Page 66 of Broken Pawn

"Have you been lying about anything else?" I asked, but she looked down at her hands. "Goddamnit," I muttered to myself.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't trust youat the time," she kept apologizing.

"We almost died yesterday," I muttered under my breath.

I was frustrated and annoyed, but I couldn't stay angry at her because I understood. I'd taken her against her will, and she was only trying to protect herself, her friend, and her uncle. Her offering herself up to save her uncle's life had been one of the bravest things I'd ever seen a person do before she'd jumped in to save me from Sean Mullen.

My concern had been justified, which worried me even more. An alliance between the Robinson and Mullen families was bad news. I decided that we needed to act quickly while they were not coordinating.

I got out of bed and grabbed my phone. Things had to get moving.

The Robinsons were as powerful as the Levines, controlling much of South Chicago. Our families had never fought until I kidnapped Vanessa and her friend. I hadn't knownthe girl; she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There was no way I could have known she was connected to a Mafia family, let alone the Robinsons. It made me think twice about Vanessa's uncle Fred Westbrook, but I was watching his house and knew he would never endanger his niece's life. He had no idea Vanessa was no longer in danger of me, but I had no intention of informing him until he'd given me what I wanted.

What's done is done, I decided before dialing a phone number.

"I need you to monitor the Robinson family and report back to me," I told him.

"How frequently wouldyou want reports, boss?" the man asked.

"Daily," I told him.

My second phone call was not to issue a new directive but to modify an existing one. I called the man who was watching the Mullens' house.

"Good morning, boss."

"Ryan, good morning. I need you to coordinate with Tristan, find the men you require, and secure the mansion,"I said.

"Aye, boss," Ryan said emphatically.

"Do I abortthe current mission?" he proceeded to question me.

"No, keep an eye on the Mullen estate," I said, "but it's not the most important thing right now."

"Okay, boss. There are rumors on the streets that a war is about to break out. Is itclose?"

"It's getting close, and we'll be clapping back on the Mullens soon," I told him.

"I'll start polishing my pistols, boss," Ryan said as I hung up the phone.

Vanessa was still in my bed, waiting for me when I returned my gaze.

"Are you going afterthem? I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get hurt," she said.

"Yes. If I don't,they will."

War was never a preferred way to solve differences. I truly hoped we wouldn’t come to that, but if one had to happen indeed, I was glad Vanessa was safe and not on the streets of Chicago, which were soon to become a battlefield.

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