“Ethan mentioned to me that the woman—the house manager—Freida has a soft spot for Wren. I had him look into her, and then I reached out.”
“What the fuck, Mav?” I snap. He could have completely compromised our cover. “That’s a move you makeafterconsulting everyone!”
“I know!” he huffs, “But…I couldn’t risk her not helping and breaking Wren’s heart in the process. Imagine how she would have felt if I told her the one person who had shown her any sort of kindness refused to help her live a happy life?”
My jaw clenches. He has a point. I just wish he would have filled us in first.
“And I know you, you think I should have told you anyway.” Maverick gives me a look, and I can’t help my expression of surprise. What, the fucker can read my mind now? “But I felt guilty enough not telling her what I was up to, I didn’t need you all to feel that way as well. Especially when she finds out I hid it from her.”
“So…what?” I huff. “She agreed?”
He nods. “She agreed. She was in the room when the money was exchanged, as well as when Francesco Messina declared that she belonged to Pack Caruso now.”
“Do we need to extract her?” I ask, cracking my knuckles.
“No,” he shakes his head, “it actually works out that we’re leaving today. Tuesdays are her night off to go visit her son. We’ll stop by his house and pick them both up. The Messinas won’t realize until tomorrow morning that something is up.”
“Does she have any other family that could be in danger?”
“She says she doesn’t.” He shrugs. “Husband passed away years ago, her son is her only family.”
“Got it.” I sigh, looking out the window as we pass through the trees.
“We’ll drop her off with Santino, and he’ll get her relocated with the understanding that she’ll be expected to testify if this ever goes to court.”
“What about the families Wren told us to look into? Rossi and Bianchi?”
Maverick grins. “We have such a smart girl. With those names, Ethan was able to dig up some interesting numbers. Those families are responsible for selling the drugs that the Messinas produce. Turns out, they’ve been over-charging these two families for the drugs. They have a contract that states the Messinas sell the supply to Rossi and Bianchi for a ten percent markup of what it costs to make them. Well, Ethan dug deeper into the financials and production records…they’re adding a charge of twenty-five percent on top of what it cost to produce the supply.”
“I bet the Rossis and Bianchis would be very upset to learn about that.” I grin.
“So we’ve got them backed into a corner,” Maverick agrees. “As soon as we get Freida away and safe, we can make our first move.”
Chapter 33
Ethan
“You’re too stiff, Dove,” Teddy chides from the back seat. “You gotta really let those neck muscles loose to get in a proper ‘ead bang.”
I smirk at Wren in the front seat next to me, who tries throwing her head forward again. “Like this?”
She laughs when her sunglasses fall off and land in her lap.
I don’t mind Teddy’s music, but I’m more of a techno guy myself. Though nothing beats classical when I want a peaceful drive.
“I feel like this is a good way to end up at a chiropractor,” she laughs, fixing her sunglasses back onto her face.
“Ah, don’t worry Dove.” Teddy pats her shoulder. “You’ll get there eventually.”
“If I don’t sprain something first.” She smirks, running a hand down her braid to smooth it out after all the head banging.
“Nah,” he grins, leaning forward so his lips brush her ear, “remember howflexibleyou are?”
She flushes the prettiest pink color before glaring at him. “Teddy.”
“Dove.” He smiles, before reaching up and wiggling my shoulder. “Ethan don’t mind. ‘E knows he’ll be sinkin’ inta that sweet pussy soon enough.”
I’m more than aware that I’m the only one who hasn’t taken that final step with her yet. It doesn’t bother me necessarily, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less eager.
