Page 88 of The Woman in the Garage

“I know,” I agreed. “And that he lived like this,” I said, waving toward the house. “I get living under the radar when you’re doing illegal shit, but he could have at least kept the place up.”

“Yeah, I mean, I wouldn’t say anything to Dasha, but that foundation is cracked. If he was sitting on a hundred mill, why not fix that before it becomes a bigger problem?”

“So much of this doesn’t make sense.”

“What is your end game here?” Luca asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Say you figure out who hurt Dasha. You handle that. She’s in the clear. What is the plan? Does Dasha become a drug kingpin? What does she want to happen to all that cocaine?”

I’d had similar thoughts all through sorting the paperwork alongside her.

Nothing about Dasha said she would be comfortable becoming a drug dealer. But shewassitting on a shit ton of product. It wasn’t like she just had a baggie or two to flush down the toilet and wash her hands of it all.

“I mean, I guess it depends on what kind of deal Phil had going on with whoever was supplying. Did he pay up front? Does he owe installment payments as he moves the product? Either way, the only way this product goes away is if it gets sold.”

“I agree,” Luca said. “Cocaine is easier for us than heroin for that matter. We got a major cocaine dealer right here in town.”

That was true.

Richard Lyon was the biggest cocaine dealer on the coast. He funneled his illegal money through everything from clothing stores to a luxury car dealership. If anyone would know how to handle the situation, it was him. And while he wasn’t exactly an ally of our Family, we did have an ‘in’ to him through the biker club in town whowereour allies. The club president’s father-in-law was Richard Lyon. If or when we needed to have a sit-down with the man, we had a way to get that arranged.

“And if there are still strings to the cartel where the drugs came from, Lyon would know how to handle that too,” I said.

“Yeah,” Luca said, nodding. “Alright. So what is the plan today? She’s hellbent on going to work?”

“She is. But I have Massimo bringing his car in to get a bunch of bullshit work done. That he is going to insist on waiting around for. So Dasha won’t be alone while Dom, Dante, and I clear out the closest storage units and get them into a shipping container.”

“Alright. Sounds like you got it all worked out. I want updates on this, though. This could turn ugly fast.”

“Every step of the way,” I assured him before watching him climb in his car and take off.

My gaze scanned the street but saw nothing unusual.

“Okay. Be honest,” Dasha called, making me turn. “Can you see the bruises?”

My gaze slid over her face and neck, knowing exactly how rough she looked before applying the makeup. But the reviews of that makeup were right—it covered just about everything.

“I think there might be a slight shadow under your eyes, but it comes off more like being a little sleepless,” I told her, taking the duffle bag from her hand, then the small suitcase from the other.

“Good. I was really following a video I found online. Glad it worked.”

“Are you sure this is all you want to bring?” I asked as I stored the bags in my trunk. “Got a big ol’ house to store anything you want.”

“I didn’t really bring much with me from Washington. Just clothes. Essentials. I packed everything I thought I could possibly use for a week or two.”

“We can always pop back. I just don’t want you realizing you need something last minute.”

“I’m all set,” she assured me.

“You ready to head into work, then?” I asked. I kept my tone light even if my gut twisted at the idea of her being there without me.

I trusted Mass. With my life. But I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her myself.

“Yep,” she agreed, exhaling hard. “Is your brother there?”

“Got a text a minute ago that he was pulling in. And all the cameras are up.”

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