Page 120 of Mia

He reached in his pocket and pulled a small device from it, placing it on the table.

“Is that a bee?” I asked, squinting.

“It is. Senior put me in contact with some people to develop different kinds of portable spyware. I’m working on all kinds of shit. This is one of them. It’s a tiny camera and listening device installed. I just need the smallest opening to get into the building so I can see what’s up. It’s old and run-down, so I know it’s a broken window somewhere.”

I smiled. “Okay, first of all, you need to start sharing your wins with the family so we can celebrate you. First, you’re opening international locations for your company, now this? That’s big, Quaid.”

His big ass blushed. “I know. I just didn’t think anybody would be interested in my nerd shit outside of Jaeda.”

Steel shook his head. “That’s where you’re wrong. We fuck with you on some funny shit and all, but you’re family, Quaid. None of us understand what the hell you and Jaeda be talking about sometimes, but we all realize how essential you are to this family. We can’t work without her, and now that you’re here, we need you too.”

“He’s right,” Smoke, of all people, said. “I really just be fucking with you, but I respect the hell out of you, my nigga. That big ass brain of yours never sleeps. None of us could ever do what you or Jae do. Y’all pull information outta your ass at the drop of a dime. Nigga, you’re on an international level with this shit and people are asking you to develop spyware? You should be fucking proud.”

Daddy, Mr. and Mrs. DeLuca were all beaming with pride at Quaid. There was no mistake that they loved him.

“I promise, I’ll do better,” he said.

We continued to talk business and plans for the night while we ate.

I was anxious and ready to get this show on the road. We didn’t need to be over here any longer than we had to. Once we took care of JacQues, Paris would never see me again.

The Warehouse

Hours later, I walked into the warehouse where we were holding JacQues’ wife and kids. There they were, suspended from the ceiling by their wrists, feet dangling slightly above the ground. They all looked tired as hell, because I told the team I had watching them, not to let them fall asleep. I knew it had to be particularly hard for the wife because the bitch was good and drunk when Smoke coaxed her out of the building.

She’d already pissed herself and I could smell it on her. The daughter glared at me as I approached them. I could tell she wanted to spit on me. When I got a look at his son’s face, I had to laugh. He shared the same light complexion as me, so the bruises, busted lip, and swollen eye were visible as hell.

“Damn, my daddy and father-in-law really fucked you up, huh?”

“Fuck you,” JJ spat. “You’re gonna be sorry you ever touched us.”

“And who’s gonna make me sorry? Your daddy? That’s laughable. The only thing I’m sorry about when it comes to that son of a bitch is the fact that I didn’t kill him sooner. Now you three are gonna die right along with him because I have to prove a point.”

“I didn’t have anything to do with this,” Alissa said.

Clearly, she had sobered up.

“You let me go and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Shut up, you stupid bitch!” Jackie yelled, kicking at her. “I told my father not to marry one of his whores. All you care about is saving your own sorry ass. You’re fucking pathetic.”

“I’d rather be pathetic and alive and pathetic and dead!” Alissa turned back to me. “Please. I wasn’t a part of this.”

I smiled. “Alissa, is it?”

She nodded. “Please,” she begged. “I’ll tell you everything. He told me everything about the business. I can help you.”

I giggled. “Here’s the thing, love. Your husband told you everything so just in case he ever got caught, you couldn’t testify against him. He was covering his ass, not pillow talking, baby. When you have knowledge that a crime is being committed and you do nothing to stop it, you become just as guilty as the person committing the crime. Now, my team has done a lot of digging into your husband and this entire family, including you. I know you used to sell pussy, according to a previous arrest record. That’s how you met him, right?”

She didn’t answer, but she didn’t have to.

“Yeah, that’s it. You got lucky, though. I guess he supposedly fell in love and married you. Did you know he used to watch you?”

She frowned. “What?”

“At the brothel. He watched your performances. You see, my tech team…” I glanced over at JJ. “Real technical geniuses… they found all sorts of videos of you on your husband’s computer. You see, when you have the skill set, you don’t even have to be anywhere near a person’s computer to hack it. I’ve heard all sorts of conversations that man’s had with all three of you before I even touched down here. I also know the depth of your involvement in his business,” I said to Jacki and JJ. “So, that family that preys together, dies together.”

Jackie laughed. “Nice monologue, bitch. How long did it take you to think of that?”