“If you leave, you don’t leave without at least one of my men. Understood?”
“Understood.” A beat passes. “I’m going to call Matteo and get him involved.”
Ethan exhales sharply. “I don’t want to know any more, Davenport.”
He doesn’t want to be incriminated is what he means.
“I figured. But you should know I’ll be working with him and his brothers, too.” I spot a cab approaching and lift my hand. I’m too worked up to walk home. “I have to get home to Madeline. I’ll call you later.”
“Stay safe.” The line goes dead.
Immediately, I’m dialing my good friend, Matteo.
“Buongiorno, cocksucker.”
“Matteo…I need your family’s help.”
32
Nate
“What the fuckare you talking about?” Matteo demands.
I give him the rundown, not missing one detail. “I have pictures and videos. I’m sending them to you now. I need him found, Matteo. I don’t care how it happens. I need it done.”
“Fuck…Nate.” He goes quiet, but I can hear his heavy breathing. “I’m going to figure out a way to come home and help.”
“Right here on the corner is great. Thanks.” I tap my card and step out of the taxi. “Matteo, I love you like a brother. I want nothing more than to see your ugly face.” He chuckles softly. “But if you come home, Juliette’s going to lose her mind. And if Becks finds out, you’re dead. It will cause more drama than I can handle right now.”
“Yeah. Okay,” he says, but the disappointment in his voice is unmistakable.
I know he misses New York.
I know he misses Becks even more.
And I know, better than most, what it feels like to break someone else’s heart while your own shatters in the process.
But for once, I’m putting myself first. I’m prioritizing what’s important tome.
And that’s Madeline.
“My brother already texted me back.”
“Who, Lucian?”
“Yeah, he’s the only one in New York right now. He’s already got my cousins involved; they’ll handle this. Did you call Ethan? You need protection just in case.”
“Called him first. He’s sending over three guys for now. Hopefully, more tomorrow.”
“Good. Any ideas as to what this is about?”
“No fucking clue.” I scrub a hand down my face. “I don’t have psycho exes like Harrison or Leo. Maybe a few pissed-off clients over the years, but no one I can think of who’d go this far.”
“Nate.” I look up to find Benny standing in front of my building, waiting for me with his arms in the air. “What the hell, man?”
“I gotta go. I’ll keep you posted, and Matteo?”
“Don’t say the rest of that sentence. I already know…do whatever it takes.”
