Page 146 of Theirs to Corrupt

“I’m not sure that’s recommended.”

“The medic said that Nat could have one. And she bumped her head.”

With a tight nod, he uncorks a bottle of red.

“Just stick a straw in it and hand it over.”

Of course, he ignores me and instead pours two glasses of wine and slides one across to me.

“Axel’s been arrested. Do you know the charges?”

The roar of a motorcycle and the flash of the headlight through the windows distracts me.

Pax.

Less than a minute later, he’s inside, the alarm set again, and he tosses his jacket over the back of the chair next to mine.

“Wine?” Link offers.

Pax shakes his head and heads to the refrigerator. He grabs a bottle of beer. After using a metal tool to remove the cap, he sends it spinning onto the countertop.

As if trying to make sure I really am okay, he sweeps his gaze over me. “I’m sure you have questions.”

About a million of them.

“They can wait for the morning.”

I shake my head. If I go upstairs now, there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep.

“Then let’s get comfortable.

Still wrapped in Link’s jacket, glass in hand, I follow them into the living room where I curl up onto the couch. Since I’m ready to start shaking again, I grab a small blanket from the back of the couch and pull it over my legs.

Link places his glass on the mantel, then lights the gas fireplace.

Mesmerized, I stare at the flickering flames, trying to lose myself in them.

Both men take seats across from me, and I’m grateful they’re giving me space.

Pax takes a long, well-earned drink from his bottle. “Your brother is going away for a very, very long time.”

I have no reaction to the news. He’s the only remaining member of my family, yet he’s betrayed me over and over again.

After placing his bottle on an end table, Pax leans forward and props his elbows on his knees. “When we found out that he was trying to sell you, we read Hawkeye and Inamorata in on the information. They’ve been working with law enforcement, building a case. We believed an arrest was imminent, but tonight accelerated the time frame.”

“You said he’s going away for a very long time.”

He nods.

“What does that mean?”

“With everything we’ve uncovered so far, he’ll be facing a lot of charges. He’ll also be prosecuted under the federal racketeering statute.”

After taking a sip to settle my nerves, I breath out. “Emiliano is still out there.”

“He was just taken away by the FBI. RICO charges of his own.”

Since my hand is trembling, I set down my wine.

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