Page 29 of Sprite

“How about your dad?” Leo asked Zane. “Do you think that Joe would know anything about the murder?”

Zane shrugged and Crew noticed that he seemed a bit nervous. “No clue,” he said. “My father and I haven’t seen eye to eye lately. Ever since both of your fathers passed, he’s been kind of distant. He’s teaching me the ropes to one day take over the family business, but we don’t exchange small talk.”

“I’m guessing that you both have taken over for your fathers,” Crew asked. Ross and Leo nodded, and Zane just shruggedleaving Crew to try to figure out what the hell that meant. The Ballerini, Capo, and Marino families were well-known mafia families. If the three guys in the room with him had taken over for their fathers, that would mean that they were playing on the other side and that Crew would need to keep his eye on each of them. Although, he was pretty sure that keeping an eye on Zane Marino wasn’t going to be much of a hardship since the guy was just his type.

“Would you give your father my business card and tell him that I’d like to schedule a meeting with him? I’ll take just a few minutes of his time,” Crew said. He handed Zane his card, letting his fingers brush over his, and loved the little hitch in Zane’s breath that he elicited. Yeah, he was just Crew’s type.

“I’ll try,” Zane promised.

“Great,” Crew said, turning to leave the room. He turned back to face the three men again, knowing that what he was about to ask them wasn’t going to go over well, but he needed more intel before going back to his boss. “Oh, and I’d like membership to your club,” he said. “I’ll need to go undercover, and I’d appreciate your discretion about my true identity.”

“Um, sure,” Ross said. Leo shot his husband a look and Crew knew that he wanted to deny him access to their club.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Leo asked Ross. “I mean, we pride ourselves on keeping our members safe and if Crew is stalking them, asking questions about a murder that happened a year ago, how safe will they feel?” Crew almost felt bad about his request, but there was no other way to find Susan’s killer.

“How long will you need to be undercover?” Zane asked. Crew wanted to ask the guy if he was a member too, but he didn’t want to seem too forward or personal.

“As long as it takes,” Crew admitted. “Honestly, there is no telling when it comes to cases like this. If you’d like, I can giveyou weekly reports to let you know if I have any leads,” he offered.

“That would be great,” Ross said. “You’ll be reporting to Zane. He’s looking for a project around here.” Ross and Leo chuckled, and Crew wondered what that was all about. “I’m sure he’d be willing to give you a tour too, if you have time.” Zane shot Ross a look and Crew didn’t miss the way he mouthed, “Fuck off,” to both him and Leo, making them laugh even harder.

“I’d appreciate a tour. I need to be familiar with the club. I’d also like to see room three,” he said. “I know that there won’t be any evidence left after a year, but I’d like to compare the crime scene photos with the actual room.”

“No problem,” Zane agreed, “just follow me.”

Crew started for the door, keeping up with Zane who seemed to be in a hurry. He thanked Ross and Leo as he chased Zane out of the office, staying hot on his heels. “Try to keep up,” Zane growled back over his shoulder. Crew wasn’t sure if he was being tested or what, but he was sure of one thing. He was up for any challenge that Zane threw his way.

Dakota

Three Months Later

Dakota Ballerini walked into the shitty little bar on the corner that she had always steered clear of. Honestly, the only guys who ever hung out in there were either bad boy bikers, who weren’t really her type, or cops running some kind of sting that she wanted no part of. As a police detective, she knew better than to even think about going into a place like this, but she didn’t care tonight, because tonight was different. Tonight, she had lost her best friend and partner, Jenna, to a scumbag drug dealer, who thought that taking her out was going to save his own worthless life. He was wrong—it didn’t save him. In fact, as soon as Dakota saw that her partner was down, she shot the asshole between the eyes, leaving no room for error. She wanted to make sure that he was good and dead before she had to say goodbye to her friend. She owed Jenna at least that much for always having her back.

Jenna’s mother had insisted on having the memorial service immediately and declined the police department’s offer of a big funeral with all the honors Jenna deserved. Her mom wanteda quiet, family and close friends only service, and Dakota was happy to attend. Sure, she wished her brother and sisters on the force would be able to tell Jenna goodbye, but it was her mother’s wishes that mattered most to everyone on the force. She was a very private woman and the last thing she wanted was a bunch of men and women in uniforms showing up and turning Jenna’s final farewell into something akin to a media circus. Because, once the media got hold of the information about Jenna’s funeral, they would be sure to show up. Her mother didn’t want any of that, and Dakota was happy that she got what she wanted to say goodbye to her daughter.

Two guys walked over to where she sat alone at the bar and sat on either side of her. “I’m not looking for company guys,” she mumbled. She was on her third shot of whisky and planned on drinking quite a few more before calling an Uber to head back to her townhome and pass out.

“How about you let us buy you a drink then, Dakota?” the guy to her left asked. Dakota was thankful that her back was turned to the guy, so he couldn’t see her roll her eyes at his question.

“Do we know each other?” she asked, turning to get a good look at the cute blond. “Zane,” she breathed. Zane was one of her brother’s best friends. She had grown up knowing him, and having him treat her as Ross’s pesky little sister when all she wanted was for him to notice her.

“Yep, it’s good to see you, kid,” he said. She rolled her eyes at him for using the nickname that he always called her.

“I’m not a kid anymore,” she insisted. “I drink alcohol now and everything.” She held up her fourth shot and gave him a little mock salute.

“How many of those have you had?” Zane asked.

“That’s none of your business,” she insisted.

“You’re not going to be driving home in your state, Ballerini, right?” the guy on the other side of her asked.

“Jesus does everyone know who I am in here tonight?” she grumbled.

“We met once,” the guy said, “I’m Crew Montgomery.”

“Shit,” she said, “you’re Detective Montgomery, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I am,” he admitted, “we met last year at the big Policeman’s Benefit Ball.” She remembered that night. It was the night that she and Jenna danced the night away, having so much fun together. It was the last time that she and her friend had hung out together outside of work and now, Dakota was kicking herself for not insisting that they get together more.

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