Zoe gave him time to digest everything.
“I don’t know how, but I’m going to spend my life making it right for you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You still want to stay with me after everything I told you?”
“You did nothing wrong.” Jack flicked his eyes off the road and they gleamed with fierceness. His lips went thin. “My only regret is the bastard isn’t alive, so I could cut his dick off and make him eat it.”
Zoe’s lips twitched. That was probably one of the nicest things he’d ever said to her. She peeked over her shoulder at Erina who watched them with dark, uncertain eyes.
“Now you understand why I can’t let you send her back?” Zoe said.
Jack’s hand rested on her thigh.
“Don’t worry.” He glanced into the rearview at the girl. “I won’t send her back, unless she wants to go.”
Erina grinned broadly and Zoe couldn’t help but smile back.
Chapter 24
Jack yawned, turned down the tunnel, and stopped at the yellow line. Fluorescents lit the dingy underground parking and a four-foot graying poster listed the outrageous hourly prices. His brother, Jase, parked behind him a minute later.
The elderly garage attendant, Sam, gave a big toothless grin and shuffled over. “Welcome home, Mr. Fialko. Will you need help with your bags?”
“Yes, and call my driver. I’ll be back down in fifteen minutes.” Jack stretched the cramp in his leg.
“Sure.” Sam nodded. “Detective O’Brien is waiting in the lobby.”
“Thank you.” Jack handed Sam his keys with a twenty.
In the backseat, Erina bounced up and down, waiting for him to release the child locks. She hopped down in a flash and ran to Jase who gave her a stick of gum.
Jack opened Zoe’s door. She smiled seductively and waited for him to help her down. He obliged and let her body slowly slide the length of his. He gave her waist a tight squeeze.
“That's me. Number Eight-Fifty.” He pointed to his co-op.
Jase came up behind them, his phone in his hand. “The lawyers are all pitching a hissy-fit about moving our money into the Caymans. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Someone more powerful than me is out there. Clan law hasn't changed. If I die, winner takes all.”
“That kind of shit won’t hold up in court,” Jase said tightly.
“If you don’t abide, all the clans will rise up. We’d do the same. We’ve talked about this for years.”
“I never thought it would happen.” Jase frowned and his eyebrows furrowed. “Fuck, you're my brother. I don't want to lose you.”
A doorman held the door open. Zoe’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. Jack couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t wait to spoil her rotten. Give her everything she’d ever desired.
“I don't want to lose me either. I’m just taking precautions. Most everything you can buy back legally when I’m gone. It’s the charity money I worry most about.” Jack slapped his younger brother on the back. “C’mon. There’s O’Brien.”
Detective O’Brien sat in one of six overstuffed chairs in the lobby. He rose with the grace of a cat. “There’s my favorite student.”
Jack braced for the solid pat on the back that would’ve sent most men sliding to the wall. When it came, he laughed. He gave an almost equal one back.
“It’s great to see you, Liam. Meet my mate, Zoe, and you know my brother, Jase.” Jack gave a small nod to the girl. “And this is Erina.”
Despite O’Brien’s dark, good looks and sensual demeanor, he held himself with a sense of detachment. But when his gaze landed on the girl, his blue eyes softened, and he gave her a genuine smile.
After signing them in at the desk, Jack walked them to the elevator, and pressed eight. He said to Zoe, “Liam is my martial arts instructor. Has been for years. He’s also JTTF.”
