“I know we’d all rather just hang out, but Schaefer has discovered some items that might impact the choices people make,” his dad said.
Everyone quieted. Halligan’s stomach clenched, waiting for whatever Schaefer had found.
“I’m going to cut to the heart of everything because there isn’t any good news. Let’s start with the big picture. The Rossellini empire has property in Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina, and Illinois. These are the legitimate ones that fall under the umbrella of Rossellini Motorsports. When I started investigating the casino, I found a couple of shell companies tied to other shell companies that led me to property in Louisiana.
“Now, the bad news. It seems that Franco isn’t happy with the state of the empire. Last night, your cousin’s top people at the casino all seemed to have tragic falls to their deaths from the roof of the casino. All five were ruled suicides within hours of the event,” Schaefer paused, and Halligan appreciated it.
It was a huge amount of information for Loni to absorb, but what worried Halligan more than her mental health was the lack of concern Franco had about being caught. His disregard forwhat anyone might think when five people fell to their deaths told Halligan that they were not dealing with someone who had a moral compass.
Loni stood up, her arms wrapped around herself, starting to pace.
“Manny’s top people were his two sons, along with his wife and two men who had worked for years with my dad and uncle. What will he do next?” Loni whispered.
Halligan couldn’t handle seeing Loni distraught. He stepped in front of her to stop her pacing and tugged her into his arms.
“We’ll get through this. You’re safe here and it’s going to stay that way,” Halligan whispered against Loni’s hair.
She trembled in his arms but then looked up at him. The determination and fire in her eyes were a good sign.
“What do I need to do to help you?” she asked.
Halligan led her over to the couch, waiting until she settled before joining her. He hoped his arm around her would calm her.
“Loni, I’m sorry for your loss. I wish I could say he stopped there but he didn’t. He torched the spa, your wing at your Gigi’s estate, and your office at Rossellini Motorsports. As of right before this meeting, my contacts have your brother still in Las Vegas, but a message came through that the airport had been notified to prepare the Rossellini jet,” Schaefer said. Schaefer worked with computers, and Halligan considered him one of the more sensitive cousins. Schaefer’s tone reeked of regret at hurting Loni. Halligan didn’t blame Schaefer; he was only the messenger. Halligan blamed her psycho brother Franco. Thinking through the best way to keep Loni safe, Halligan kept coming back to one conclusion. They would be safest here in Dodge City with reinforcements. Moving them anywhere put them at a disadvantage of not knowing the territory as well.
Loni considered herself a brave woman, but if she could, she’d crawl onto Halligan’s lap and try to forget everything. Franco had never been someone she enjoyed spending time with. His demeanor and attitude always gave Loni the feeling of being stalked. But what he was doing now was so far outside what she’d ever imagined he could do that it terrified her.
“There aren’t any races that anyone would need it for. He’s coming here, and he won’t stop until I’m either dead or in his control,” Loni said.
“He can try, but I’ll keep you safe,” Halligan said, the warmth of his arm around her providing some comfort, but Halligan was underestimating her brother.
“You can’t promise that,” she said.
Before Halligan could speak, Whiskey knelt down in front of her.
“No, he can’t, but we can promise you that we will do everything in our power to keep you safe,” Whiskey said, giving her a gentle squeeze on her knee.
Should she allow this family to risk everything for her? No, she shouldn’t, but there was so much at stake here, and they were her only option. Despite having only known Halligan for less than forty-eight hours total, he made her feel safe. The family had been warm and welcoming instead of suspicious.
She’d have to take what they offered and hope with all her heart that all of them survived her brother’s rampage.
She’d taken so long that the rest of the brothers and cousins had come to stand in front of her.
“We will protect you, Loni,” Quinton said.
Loni nodded, turning to look at Halligan.
“I’m so scared,” she whispered.
Halligan pulled her close to him until her head was cradled near his heart and his arms were around her.
“It is scary, but I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I want you to hear this in your heart, Loni. I will gladly step in front of a bullet for you if it means it will keep you safe,” Halligan whispered against her hair.
Loni sniffed, fighting the emotions flowing through her. Halligan’s words released that last little part of her that she’d been holding back from him. He was a good man, and he deserved to know the whole truth. She needed to figure out how to tell him.
Chapter Six
Halligan stood in the bedroom, hearing the shower in the en suite. He’d showered in the guest room bath. They’d spent the day planning, contacting people, and putting a plan together that they could all live with.
