Page 20 of Crime Lord's Paradise

“The Black Vipers called on some California gangs, which have caused trouble, but we’re taking care of it.” Angel tilted his head to the side. “I hear some cops visited you at the casino.”

“Their third visit since Malone and the others went missing. They showed up here once.”

Angel’s eyes narrowed. “They came to your residence?”

“They didn’t make it past the gate. They were … persuaded to leave.”

Angel’s mouth twitched. “Imagine that. So did they come right out and ask if you had anything to do with all these disappearances?”

He settled back in his chair. “They start with bullshit and then ask if I knew the governor and the gaming commissioner and so on.” He was actually enjoying these verbal spars. The public was in an uproar over having so many public servants and government officials disappear into thin air. The cops were grasping at straws, hoping he’d slip up or some stupid shit. Everyone knew something big had gone down, but they didn’t know where it took place or who was involved. The cops were smart enough to sniff around him, but they wouldn’t find shit.

“I’ve been approached by some dirty cops. Looks like they want to make a deal with me,” Angel said.

“You ask Stark about them?”

Angel nodded. “We declined their offer.”

“How’d they take it?”

Angel’s smile wasn’t friendly. “They weren’t happy, but they’re smart enough to walk away with their tail between their legs.”

“How’s Stark working out?”

“He doesn’t say much, but he knows his shit.”

He felt better knowing that Stark had Angel’s back. Stark knew the underworld well. Angel needed someone on hand who could help him make intelligent, split-second decisions. He also hoped Stark would curb Angel from doing anything too reckless.

“While I’m gone, if you need anything—”

Angel waved his hand. “Don’t go all big cousin on me now.”

“I can’t resist.” Reconnecting with his cousins was one of the best decisions he’d made. He had support, backup, and could give Lyla the life he always promised. “I owe you.”

“For what? Gift wrapping the greatest city in the world for me?”

“It’s dangerous.”

“So am I.”

He had underestimated his pretty boy cousin. Angel still had a ways to go before becoming a full-fledged crime lord, but he was holding his own in a world where only the strong survived.

“Go on your trip. I’ll take care of everything.” Angel sniffed the air appreciatively. “What’s the occasion, anyway?”

“It’s been four months since we killed that fuck.”

Angel’s eyes gleamed. “I should visit Hell, maybe piss in a toilet there as an extra fuck you to that little bastard.”

“You heard from Lucifer?”

“No. Why?”

“Just checking.” It wouldn’t surprise him if Lucifer tried to reel Angel in. Angel put on a show in the pit to stake his claim as crime lord. Lucifer wouldn’t fail to notice his skill.

He glanced down at the dog flopped on his foot. For some reason he couldn’t fathom, Honey had taken a liking to him. She had become a permanent fixture in his office and followed him everywhere.

“That guy, Jonathan, came by my place,” Angel said. “He installed the security system. It’s amazing.”

“What do you think of him?”

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