Page 52 of Taking Care of the Target

“Whoa,” Bobby said, throwing up his hands. “I’m just squatting until things cool down. One of the guys I…” He glanced at Cassie and then back at Vince, widening his eyes. “Anyway, he owed me, so I’ve been here the last two nights. Not even the guys after me dare come here, and you bring Blondie right in.”

A vein popped out in Vince’s forehead, and Cassie wrapped her arms around him in a side hug. “Blondie’s just fine, but thanks for the concern.” She also couldn’t help noticing the needles, blackened spoons, and lighters on the filthy coffee table.

Her knowledge of drugs was pretty much limited todon’t do them, but she’d written a paper on addictions and recovery in high school. She’d needed a subject, and since Annie’s work at the rehab center had always interested her, she used her as a source. Basically she learned that it was a long, hard road full of a lot of downs before you got to the ups.

“You introduce her to the family yet?” Bobby asked.

“No, because I actually like her. Remember how we’re not talking aboutmy businessorthe family?” The way Vince said it made her think they’d discussed it over the phone.

Vince moved like he was going to sit on the couch, but then curled his lip at the stained, used-to-be tan material and wrapped his arm tighter around her waist.

“Anyone want a drink?” Bobby asked.

Cassie peeked through the open archway to the kitchen. Dishes sat in the sink, and judging from the faint smell of old food, they’d been there a while. “I’m gonna pass.”

“Stop stalling, and let’s get this taken care of so we all can get out of here,” Vince said.

“Fine. Did you bring the money?” A hungry gleam entered Bobby’s eye as he looked at Vince, peering at his pockets like he was trying to see hidden wads of cash.

“You’re going to call these guys you owe, and you’re going to set up a meeting.”

Bobby shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Yeah, well, neither is using the drugs you were supposed to sell, but that didn’t stop you. If I giveyouthe money, I have no idea if you’ll decide you can double it with a couple of bets, use it to run, buy more drugs to make a profit down the road, or…whatever dumbass idea you’ve got rolling around in your skull.”

Cassie flinched at the harsh tone and words. She got it, because it obviously wasn’t the first time Vince had bailed Bobby out, but she couldn’t help wanting the brothers to hug and just be happy they had each other. She’d always wished she had a sibling.

Bobby looked to her. “Is he always so serious? He used to be fun.”

Cassie’s defenses prickled. It cost Vince a lot to come save the day, and the guy could show an ounce of gratitude; no wonder there’d been no hugging. “He’s actually very fun when he’s not saving his…how did you put it? No-good brother?”

Bobby mimicked a knife to his chest, but then he grinned at her, his dry lips cracking slightly. “I was wrong about you, Blondie. You’re tougher than you look.” He clapped Vince on the shoulder. “No wonder you like her so much. I always figured you for a hit and run guy when it came to women.”

Vince gave a sigh that carried the weight of the world with it. “Do you want my help or not? Because I swear I’m about to walk out that door and let you sort it out yourself.”

“Relax, bro. I’m just busting your balls. I want your help.” He straightened and saluted Vince. “Reporting for duty, sir!”

Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. Vince scowled at her, and she shrugged. “He’s sort of charming in a yippee-dog-type way.”

Bobby flashed her a megawatt grin. The drugs, the constant trouble, the jabs at Vince—she wanted to dislike him on principle, but something about him made it hard to completely write him off.

“Time to tell me who we’re dealing with,” Vince said. “No more games. I’m going with you, and I can’t go in there blind.”

Bobby scuffed his shoe on the dingy floor. “It’s…” he mumbled, and Vince leaned in and asked him to repeat that, but to actually say the name this time. “It’s Big Al, okay?”

The muscles in Vince’s jaw went rigid. He ran both hands through his hair and muttered a string of curses—English mixed with Italian that she instinctively recognized as swearwords—as he paced the length of the tiny room twice.

He snatched Bobby’s phone off the coffee table and shoved it at him. “Set it up, but don’t mention me. When we get there, you’re going to let me do all the talking. I’d actually like to make it out of the meeting alive.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cassie tried crossing her arms tighter—she even tried a scarier scowl—but Vince’s jaw remained set.

“Baby, please don’t fight me on this.”

Every time he called her baby, tingly warmth swirled through her, and that made it even harder to hold on to her attempt at stone-cold intimidation, which big surprise, had never been her strong suit.

“It’s not like Iwantto go into the meeting,” Cassie said. “I just don’t want you to go, either. Aren’t you supposed to meet somewhere super public? In all the movies they—”

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