Page 14 of Avenging Kelly

“Three weeks’ supply,” I faintly heard in the background.

“We got three weeks. Find us somewhere to hunker down while we figure this shit out,” Dal demanded.

I knew that tone in his voice, though I’d rarely ever had it directed at me. Something was definitely wrong.

“Got it,” I answered before the line went dead.

I walked back over to where Ryan had been sitting, but he was gone. His cup of coffee was sitting on a napkin on the bench, and I saw handwriting hidden by the bottom of the cup.

Dr. Frances Ritchfield. Be very careful. Don’t roll craps.

I worried that was an understatement.

* * *

As I considered my options, I knew who I had to call for guidance—Gabby.

“Hey, Narc. What’s up?” he answered, a smile in his voice.

There was a baby crying in the background, and it was then that I remembered Gabby was officially on paternity leave. Romeo Carrington Torrente had made his debut a few weeks ago, premature and underweight, but he came from strong stock, so I knew the kid would be fine.

I’d gotten a group text from Duke earlier that Gabby and Dex had brought Baby Romeo home from the hospital, and Gabby wasn’t to be contacted under any circumstances. I’d clearly fucked that up.

“I’m sorry for calling you. How’s the baby?” I asked, trying not to seem like the stupidest man on the planet. How fucking inconsiderate could I be?

“He’s getting a bath, and I think his balls are trying to climb up into his gut to stay warm. I’m turning up the thermostat,” Gabby sort of yelled.

“Eff you,” I heard Dexter respond before Gabby laughed.

“What’s going on, Narc? You sound tense,” Gabby asked.

“Hello, London. How are you?” Dex called out. I felt like a fucking heel for bothering them. They clearly had other things going on.

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry to call and bother you. I forgot about Romeo’s arrival. Congratulations to both of you. I’ll call Dom,” I replied.

I heard the background go quiet and the snick of a door closing. “What’s really going on? Tell me,” Gabby insisted.

“I need a place to hide Kelly Brown. Things aren’t going well. They’re headed south like a flock of geese in the fall. I don’t wanna tell you anymore. I just need somewhere he can’t be found until we can get a handle on the situation. I’ll work it out,” I assured him.

“Look, call Uncle G. He’s got safe houses all over the world,” Gabby suggested.

“I will. Thanks, Gabby. I’ll keep in touch with Casper. Take care of that sweet boy. I can’t wait to meet him,” I said as I ended the call.

I rushed to the parking garage and hopped into my SUV to go home, quickly pecking out a text to my brother.

Meet me at the apartment. Make sure HE brings EVERYTHING he needs.

I headed back to Red Hook through traffic from hell, wondering what the fuck I’d gotten myself into.

* * *

I was packing as I waited for Giuseppe to call me back. As I was stuffing a duffel with clean underwear, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I checked the screen to see it was him.

“Hello, Mr. Torrente, sir,” I answered.

“London, son, how are you? I got your message. What’s wrong?” he asked, his Italian accent punctuating his words to show how concerned he was. I had a feeling we all needed to be.

“I’m not sure if you remember Kelly Brown. He testified against those Rangers who were acting as independent contractors and meting out justice as they saw fit. Well, he’s finally out of the brig, and there’s some shit swirling around him I don’t trust. I need to stash him until we can get a handle on the situation,” I explained—somewhat.

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