“I don’t want to talk about it.”
People never turn away from me; they wouldn’t dare, and for a second I’m in unusual territory. She is staring out of the window, and yet something about the dejected slump of her shoulders lights a fire inside me as I contemplate what her stepmother did to provoke this reaction.
I catch sight of Eddie hovering nearby, and he jerks his head toward the back of the plane.
Without an explanation, I leave my latest project and head to meet him.
We move out of earshot, and he says in a low tone, “I think we got away with it. I’ve had word that Liam is desperate to find out who ambushed his plans. He’s already put out a contract with a price on the head of the man who attacked, and every lowlife on the network is searching for answers.”
“How much?”
“Three million dollars.”
I say nothing, but my jaw ticks as I contemplate the war that Liam Dettori has started.
“What about our contacts at the airport? That’s a huge temptation for them.”
“Dead.”
Eddie shrugs.
“It was inevitable. To disappear without a trace means we don’t leave any.”
I nod, grateful that Eddie is so good at his job. We work well together and always have, and he is in sync with my mind, dusting the trail behind my back, leaving no evidence that could lead back to me and the Ravera mafia. He has the authority to act without instruction, and I can’t see a time when this would change.
He nods toward Rose.
“Does she know?”
“No.” My breath comes sharp. “I’m of two minds whether to tell her the truth. It’s a lot, and she’s fresh from the altar. I doubt she’s strong enough.”
He nods. “It’s probably for the best, but it also raises two problems.”
“Her sisters.”
He exhales sharply. “To my knowledge, they leave at different times in separate cars. Liam may have missed the first target, but there are still two more moving ones.”
“I’m one step ahead of you there.”
His eyes flash, and I shake my head. “They are not our problem. Focus only on the one we are responsible for.”
“What are your instructions?”
“Enjoy the flight, Eddie, and make certain our route home is a clean one. We’ll figure out the rest when we get to Washington.”
He makes to leave, and I stop him with a low, “Tighten our defenses and keep your lines of communication open. Throw the dogs off the scent by offering a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter.”
“Any ideas?”
“Samson Malone.”
He chuckles softly. Samson Malone is a two-bit drugbaron who attempted to muscle in on our business, and he is currently being held at one of our facilities while we decide what to do with him.
“Put the word out that Malone is responsible and then cut him loose. Set up the trail that leads to his door and the evidence that will burn his soul to hell and make certain that when Liam gets his hands on him, he is in no position to talk.”
Eddie grins because shit like this is his passion, and I’m confident that by the time we land in Washington, Samson Malone’s history will be rewritten and his ending swift. Eddie will tip off one of our contacts, who will carry out the plan and pocket the reward, ensuring that we are kept out of the frame and Liam’s attention will turn to the next problem.
Eddie heads to the office we use on the plane, which is set up with computers and burner phones, enabling us to sort shit immediately, and my attention drifts toward my wife in waiting, and for a second I lean against the archway and observe. Her head is resting against the window as she gazes out over the clouds, and she appears lost, alone and completely out of her depth. I thank the god she prays to that we were successful because if Liam Dettori got his hands on her, I’m guessing he had a priest onboard ready to marry them and she would currently be suffering a fate worse than death as he consummated the marriage in the most brutal of ways.
