Page 63 of Devious Secrets

We don’t deal with bribes when not necessary. Every bit of dirt we had on him kept him securely in our pocket.

“Who else knows he was killed?” I ask.

Ivan shrugs. “Anyone who can get to the coroner. We know DeAngelo wanted dirt on Thompson.”

“Poison isn’t his way.” Kaz rubs his temples. “If it was him, he’d have just sent his fucking goons to blow up the man’s house.”

“The list of who wanted that man dead could be fucking long.” If Thompson wasn’t doing what someone wanted him to do and they couldn’t get him to budge, they could take him out and take the chance on the next commissioner.

“We’re supposed to break ground on the resort next month, is that being fucked with?” Kaz questions, his voice hardening.

“Not yet, but the acting commissioner hasn’t been announced yet. Our permits are all solid so far, but if they start digging around, wanting to clean up the corruption, it could get messy.”

“Until their price is known.” I snort. “No politician is incorruptible. They just have pretty titles and the backing of the government.”

“So long as we’re not being fucked with, it might be best if we wait to see how it plays out,” I suggest.

“Yeah. I agree.” Kaz gives a solid nod. “The new commissioner might be better for us.”

Dexter Thompson’s death isn’t our problem, so long as whoever steps in is as controllable as he was. If the government wants to hide his murder, that’s on them. We have businesses to run.

“Agreed,” Ivan says.

“What about the DeAngelo issue and your woman?” Kaz lifts his chin in my direction. “He’s not going to walk away just because she’s yours now.”

“No. He’s not,” I agree.

“You want company when you meet him?” Ivan offers.

“I’d rather not sit down with the asshole at all, but to make sure the money gets into his hands, and he assures me she’s off his radar, I might have to do that.” I nod.

“You getting involved could make it messier. Maybe she can just pay him.” Kaz has a point.

Stepping in here might give DeAngelo ideas that he can come after us. It could make her a target in order to get to us.

“Would you send your woman into a meeting with DeAngelo?” I question.

He’s just as possessive as I am, and when he finds the woman who wakes up the beast inside him, he won’t let the poor woman step foot out of his eyesight.

“So, we’ll meet him.” Kaz nods.

“I’ll get a meeting set up.” My phone vibrates and I pull it out. One glance at the screen and my jaw tightens.

“What’s wrong?” Ivan questions.

“I didn’t get a chance to mention yet, but Elana came home last night. She’s at the house.”

“Doesn’t she have school?” Kaz questions.

I shrug. “She’s impulsive like always. I don’t know what’s going on yet. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her.”

“What’s happened?” Ivan questions as I type out a response.

“She’s with Megan.” I pocket my phone and turn to the door. “And she brought her to a doctor.”

“Is she okay?” Kaz asks. “What kind of doctor?”

“She brought her to a gynecologist.”

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