Page 64 of Dangerous King
So rare.
Soreal.
I'd burn down the entire city to hear it again.
Maybe I already started.
Maybe she's not just the one I want to protect.
Maybe she's the one who makes mewantto be better.
Or maybe that's the most dangerous illusion of all.
But I don't let go of her hand.
Not now.
Not ever.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
She hears it, and before I can say a word, she releases my hand and darts off down the path after Shadow. Smart girl. She knows the call means business. That whatever warmth we just shared is on pause now. Maybe she doesn't know what kind of business, but her instincts are sharp.
I answer the call. "Toni."
"Heard you poked a hornet's nest," he says, the amusement in his voice barely masks the warning underneath.
"Which one?" I murmur. "I've been kind of busy lately."
Toni falls silent. When he finally speaks, it's deadly quiet. "How is Izzy? Is she alright?"
"She is now."
"And Giovanni?"
"Still breathing." I pause. "But only because something about the setup doesn't smell right."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning he might not have known she was there. There's someone else involved." I leave it there. I'm not ready to say more. Not until I know what I'm dealing with.
Toni senses my reluctance and dives right in, "The reason for my call, have you watched the news?"
I usually make a point of checking the news every morning and evening, but I've been too distracted the last few days. Not that I care about politicians one way or another, we have plenty of them in our pockets from both sides of the aisle. Still, it's prudent to stay on top of things. Especially for our family dealing in arms trafficking, a brewing war somewhere always means extra money.
"I'm afraid I've been a bit sidetracked," I admit.
"They arrested Carlos this morning."
That's good news. "Finally. Took the fucking DA long enough to?—"
"For extortion and racketeering," Toni sneers.
Shit. Not for murder.
A deep exhale sounds through the phone as Toni gathers himself. "Never mind the charge. I'll get that bastard either way once he's in jail, and the judge already denied him parole."
"Whatever you do, Toni, don't let it lead back to you," I warn. Edoardo made it clear he would punish Toni if he went after Carlos. I worry his temper will get the better of him.
