Javi grumbles as he takes out a thumb drive and tosses it at me. I catch it automatically. Raising an eyebrow, I wait for him to give me some sort of explanation. He rolls his eyes at me, before staring at Ely. When she waves her hand in permission, he turns back to face me.
“We identified one of our traitors. Not the main one, I’m still searching. However, that’s where we found the interesting intersection between what we’re going through and what you have hidden. Granted, most people will say anything when being…actively encouraged, but I take care to minimize that. After all, torture is an artform.” He shrugs as if it means nothing, and maybe for him it doesn’t. Still, it turns my stomach.
“We expect recompense.” Daniel’s hard voice cuts into my thoughts.
Jude scoffs. “You’ve already been given more than enough for the assistance you’ve given us. I have no plans to give you more. I’ll pass it along to the Council, with my recommendation.”
Ely laughs, drawing Daniel’s attention. With a smile, she shakes her head. “He has you there, Daniel. We agreed and have been paid handsomely for the original terms. Regardless of what’s happened, this doesn’t change those terms. Now, if they’d like additional help…”
“Then that, of course, would be more,” Daniel finishes, smugly. I want to point out that Ely isn’t acquiescing to him, but I know to leave that shit alone.
I tuck the thumb drive into my pocket, grunting an acknowledgment, but making no promises. With a heavy sigh, I stare at Javi. “Very well. If we need you, who do we ask for? I assume just Javi wouldn’t cut it…”
“Oh, I have several names.” His voice slithers around me. “But I suppose you could ask for Dr. Graves. The guard will give you a card on the way out. Although Ely always knows how to reach me.”
I have so many questions, but I keep them silent. For now, all that matters is getting Marcus and Antonio home. We can try to figure out the mystery of Javi later—and exactly what type of fucking doctor he is, if it’s even true. Given his amusementat my reaction, I have a sinking feeling he’s not lying.Shouldn’t doctors take an exam to test for sanity?
Turning toward Marcus, I offer him my hand, letting him put his full weight on me. Jude scoops Antonio up easily, and he doesn’t make a single complaint. With a labored grunt, I nod my thanks toward our…hosts, as I follow Jude out of here. As we leave, I can feel the heavy weight of Javi’s stare like it's an itch between my shoulder blades.Fuck. Capturing his attention does not seem wise.
We help buckle our men in, and it’s only when we hit our territory that I breathe easier. There’s a lot to figure out, to discuss, but at least I have part of my soul back.Now we just need to figure out how the fuck he was targeted…
“Well, Dr. Javi Graves is an actual medical doctor—a psychiatrist to be exact,” Leandro says. “Interesting.”
More like terrifying.I’ve only heard his voice, but there’s an edge to it that has all my alarm bells ringing.
“I’m sending his name to H to do a deeper dive; he has the time that I don’t for it. See how far from the crazy tree this guy is.”
“Good idea,” I mutter. I’m going to need to buy an entire distillery at this point for all the extra work we’re throwing his way, but it’ll be worth it.
“Do you think there’s actually a traitor?” Leandro asks.
I stop what I’m doing for a moment to look over at him. Though he makes no indication he’s aware of my attention, I can practically feel his anticipation of my answer.
“Yes,” I finally say with a sigh. “Do I think it’s you? No, I don’t. Despite the trouble you’ve gotten up to over the last year, I don’t think you’re a bad person. You’ve had plenty of opportunities over the years to fuck us over. Are you grounded until eternity? Yes, but you knew that was going to happen. Plus, whatever punishment the Council comes up with. Besides, the Martellis aren’t going to trust you anytime soon, but we don’t need them to. Just don’t give them an excuse to see you as the enemy.”
“Don’t worry about that; I’m not.” The sureness in his voice is worrisome, but his friendship with Lio isn’t something I want to get into. Especially not when I know he meant what he said—he’d never purposefully put Lio or Roman in a position to get hurt.
Leandro’s circle of trust is small, but when he lets you in, that’s it, nothing else will change his mind. The Martellis may not like it—or him—but Lio is probably safer under Leandro’s overbearing surveillance than anywhere else.
Keeping an eye on where Jude and the others are, I only wait a few minutes after they return before pushing back from my desk.
Heading to the medical wing, I find where Doc and Dr. Ranlen are looking Marcus and Antonio over. “Everything okay?” I ask.
“No, come right on in, we’re not trying to work or anything,” Doc grumbles.
“It went fine. Don’t think we can expect any extra help from the gang, for multiple reasons, but the time for calling in outside help has passed,” Jude answers.
I hum in agreement. “That’s fine. We still have the Bratva to pull from if we need to, though I’d rather not.”
“Here,” Keegan says. I turn to him and catch the USB he tosses at me. “That guy…Javi, gave this to us. You heard what he said?”
“It’s why I came down here, yes. We really need to have the Council look at the budget and get bodycams. Not having eyes on you was…stressful.”
“I’m fine, Hol,” Jude says.
Shoving the USB into my pocket, I walk further into the room, right up to my Little Lamb…who’s gone from the wolf in sheep’s clothing to having a place in this lions’ den of ours. I couldn’t be prouder of him for coming into his own—doesn’t mean I’m not going to put him under me every chance I get.
Jude’s eyes darken when I get a fistful of his hair and pull him in, close enough that I can lower my voice and feel the heat of him at the same time.
