Page 227 of The Reluctant Hero

“I can’t tell you all the details, Gabriel. I’m sure a man in your business can understand.”

I glance at him to take in the smug expression he’s sporting. He’s begun using my first name as if he has the right. But it isn’t the words that have caught my attention. It’s the way he said them. As if he knows more about my dealings than he should and believes I’m on par with him in some way.

Despite all my protests, my setup in this area is known to be mafia-related. There’s never any proof of illegal dealings, but I have some of the law enforcement on my payroll. If they have the rest it would raise a lot of questions. I thought that would make it hard to gain this meeting. I didn’t count on how desperate they are. Either for money or to tie up loose ends.Ifthey know how close Amanda has gotten to me.

Blake was making an effort to sway me to his side before his death, mainly to get a read on how Amanda was doing. I thought it was to win her back, but instead, he was looking for the photos and regaining control over her.

His groundwork seems to have paved a path and their lack of funding is pushing them down it.

“In the investment business?” I lean back to take him in. He doesn’t look nervous about it.

“Come on, Gabriel,” he says in a light taunt. “We both know you dabble in a little more than investing.”

Blackmail. He thinks exposing me will get him somewhere. As if someone claiming I’m in the mafia would be something I would hide from. Then again, I set the image up myself, and I keep that information close. Someone has been talking. Likely the police force.

If that’s the source, then Amanda might not be as safe at home as I thought she would be. They have to know I had her arrested, and she’s out now.

No. Tera got her out. There’s no evidence of my involvement or hers.

“Do I?” I smirk back. Ace shifts behind me, reminding him of his presence.

Jake is giving Owen a subtle shake of his head while keeping an eye on me. I pretend not to notice.

“I have plenty of backing,” he assures me, still at ease despite the warnings. He has the majority of the judges and lawyers aligned with him if I’m guessing correctly. He’s still thinking like a gentleman. The law, or lack of it, will protect him. He would be better off investing in a bulletproof vest than relying on his contacts.

“With whom, might I ask?” I keep it going even though I already know the majority of the players.

“Your father, for one.”

That makes me pause. Nothing else could. Why is Father still poking his nose into this? It’s definitely not for my benefit. I force myself not to look at Jake in my building fury. If he hadn’t drawn attention to this, Father wouldn’t be anywhere close to this place.

“He’s thinking of expanding,” Owen taunts at my silence. “If you snuck in under the wire, he wouldn’t have a chance.”

More like he could get money from us both and get us to kill each other over it. I didn’t think about this angle when I left New York.

“I’m listening,” I pick my cup up and casually take a sip.

“How about a tour? I’ll set something up.” He relaxes back in his seat, content now that he has my attention.

“Make it soon,” I say dismissively. “My schedule is getting tight.”

After all, there are a lot of people who need to disappear. A public earthquake would be nice. A sinkhole?

“I’ll see what I can do,” he uses a patronizing tone. “In the meantime, I’ve taken the liberty to leave you a little present as a sign of good faith.”

That’s never a good thing.

I nod, and he stands, his eyes narrowing at my uncaring attitude.

“I’ll be in touch,” he leaves with his parting ominous words.

I finish my lunch, acting out a debate on the usefulness of the tour and what he could be hiding with Cade. There could be any way of monitoring our activity, and we’re fully aware of it. Now for the gift. Depending on what it is, there will be more cautionary measures.

I settle the bill, noting that Owen left me to pick up his side of the check. It isn’t until we get back to the vehicle that my gift shows itself.

A prostitute. She’s pretty and very classy. Showing enough skin to be tantalizing without being indiscreet. If it had been Amanda in that dress, I would have been salivating. As it is, I’m developing a headache. Even Cade won’t entertain her, staring out the window like she doesn’t exist. Jake is busypretending to be jealous and hiding it poorly. Ace sneers at her, and that’s enough for her to ignore him. One glance at Mikael’s size has her eyes focused anywhere but him.

She tries to play up Jake’s supposed jealousy to perk up some fighting spirit but I can’t be bothered with the pretense. I tell her to keep her hands to herself, I’m not interested, and leave it at that.

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