“We would, but Max is out searching for a new home, and Luca wants it done now.”
Ah yes. Why do I need reminding that Father Kane sent his brainwashed disciples to burn down Max’s family home?
Now Max felt the need toscrutinizeevery house that was on the market. I had a feeling he was purposefully dragging his feet because he didn’t want to make the commitment.
“Well, I’m busy running a business.” I held my hands out, showcasing the tiny office we’d just fucked in.
“Whydoyou keep coming into work here? He only meant for it to be temporary.”
I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. “I don’t know.”
Honestly, I didn’t know.
Maybe it was because this was mine. Something I had in my name, and I could make something of it. Or maybe it was so that I could avoid these little conversations because I still wasn’t over the heartache they’d caused me, even though they’d apologized profusely since.
I’d spent too many nights yearning for them after they tore my heart out and sent me on my way, only for them to realize they didn’t go about it the right way.
Nico adjusted his suit jacket and tie while I tied my shoes, making us look as innocent as possible.
“Well, Luca wants you on this one.”
I shrugged again. “Fine.” Leaning against the edge of the desk, I folded my arms across my chest as Nico took his seat and pulled out his phone. “What’s the name, and what does he want done?”
He turned his screen towards me and showed me a tall, well-built, bald man with a black tribal tattoo running up his neck. “His name is John—”
I snorted, interrupting his explanation, then covered my mouth with my hand to hide the humor.
Nico shot me a look, showing me just how mature he thought the reaction was. I couldn’t help it, the name was ironic.
I rolled my wrist, urging him to continue as I wiped the smirk away.
“His name is John—”
I snorted again. “Sorry.” I bit the insides of my cheeks to hold in my immaturity. “Continue.” It was moments like this when our difference in age and maturity really shined through.
“Are you finished?” he asked with an unamused glance.
I rolled my lips to keep them straight and nodded.
Nico sighed. “He’s raping and beating the women.”
My humor faded into disgust at warp speed. I no longer needed to bite back the smile because it vanished the moment those putrid words left his lips.
I clenched my fists and tightened my folded arms across my chest. “Interesting.”
Nico glanced up at me from his phone as he continued. “Luca wants you to make an example out of him, so the rest of the Keepers don’t think it’s an acceptable practice.”
I groaned.Just an example?
This man deserved to have his dick hacked off with a dull blade and a drill bit through each of his fingers. “What apartment is he in?” I asked, saddened by the anticlimactic instructions.
“Five-oh-three.”
Dammit, why couldn’t these fuckers live on the bottom floor. I cleared my throat. “Looks like I’ll need to wear tennis shoes for this one.”
He laughed, knowing about my fear of elevators and how five flights of stairs were in my future.
“Don’t leave a mess. He wants him alive to spread the word.”