He’s not wrong and that gives us more time to touch base and check in on our investments.I pull up my email for the Veiled Vixen.There’s the usual crap, but also some decisions that have to be made.We’re hiring another bartender.I spend the next few hours working.
Wyatt nudges my foot under the table and I look up to see Agents Ethan Martinez and Jacob Price walk into the shop.When they see us, they head to our table.
I close my laptop and slide it into my bag.Ethan wears his aviators inside like a cocky fucker.Jacob takes the seat across from us.The sleeves of his white dress shirt are rolled up.
“We need to know if it’s safe.”Wyatt doesn’t waste any time.He pushes the thumb drive across the table.“Have you got enough to make an arrest yet?”
Ethan sits down and meets our eyes.“You know it’s not that easy.”
“We can take Tom and Natasha into protective custody, while we get our case together.”Jacob sighs.“Even if we charge him with what we have, he’ll be back out within an hour.Money talks.”
Yeah, that’s the problem.Peter has money.
“We can protect our own,” I say.All of us have money too.And while Peter can play nice with society, these guys were born in it and I was raised in it.We have our own standing.I know some guys in security that I’ve worked with for the Veiled Vixen.
If I’d known what might happen to Sara, I would have called them in from the beginning.That little burn that Tom didn’t tell all of us the danger she was in rubs at me the wrong way again.I don’t know my clientele well, but I know some of them prefer to do business at my bar because they think they have privacy there.
To an extent they do, but I record all that shit.Maybe not audio, but video.
“What would keep him in?”I lean forward and meet Jacob’s eyes.
He rubs his jaw.“If you could prove he murdered someone, he’d be a flight risk and they probably wouldn’t release him on bail.But no one can actually pin anything on him.These white-collar crimes will put him under investigation.But the crimes won’t keep him in.And once it goes to trial if he’s found guilty, they might sentence him to some actual time.”
Maybe Natasha knows something, but I doubt she wants her father to go to prison for the rest of his life on murder charges.Maybe she does.I don’t know their dynamic.
“Even with all the information Tom and Natasha have provided and whatever you dug up on your own, what’s the likelihood we’ll ever be safe to come out of hiding?”I ask.
Wyatt sits back with his arms crossed and a thoughtful look on his face.
Ethan leans forward with his arms on his knees and his hands clasped.“There are ways to have protection.You could all come with us for witness protection.Or you could turn to a bigger boss.”
Ethan’s gaze settles on Wyatt’s.Finn’s father is untouchable by the FBI.We talked about that too.If we really wanted to put Peter in his place, Finn’s father may be the only one who could help us do it and make it unwise to fuck with us.But that puts Finn in a position he doesn’t want to be in.
In debt to his father.
Jacob taps on the table and picks up the thumb drive, pocketing it.“The guy we’re after is slippery and has eyes everywhere.”
Like saying his name will conjure him.I could give them tapes from my club, but it’s just video and it probably wouldn’t prove anything, except Peter’s known associates.
My clients pay a premium and I’m not willing to be known for voluntarily turning shit over to the Feds.If they come at me with a warrant, I’ll comply, but it’s not good business to give things away for free.
“If you change your mind about protective custody, you have our number.”Jacob stands and looks around at the café.“This place is in the middle of nowhere.It may be easier to hide in the city.”
Wyatt makes an acknowledging sound, but we both know that people will find us in the city.The Feds did and Peter did.We’re safer to sit where we are for a few more days.
Chapter35
Non Routine Transactions
Finn
The others are gone by the time I wake up.Sara is pressed against my side, still snuggled up with Dante.I run a hand through my hair.Everything I told them should keep them safe.We’ve been playing this game since we were kids.How to escape my father’s watchful eye.
I’m surprised he never figured out about this house.My father seems to know everything.
Sara turns and lays her head on my chest and wraps an arm around my waist.She’s soft and so fucking loving.I could spend days like this and never get bored.She presses a kiss to my chest.
“What’s going on?”she whispers.“You’re so tense.”
