Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I wanted to chastise him and order him to take better care of himself, but that was none of my business. I wasn’t here to worry about his self-care routine.
“Don’t you have people to go through things and analyze them for you? I thought you were just the hot playboy front man for this place.”
Rafe scowled at me as he threw a file down on the desk. Apparently, I’d hit a nerve. “I am way more than people give me credit for.”
I held up my hands. “I figured that out last night.”
He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You’ll find out a hell of a lot more if you cross me.”
“I’m here because I want to work together, because we’re going to bring down Ivanov and what’s left of his fucking organization.”
Rafe nodded. “Fuck right we are. I can’t use the people I normally would because I would have to tell my family I’m working with a fucking G-man, and I only know his first name.”
“You don’t need to know any more.”
“So you know me, my family history, every crime we’ve been accused of, but I get nothing.”
“You already know enough to put me in danger.”
“You were in danger the moment you stepped foot in my casino with these plans in your head.”
“I know. I’ve taken a big risk and ignored advice, and you’ve done the same now. We’re in this together. So what have you got?” I moved around his desk and flipped one of the files open.
Anger sparked in his eyes, and he snatched it from me. “We need to establish how this is going to work.”
“We’re going to find a suspect, and we’re going to interrogate them, maybe use a little torture, maybe kill them afterwards. Isn’t that the usual MO?”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a fucking movie.”
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
He huffed. “I’ve got a list of employees. I need to look into more. But the details are mine to know. You get names and assignments, that’s all.”
“You don’t want me looking into the casino’s finances?”
He huffed. “I don’t want you here at all.”
“Really. You seem to enjoy having me there last night.”
“If this mission wasn’t hanging over my head, I would’ve spent the rest of the night using you up, then spitting you out, and sending you on your way.”
“Is that what you do with all your hookups? Is that why you’re rarely with anyone twice?”
“That’s none of your fucking business.”
“The back of your throat was my business.”
Rafe came after me, wrapped a hand around my throat, and pushed my head against the chair. “Shut the fuck up. Either we’re working on this together, or you’re a dead man.”
“We can’t part ways amicably?”
“You knew better than that before you suggested this. Once you’re in, you’re in. And if you fuck up, you’re dead.”
“I could say the same goes for you.”
He shook his head. “You know that’s not how it works.”
“Yeah, yeah. Your family will run to your rescue. They’ll kill me, and it won’t matter.”
“Exactly.”
I smiled. “At least you’re not denying it.”
“So if you know the stakes, what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Ivanov took one of my informants. He… hurt him, then killed him afterward. He threw the body in an alley where I used to meet him. This is personal for me too.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry.”
I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. “It’s… just don’t push me out.”
22
RAFE
My phone rang, and I glanced down. Xavier’s number flashed on the screen. Of all the fucking times to call me. I couldn’t ignore him though.
I looked up at Zach. “You’re in. Now, don’t make a sound while I take this call.”
“Hello. What’s wrong?”
“Does something have to be wrong for me to call?”
“Um… I assumed so.”
“One day, I’ll call just to talk and shock you. I have proof that Ivanov is back in the country.”
“Oh, shit. I guess you’ve already told Remington.”
“Actually, I called you first. If the casino is Ivanov’s way to get to your family, I thought you should have priority. Any new leads?”
I glanced at Zach, and he raised his brows, but I didn’t dare ask him the question. “Nothing concrete. A few suspects. You are going to call Remington next, right? Because I…”
“I thought you wanted to prove yourself.”
“I do, but—”
“Then do it. My courier is bringing you more information about what I learned. When the time is right, you’ll tell the rest of your family what they need to know.”
Was he serious? “Why are you…”
“Why do I trust you?”
“Yeah.”
“You’ve never given me a reason not to.” He said like it was so fucking obvious.
“But my brothers—”
“Are your older brothers, and Remington is not good at delegating.”
“He’s better than he used to be.” Why was I defending him?
Xavier chuckled. “He’s got to delegate some things, or he wouldn’t be able to spend time with Henri. That would be unacceptable.”