“You’re not bulletproof.You’re not bombproof—”
“I’m as close as you’re going to get, babe.”He returned his attention to the phone call.“Call me when you have actionable intel.”
“Where are you going?”Dean asked.
His jaw set.He didn’t know yet but didn’t plan to share.“Gotta figure that out.”
Callum ended the call and tossed the device into the cup holder.
“I liked things better when I hung out at libraries, and no one bothered me.”She pressed her fingers to her temples.“I can’t figure out why anyone would want to kill me.”
“They’re trying to keep you from that meeting.Which means we need to get you there in one piece for this to end.”
She nodded.
He ran a hand over the back of his neck.Who else would be interested in what Grace had to say to the federal attorneys?“What can you tell me about Marino that I don’t already know?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Think.What haven’t you said?”
“He probably has piles of money stored in offshore accounts.He doesn’t like animals.No pets.No real friends.Just associates.His fingers are in so many types of businesses.I’ll always be convinced he’s somehow associated with the Mafia or something.You know all this.”
He did.
His phone rang.That was awfully fast for actionable intelligence.
She checked the screen.“Oh, no.It’s Hayden.”
He let out a breath.Talk about bad timing.Callum needed to give him answers, and all he had were more problems.“We might as well get this over with.”He answered on speakerphone.“Your timing is on point.You’re on speaker.Grace is here.”
Hayden laughed.“One of my many talents.Gracie, how are you?”
She almost whimpered.“Never a dull moment lately.I’ll let Callum explain.”
Callum gave Hayden a quick and dirty rundown that left his closest friend speechless for long enough that Callum worried Hayden had stopped what he was doing and was trying to come home to kill him.“We’ve got it under control.”
“The fuck you do.”
“Actually, we do,” Grace snapped.“Don’t act like you could have done anything for me that Callum hasn’t.”
“Easy,” Callum whispered under his breath.“Hayden’s worried.”
“Yeah, well, I’m… I don’t know what I am.But the sentiment stands.”
“Cal—”
“Hayden Gregory, do not ignore what I just said.”
“I’m not ignoring you, but don’t tell me it’s under control if you just left a situation wherethe goddamn house blew up.”
Callum checked the mirrors and didn’t know how long brother and sister would battle it out.He’d let them exchange a few more jabs.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.I’m going to hang up if you don’t hear me: Callum saved my life.End of story.The only thing you need to say is thanks.”
After an awkward pause, Hayden added, “All right.You’re heard loud and clear, little sis.”
“You didn’t say thanks.”
