Page 45 of The Hitman's Vice

“It’s kind of funny when you say it all atonce like that.”

“That’s not even all of it!”

Dane laughed. “I’m aware.”

“Well, you’re gonna love the next part. Youhave to go back.”

“I know. Duro is still picking upinventory.”

“You can’t wait for that. He’s got, uh,someone called Megan McClay? Dad said you’d know who she is. Guessthat’s what Ashlyn called him about. She’s some kind of cousin?Seriously, I swear old-money clans are related to fuckingeveryone.”

“Shit.” Megan was with the Crows. And shemeant something to Ryan. If she was gone now, that meant Ryan andthe Crows were going hunting.That ends in a bloodbath.. “Mybag’s still packed. I’ll head straight there.” Wouldn’t be hard tomeet up with Duro.Just got to hope he hasn’t killed the girlalready.

Ethan leaned over Dane, knocking on thewindow to alert the driver. The guy must have known what thatmeant, because he wasted no time walking around the car and gettinginto the driver’s seat. “We’ll be at your place in fifteenminutes,” Ethan explained. “Which is just the right amount of timeto talk about my sister. And don’t ask which one.”

Dane’s stomach lurched.

“Hannah never was good at keeping shit fromme.”

Bile worked its way up Dane’s esophagus.“Not sure what you want me to say.”

“Nothing. I want you to listen.”

****

ZARA

Chicago, Illinois, October 1

“Eight more days.” Joey’s milk-chocolategaze warmed as they stepped into the sunlight. The breeze carriedcocoa and sugar scents as sweet as his expression. Zara lookedaway, focusing on the flower beds Grandma De Lucca tended everyday. The De Lucca’s house was as grand as her father’s—though alittle younger— built in the glory days of Capone and Moran. Zarastudied the pale stone facade, wondering if it was too much to askthe whole thing to collapse on top of her.

“Eight days,” she echoed. Joey squeezed herhand.

“I know you’re freaked out. So am I. Butwe’ll figure it out. I promise this won’t be anightmare.”

It already is.Zara made herself lookinto his eyes and smile. Joseph was a cinnamon roll compared to hisuncles and grandfather, but she didn’t doubt his sincerity. Hewasn’t a monster. She’d probably be happier than Hannah once herheart stopped bleeding for Dane Ryan.He chose the job. ChoseDad. He chose everything except me. Stop being fuckingpathetic.“I know. I trust you, Joey. I’m just completelyexhausted from the planning.”

His hand slid up Zara’s arm to her elbow,guiding her toward the gazebo at the far end of the yard. “Are yousure that’s all?”

“There are a million other things.” Zarasighed. She settled onto a bench near the gazebo’s steps. “Butthose aren’t your problems.”

“They will be in eight days.” His lipsthinned. “And I think you’re being polite. You’re always so damnpolite.”

Her brow quirked. “That doesn’t sound like acompliment.”

“I generally appreciate that trait, I swear.But right now? Not so much.” A frown scrunched Joey’s features,making him look twenty years older. For that passing second, shecould almost see his grandfather in him. “You know, don’t you?” heasked quietly, sitting beside her. He didn’t take her hand thistime, and his own twisted in his lap like he wanted to strangle hishesitation.

“Know what?” When he didn’t answer, shescowled. “What are we talking about?”

Joey’s head fell, and his shoulders bowed.“Me and Gia.”

“Oh.” Zara inhaled, counted to three.Exhaled. “Yes. I know something about it.”

Joey coughed, sweeping a hand through hissandy hair. “Well, it’s over.”

She glanced back at the house. “Is that whywe’re out here? I thought you wanted to show me the newfountains.”

“They’re trashy. Mom’s got terrible taste.”He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

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