Page 140 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

Exiting the Escalade, we make our way toward the entrance, which we find already unlocked. I’m so fucking tired of people continuously letting themselves into our shit. We enter, navigating the darkened corridors until we come upon a sliver of light spilling out from under the conference room door.

I turn toward Nicky, our eyes locking as we simultaneously draw our weapons just in case. Sharing a final glance, we push in to find Alec relaxing comfortably in one of the high-back leather chairs.

“Boys,” he calmly greets us. “Those aren’t necessary.”

We stand with weapons trained on him a moment longer before relenting, holstering our pieces, and dropping into the chairs across from him.

“What are we doing here, Alec?” Nicky asks, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “We’re ready to be out.”

Alec leans forward, folding his hands on the table in front of him as he directs his attention toward me. “What if I said, you’re not out unless you give me Enzo Stingone?”

“Fuck you, Alec,” Nicky seethes. “That wasn’t part of—”

“I’m not talking to you, Nick. You’re free to go home to that pretty new wife of yours if you want to leave right now.” His gaze shifts back to me. “This question is explicitly for you, Mav. What if I told you, you give me Enzo, or your deal is void.”

A surge of anger pulses within me as I resist the urge to reach across this table and slam his fucking face down into it. But what would that get me? Nothing. This is it; this is the world. Sometimes it doesn’t matter if you hold up your end of the deal. Sometimes people do you dirty. Sometimes life backs you into a corner and makes you choose between two shitty options.

My body tenses as I consider his question, my breath hitching in my throat. I close my eyes, allowing my mind to wander to Jonsie. Memories flicker through my brain of her laugh, her smile, her scent. I picture her body curled up against mine in bed, a sight I look forward to seeing every night for the rest of our lives. I let it all in, surrounding me, washing over me like a wave of calmness.

Then I allow it to fade away.

Yuri’s a piece of shit who deserved what he got. Enzo’s an honorable boss who’s been nothing but good to me. Like I once said, I’m a fucked-up dude, but I still live by a code. If I’m going to be the best version of myself for J, then I need to be able to look in the mirror every morning. She’ll understand. Fuck, maybe she’ll even wait for me. Though I wouldn’t want that life for her.

“Well, Maverick?” Kellerman presses me for my answer. “What do you say?”

My eyes open, locking with his. “Fuck you, Alec. Charge me.”

“I’m sorry?” he questions, his brow arching.

“You heard me. Arrest me. Charge me. Do what you gotta do. But you sure as shit ain’t getting anything on Enzo from me.”

Kellerman eyes me with skepticism, leaning back in his seat. After a moment his head tilts, now coming to rest on Nicky. “And you? What if I gave you the same option, only if you give me Enzo, I will also let Mav go as a thank you for your cooperation.”

Nicky responds before I can even object. “I don’t know why you’d need me to repeat it when he speaks for both of us. But just in case you didn’t hear it the first time—fuck you, Alec. You ain’t getting shit.”

“Well, then,” Alec sighs, pushing up from his chair to stand before us, “I guess that only leaves one more thing. Come on, let’s get to it.”

Nicky and I exchange a wearied glance. Rising from our seats, we place our weapons on the table while waiting for Kellerman to cuff us.

Alec briefly glances down at our guns. “You may want those. Though to be honest, I don’t know what your personal preference is in these matters. I’d still bring them just in case.” He turns to exit the room, leaving us confused as fuck. “Come on, boys!” he calls from the hallway. “I’m not trying to be here all night!”

Nicky and I look to one another, as if silently debating our next move. Finally, my curiosity wins out, or perhaps it’s my frustration. Either way, I’m holstering my weapon before following Alec out into the hall. Glancing back, I find Nicky not far behind.

Alec stands at the end of the hall next to the basement stairs, pushing the door open as we approach. He smiles, gesturing inward. “After you.”

I eye him with reluctance, though continue on, descending to the lower level. As I enter the basement, I freeze, taking in the sight before me. Nicky approaches from behind, shoving past me since I’m blocking half the doorway.

“Mav, move out of the—” Nicky’s words die out as his eyes also come to settle on the individuals in front of us.

Alec’s the last to enter, stepping around both of us and crossing the room to assume a position beside none other than Enzo Stingone himself.

Enzo exudes all things power, but not in a flashy way like Yuri. It’s in the way he carries himself, with unwavering confidence and a sense of authority. Enzo can command a room just by stepping into it. He’s considerably older than us, most likely mid-fifties. His dark hair bares hints of silver, which he allows to peek through.

“Gentlemen,” Enzo greets us, clearly amused by our bewildered expressions.

Seeing Enzo and Alec together may be throwing me for a loop, but it’s still not what’s most shocking to me. No, that would be Luc, who’s bound and gagged to a chair in the center of the room, eyes wide with terror. What in the actual fuck is going on?

“I’m sure you have questions,” he continues.

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