Page 63 of Fiercely Protective

I smiled at his remark, knowing that Bri working here was never part of my plan, just an easier means to have her to myself. An image of her from earlier popped back into my head and my smile faded.

“Hurry up before Petey pisses himself again.”

Blaze walked away and gave some instructions to a few more men. I didn’t like leaving Bri behind, but knowing my men were there protecting her allowed me to focus on what had to be done. I started walking toward the office at the back of the club, ignoring everything that was going on around me, the music, the laughter, the women dancing on stage. I was focused, and unfortunately for Petey, he was the object I had in my sight.

When we walked into the office, we were met by a sobbing Petey on his knees. “Mr. Delaney…”

“Stop! Before you open your mouth again, remember the warning I gave you about lying to me earlier. Now stay on your knees and only open your mouth to answer the questions I ask.”

Blaze came up beside me at that moment with what looked like a scalpel. I watched Petey’s eyes focus on the razor-sharp weapon in Blaze’s hand, and he started crying again.

“For fuck’s sake, man! Have some pride.” Blaze said, disgusted with the loud blubbering coming from the man kneeling before us.

“Tony Galante hired you to find a girl, correct?”

He nodded.

“Speak!”

“Yes, he came to me and said that he met a woman in Colorado. He said the bitch wouldn’t put out after leading him on for weeks.”

I nodded toward Blaze who quickly swiped the scalpel across Petey’s chest. He didn’t even flinch until red started oozing through his shirt.

“Ah, fuck,” he said before weeping again.

“The ‘bitch’ you are referring to is my wife, Petey. Disrespect her again, and I will slit your throat. Make no mistake, I don’t need you to find Galante. Your cooperation will make it easier, but it is not essential. Do you understand?”

He nodded, his bloody hands shaking.

“Let’s start again then. Galante paid you to find my wife?”

“I owed him a favor from a few years back. He said that if I could find her and report back to him where she was hiding, he would cancel my debt to him. I didn’t know she was your wife, Mr. Delaney, I swear.”

“That I do believe, Petey, otherwise you would already be dead. Now, did you report back to Galante?”

“No, when the two men I sent came back to the bar saying that the girl was with you, I told Tony we couldn’t find her.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I swear to that. I wouldn’t go against you.”

“But yet you ignored me and tried to hide instead of coming here tonight. Where is he now?”

His eyes widened. “Do you know who Tony is? He will kill me if I tell you.”

I stepped closer. “And I will kill you if you don’t. So, it’s either die right now or take your chances, Petey.”

I watched his eyes widen. “He was in Chicago, but I don’t know where he is now. If he is still here, I have no idea where he is staying or anyone else that might know him. I swear! I haven’tseen him since the first day when he asked me to find her. He did leave a number for me to call with any information.”

“The number?”

“It’s written on a sticky note behind the bar where your men grabbed me. I can give it to you.”

I stepped back from him, hoping the stench of piss and sweat didn’t rub off on me. “I hope you are telling the truth, because if you aren’t, my friend here…,” I motioned toward Blaze. “He will make your torture last for a very long time…and enjoy every second of it.”

I looked at the other two men in the room. “Take him back to the bar where he operates and get the number. You know what to do if he tries anything stupid.” I looked back to where Petey was being helped to his feet. “Oh, and Petey, I think it’s time you made another city your home. Do you understand?”

He nodded as his knees wobbled in fear.

“Go now.” I stepped back as the two men began dragging him from the office.

“It always disappoints me when a man is that weak. I prefer it when they have a bit of fight, spit curses at me, or swear they will kill me when they get free, but that was pathetic.”

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