is,” I answer.
He chuckles around a shake of his head. “Good riddance, I suppose. The man never had any respect for the law, nor did he have a single empathetic bone in his body. His son, too, ifI’m being honest. It’s a shame you let Heyman go, though. That guy is the slimiest motherfucker I know; he can weasel his way into anyone’s brain through simple threats and bribery. He’s the reason I still haven’t been able to put an end to the human meat trafficking that’s going on in the city.”
“What, did Heyman threaten you or something?”
“Worst. He made sure my team and I failed at finding a shred of evidence against his boss during my inspection at their restaurant chains a little over a year ago. Their kitchens and walk-in freezers were surprisingly void of anything suspicious; even their patrons were being served food that was, in a word:clean.”
I click my tongue. “Man, if I’d known about this earlier, I wouldn’t have let that bald banshee run free. But then again, I had to make sure he lived, since he did tell me there was someone who’d come for me and avenge his darling Fredrick.”
Shawn’s brows furrow at my admission. “The Rajvanshs, maybe?”
I lift a shoulder. “Maybe, but he seemed pretty confident in his promise. You really think the Rajvanshs would risk their necks for a partnership that now doesn’t exist at all?”
“Touché. And from what I know, Fred doesn’t have a sibling, nor does he have any immediate family members. If this person does show up, it’ll be interesting to see if he focuses on revenge alone, or will go after the Byron empire as well.”
“Eh, mafia politics,” I muse. “I’d rather stay out of it.”
“You could literally be the only reason this guy shows up, Dorran. You may have no interest in mafia politics, but being Aras’s blade tonight has already put you and your crew right in the middle of this goddamn circus.”
I lean in conspiratorially. “Should I be scared? Because news flash, Shawn:I’m not.”
He laughs. “Nah, you’re good. You have Aras by your side now. And me, too, of course. I’ll help in any way I can, should you need it.”
“I appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem at all. I’ve known Aras for quite some time now, and if he trusts you, then so do I. Besides, your reputation precedes you, so I know I’m on the right side of things.”
“I’m glad I ran into you,” I say honestly. “You’re doing wonders for my ego, and I kinda needed that tonight.”
He tips an invisible hat at me. “Any time you need a self-esteem boost, you let me know.”
I chuckle. “I’ll remember that.” I run my fingers through my curls and scratch the back of my head. “So, should we go see our girls?”
Shawn smiles. “Yes please.”
The two of us exit the bathroom, and as I reach closer to Cignette’s ICU room, Shawn excuses himself and walks over to Magner and Aras, who bump fists with him and fall into an easy conversation with him.
“I see you made a friend,” Solo says as he comes to stand next to me. “A good one, too. I’m impressed, kid.”
“He seems nice,” I tell him. “An absolute flatterer, but nice nonetheless.”
“Shawn is talented and resourceful. In our line of work, these things go a long way.”
“You know him, then?” I ask.
“I’ve heard of him from his seniors at the APD,” Solo states. “Good kid, has a wife who works a 9-to-5 job, gets a decent pay, and most importantly, he’s hella loyal to the Lutkus family. For now, that’s all that matters to us.”
