Page 26 of Conquering Oz

“It’s your job to rein him in,” Oz said.

Trey smirked. “I’ve been babysitting Rogue for over twenty years. When do I get to retire?”

Oz steeled his features, not giving into his smile.

Trey sighed, shaking his head. “I’ll get him on board.”

Of course he would. Oz and Rogue may have been blood brothers, but Trey had a stronger bond with the younger of the two. They were closer in age, practically growing up together. They complimented one another, Trey embodied the voice of reason and Rogue personified aggressive dominion, when needed. As for Oz’s part, he served as a protector to both. It was a brotherhood of loyalty, survival, and love. It was unbreakable.

“Do you want me to reach out to Ace and negotiate the money?”

Oz downed his whiskey, feeling the burn in his throat. “I’ll handle it.”

Trey nodded and walked to the couch, grabbing his jacket. “Oh, and Dahlia said to say hi.”

Dahlia. There were very few people he had a fondness for, but she was one of them. Kind, sweet, and loving. She was an anomaly in the Underground. A necessity none of them thought they needed. She proved to be the light in their very dark world.

“She’s doing well?”

Trey snorted and walked over to Oz. “Yes, she’s planning something with Sal. According to her, ‘top secret.’”

Oz arched his brow, and Trey held up his hands. “Can’t tell you but I do want to make it clear. I have nothing to do with it.”

Nothing to do with what? When Trey’s lips twitched, it suddenly clicked. Planning something? Top secret that Oz doesn’t know about?

He clenched his jaw, raised his hand, and pointed at Trey. “No. You shut that down.”

With Oz’s birthday coming up, it was easy to piece together Dahlia’s plan.There will be no fucking party!He’d never had one nor wanted one, and there would be none.

Trey laughed. “I told her, but she’s being stubborn. She’s got Sal on board. Quinn too. Those three are a force together.” He paused. “She just wants to do something special for you. You’re family to her.”

He may not have shown it often, but Oz considered Dahlia family as well. He, along with Trey and Rogue, would lay down their own lives for her, Sal, and Quinn. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to protecthisfamily.But no fucking party!

Oz narrowed his gaze. “Shut. It. Down.”

“Consider it done.” Trey flattened his lips and nodded.

With talk about the women, Oz’s mind went to one in particular. A woman who’d plagued his thoughts since the moment he’d set eyes on her. It was rare for he and Trey to have one on ones without Rogue present. He’d take advantage of the opportunity.

Trey was about to walk out the door.

“A word, Trey.”

He glanced over his shoulder then turned, heading back to him. At the same time, Nash walked into his office with a folder in his hand. When Nash stopped a few feet from the door, Oz waved him inside.

“Tell me again about the situation with Sal and that woman from the restaurant.”

“Elodie Martin?”

“Yes.”

Trey furrowed his brows. “We looked into her. No connection, and Sal swears he doesn’t know her. He chalked it up to her not appreciating his charms.”

“But that wasn’t your take?” Oz asked.

“There was something in the way she looked at him. I’ve seen that look quite a few times. And when Quinn introduced Sal, she never mentioned his last name. But when Elodie walked out, she called himMr. Caruso. Obviously, she knows who he is.”

Nash stepped closer and shared a look with Oz. He was silently asking for permission. And subtly, Oz granted it.

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