Page 72 of City of Wind and Lies

Jab, hook, jab.

I can feel the skin on my knuckles split as Belluci and Trey's faces blur into one. The combo drills I was working through go out the window as I let my fists fly freely against the leather bag.

My chest heaves as sweat rolls into my eyes and I take a step back to grab a towel. I drag it down my face, draping it over my shoulder as I see my phone lighting up with message. I can't help but hope it's from Wren. She's been radio silent since Friday night, and I'd be a damn liar if I said it wasn't taking a shit ton of willpower not to text her. I said I'd give her space, but I'm already considering driving over to Drea's, throwing her over my shoulder, and taking her home to fuck into submission.

Disappointment washes over me to see it's only Rocco.

Rocco

I've got news.

In the gym.

Glancing at the clock, I see it's almost six in the morning, Rocco's normal gym time. Usually, I'd meet him here, but since Wren came into my life, I've been getting in plenty of cardio. Without her presence, though, I’m too goddamn wired to sleep. Drinking until I passed out for a second night in a row just seemed pathetic, so I came down here at four a.m. like a true psychopath to try to work it out.

The gym is only two floors from the penthouses in the Monarch building, so Rocco should be here in no time. Putting my phone back on the bench, I toss the towel down and go back to combo drills.

"Your guard's slipping," Rocco says as he strides across the gym.

"If you hit hard enough, you don't need to protect your face."

He slides his duffle bag off his shoulder. "Haven't seen you down here this early for a while."

"Couldn't sleep," I shrug, walking over and dropping down onto the wooden bench beside the boxing area.

He hums in response as I twist the cap off my water bottle and take a generous drink, waiting for him to elaborate on his text.

"So, the tech guys were able to get a few things off that phone we found at the hangar."

"And?"

"Wasn't much in the way of personal data being a burner and all, but whoever was using it was turning it on and off, so we've got about a dozen locations it pinged at. Each of the locations pinged multiple times over the last few months, and half of them were in Belluci's territory."

"Any specifics on the locations that give away an owner?" I ask.

"No. Mostly apartment buildings, warehouses, bars, and places like that. It did light up near the 708 club and the hangar of course."

That piques my interest. Belluci's been slithering around the club for a while now, so it makes sense he'd have some of his men keeping an eye on it. But who? I stroke my chin, weighing out my options. My beard's past the mild stubble it used to be. Wren told me she likes it longer for the same reason I like her long hair- easier to grab and tug.

"You got plans today?" I ask.

"Just dinner at Ma's tonight."

"After breakfast, I want to scout out that list. See if anything sticks out at those addresses and we can assign guys to keep an eye on them if we think it's worth it."

"Got it," he nods, crouching down to tie his shoe.

I fish my phone from my pocket, clicking the side button. Still no new messages, damn.

"You headed back up?" he asks, straightening to stand.

"Yeah," I sigh, pocketing my phone and pushing to my feet.

He tips his head toward the weight benches. "I could use a spot if you've got time."

"Sure," I mumble. It’s not like I've got anything, or anyone better to be doing this morning.

We start loading weight plates onto the bar, and he sinks onto the bench and twists around to face me. "You going to tell me the real reason you were down here so early, or are you going to just stew in silence?"

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