Page 32 of Condemned Soul

“I assumed that's why you brought me here.” Her snigger is as sexy as it is irritating.

“As you suspected, Cliff has been dealin’ with some people he shouldn’t be. He’s kept it from us and it could land us in hot water.”

“We know about the people Cliff deals with, small-time gangs aren’t an interest to me and my team.” She passes it off without interest.

“I wouldn’t call the Lambronis small-time.” I snigger, watching her demeanor change and her forehead crease with curiosity.

“But the Lambronis are Burlusconi’s biggest rivals.” She nibbles at the bait.

“Which is why we could’ve been in the shit with this.” I look back at her.

“And does Burlusconi know about this?” She fidgets on her ass cheeks uncomfortably.

“He will when I explain it to him.” I light myself up a cigarette.

“You think that’s a good idea?” she questions.

“I figure he’ll be forgivin’ if I can offer him somethin’.” I shrug.

“And what exactly is it that you think you can offer him?” Now she’s really sinking her teeth in.

“Well, it just so happens that I know an Agent who specializes in taking down big organizations like the Lambronis. How would you like that on your resume?” I blow a cloud of smoke into the air, feeling a little smug with myself.

“They aren’t who my department is looking into.” She tries to play hardball but I know that’s not true from the information Maddy and Alex put together.

“Maybe not, but they have links to the triads, who I know for a fact you got an interest in. I’m sure your superiors would be impressed.”

“What have you got on them?” She folds her arms over her chest.

“I can get you enough. I just need a little time.”

She taps her fingers against the cheap wood chip surface as if she’s planning a negotiation.

“It won’t be enough.” She shakes her head. “My task force has been given a specific target and that target is the Souls.”

“But it could be enough for now. And it’ll give me and you an opportunity to build up some trust between us.”

“What’s your end game, Jimmer Carson?” She stares at me curiously and when I stand up and step toward her, I blow the next cloud of smoke I release right at her pretty, little face.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I tell her.

She doesn’t cough and splutter like I expect her to, instead, she rubs her lips together in a way that makes my cock twitch.

“Now, are you with me on takin’ down the Lambronis?” I tilt my head.

“You get me the evidence, I’ll lock them ‘em away.” She holds out her hand for me to shake and I take it, ignoring the spark that shoots through my entire body.

“Look at that, we’re turnin’ out to be quite the team.” I snigger at her before I walk out the door.

I leave the motel room a little lighter, I got a good feeling about this plan, and when I get back to the club I make a call to Long Beach so I can fill Tawk in. I spend another hour on the phone with Burlusconi, who takes the news I give him much better than I expected. I’m sure the assurance that the Lambroni brothers will not be a problem to him for much longer, helped him keep his cool. Now, all I have to do is make sure everything falls into place.

“Am I interrupting?” I hear Joanne’s voice come from the door and when I see her standing in my kitchen, I’m unsure how I feel about it.

“No.” I grab the bottle of whiskey from the table and head out onto the balcony, knowing that she’ll follow.

“Something’s wrong.” She rests her arms on my balcony and looks out at the view.

“Everythin’s just peachy.” I pour myself a drink and smile at it sarcastically before I knock it back.

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