“We can secure that one,” Nash promises.“I have men already in place.”
I nod.
For the next hour, all of us pick apart the plan before we reach an agreement.
“You have men in Dallas?”I ask the Hawkeye representative.
“And at the airports.”Hawkeye’s second-in-command, Inamorata, nods.“There won’t be a single Russo goon getting anywhere near Houston without your knowledge.”
I nod.
Hawkeye is a trusted ally.Better than almost anyone, he understands high-value target risks.
We use their services whenever we need extra manpower.And their monitoring devices are made by Julien Bonds himself.Only the best for the Moretti family.
Tomorrow we don’t have to worry only about Valentina’s potential abduction.We need to be prepared to protect my brother from an assassination attempt.
Nash answers a few more questions.Then the meeting ends.
When the door is closed, silence shrouds us again.
Matteo stands.“I still think this is a fucking disaster waiting to happen.”
“Noted.”After glancing at my father’s portrait, I look at him again.
Nothing will convince me to change my course of action.
Maybe I am a fool.
A reckless one.
Nico pours us each a whiskey.
My brother lifts his glass in my direction.“You’d better not be wrong.”
After I leave, Adriano looks at me.“Where to, boss?”
“The Braes.”I can’t go home.To her.To temptation I’m not strong enough to withstand.
The drive to my club is a blur of city lights streaking past.
I respond to a few emails and try not to allow memories of her to filter through my brain.
But she’s there, every taste, every sound, replaying like a torment.
Why the fuck am I so hung up on her?
Goddamn it.
Once I’m inside the exclusive club, I stride straight toward the familiar escape of the bar.
Cullen Cresthaven is there, nursing a scotch, his usual polished facade cracked just a bit—tie loosened, eyes distant.
I slide onto the stool next to him, signaling the bartender for a whiskey.
“Rough night?”Cresthaven’s voice is dry, laced with irony as he glances at me.
“You could say that.”I take a swig, the slow, smooth burn grounding me.
