Page 83 of Nothing to Beat

That was vicious… and hot as hell.Her hand slipped under the table and onto his thigh.He might take it as a sign of resistance, that she didn’t support what he was saying.No, he wouldn’t think that.If she wanted him to stop, she’d say it.Wasn’t like she’d never shown him gratitude before.Maybe they should put the sensible no promises thing on ice for an hour or two that afternoon.

Was this really the best time to contemplate violating him?Hell, when he was this close, some part of her was always considering violating him.

After answers from Ackley, she’d show Breck her gratitude.

“Who did you speak to?”she asked, her hand relaxing but staying put.“Who agreed to testify?”

Maybe she wouldn’t be so irrelevant if lobbying was an option.

“A powerful man with the means to protect himself,” Ackley said.“A man eager to put this mistake in his past.He’s willing to give details, facts, dates, evidence.He’s a man with his own interests to protect, and he’ll do that vehemently.”

“Ricardo Whey,” she said to Ackley’s jolt of surprise.“He’ll give you what you want in return for immunity.And you wouldn’t want to upset such an influential man when you’ll be looking to get reelected.”

“Ricardo Whey,” Porter said.“Of Whey Media Conglomerates?One of the richest most influential men in Hollywood?”That would be the man.“Why would he get involved with the Chicago Gambattos?”That was an easy answer.So easy Porter got it himself.“Money.He had to be making a fortune to take that risk.”

“He’s a man who believes in his own invulnerability,” Breck said, knowing the man better than she did.“Which is likely why he agreed to testify.”

If her sister, Trish, believed Zairn was rich and righteous enough to ensure her safety, it wasn’t a leap that Ricardo Whey thought his own ability superior.

“We have a lot of ground to cover.”Ackley linked his fingers on the table.“But this won’t be a singular operation.Mr.Whey doesn’t leave things to chance and wants a contingency.”

Hmm, funny, who else said that recently?

“Whey wants Chicago to take him down.”

If Whey had the ability to exert some power there, he may fulfill her wish, without even knowing it.

“We can get your father for money laundering, racketeering, conspiracy, many things…”

Porter’s forearms landed on the table.“Murder.”The crown jewel of crimes, and one that could carry a hefty sentence.“Whey can give us Gambatto for murder.”

“Multiple.We will prosecute him for his crimes here in Los Angeles.And we’ll prosecute his son for murder.”Except both men, as far as she was aware, were in Chicago.“This will need to be a joint operation.For both of us to get what we want.”

“We can work something out,” Porter said.“But you’ll have to give me something first.Something to show the strength of the case.We’ve been trying to nail Gambatto Senior for years.We can’t go all in until we know it’s airtight.The minute we go to him, or he gets a whiff this is heading at him—”

“That won’t happen,” Ackley asserted.“This has to be kept close.”

“Works for me, but what about your office?”Porter was right to be wary.“As soon as your people figure out there’s a plan…”

“Compared to Chicago, there are fewer people here with an allegiance to him.”

“And I’ve got this far without details being leaked,” Porter defended his position.“This is important.Vitally important.This isn’t just a crime for us.The Gambattos have wreaked havoc on Chicago for generations.Getting this man off the street and out of his position of power—”

“Preaching to me is pointless,” Ackley said.“You know as well as I do that the power balance of your city has shifted, profoundly, in light of recent events.This is not a golden ticket, it won’t solve all your problems.”

“It will make a difference, a massive difference.And don’t talk about my city as if yours is pristine.This happened on your watch too.Gambattos imported crime to your city and you sat by while it happened.Either you turned a blind eye or were oblivious to it happening.Neither says much about your intuition or ability.”

Whoa, check the balls on that guy.Impressive.Ackley blustered as he argued back.Porter didn’t shy from defending those in his city fighting the good fight.

“Enough,” Breck silenced both men only a fraction of a second before she expected them to rise and take things up a notch.“You have jobs to do, and those jobs, for now, complement each other.If you start tearing each other apart, this fragile trust may be shattered.”

“Let’s just show each other a little professional courtesy.”

“You don’t have to be here for this,” Ackley said, still amped by adrenaline.

Breck wasn’t giving an inch.“I think we’ve proved you do.”

Yes, she and Breck could leave and allow the prosecutors to put together a case they could both agree on.It wasn’t necessary for her and Breck to be privy to it.That said, after the recent show, they may need a mediator.There was also a chance she could explain how one part related to another.Even without firsthand knowledge of current goings-on, she grew up with it and knew how it worked.They may need a Gambatto brain to think Gambatto.

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