“Isn’t it? You sleep with her, she drugs you and runs. At the very least, it’s a blow to the ego.”
“For someone like Ruslan, maybe. I’m not angry at her. Concerned, sure. And I guess…” A deep sigh rushes up from the depths of my soul. “I thought I was getting somewhere with her. I thought she just needed to feel welcomed and cared for and she would come to me and talk. Instead, she ran again.”
Frank nods slowly. “Maybe she’s more scared than she let on.”
I nod and quickly grow distracted by the sudden buzz of my phone. “Maybe. Hold on a sec.” Pressing the phone to my ear, I take a calming breath. “Damian.”
“Bradley. I’ve been waiting for your call.”
“About?”
“You’re kidding me, right? It’s been days since we last spoke. I’ve got the Cartel breathing down my neck so close that you’re lucky I’ve even got enough teeth to talk to you right now. Please tell me you’ve got something.”
“I have a lead,” I assure him. “I’m following it as we speak and as soon as I know something, I’ll call you.”
“That’s it?”
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know,” I remind him. “I get you’re in a tough spot. Do you want me to send someone from the Suit over? Cassian’s available, or Valentina.”
“The Cartel don’t give a shit about the Suit, that’s why they’re such fucking trouble.”
“They don’t abide by us, true, but that doesn’t make them immune to our power. Say the word and I’ll send someone.”
A long silence follows and Damian sighs deeply. “No. Last thing I need is people finding out I needed guards from the Suit. I don’t need to look weak.”
“Is that really how you view us?”
“No, but you know what I mean. Fine. Call me when you can.”
“I will do. Take care.” Hanging up, I groan slightly. “I’ll never understand that. In one breath, they come to us for help, to manage the world and keep the bloodbaths out of the streets and the government turning a blind eye to everything every single family does in this state. And then in the next breath, they refuse our help because it makes them look weak.”
“It’s the collision of egos,” Frank replies. “There’s always a?—”
He’s cut off by the sudden loud wail of a police siren behind us so Frank guides the car to the side of the road, allowing ample space for the vehicle to pass. Unfortunately, it doesn’t and the sirens blare louder.
“Are they pulling us over?” I glance into the mirror, unable to make out anything other than the glare of headlights.
“I think so,” Frank replies.
“Didn’t he run our plates?” My stomach tightens slightly as Frank is forced to slow the car and pull over. Wasting time with this puts Zira even further away from me. “Idiot.”
“Guess not,” Frank remarks. The window lowers with a soft swish and we exchange a glance. “Is the mayor pissed at you?”
“Hardly. He sent Valentina flowers last week as thanks for keeping the city safe.”
Frank scoffs lightly. “Maybe her refusal to return his affection has finally driven him to the edge.”
Behind us, the police car stops, and two officers get out of each door. They mirror one another as they approach our car and then one immediately blinds Frank with an unnecessary flashlight.
“License and registration, please,” he barks.
“Geez.” Frank winces, blinking quickly. “That’s really not necessary. Run our plates.”
“License and registration,” the cop snaps again. “I won’t ask a third time, dammit.”
“Do it,” I instruct Frank. “His job loss will be worth it.”
“The fuck you say?” snaps the cop who stopped at my door. “You got something to say?”
