Page 151 of Possession

Finally, a satisfied expression settles on her lips. “I’m going to go down and get some coffee before I take a shower. Can I bring you a cup?”

“I’ll take anything you want to bring me.”

She leans back and looks satisfied with herself. “Well, then. I might surprise you with breakfast if June allows me to touch her favorite skillet.”

“Rocco should be in here at any minute to discuss the money drop.”

“Rocco is here.” We both look up as the man-boy announces his arrival, sauntering into the room as he scowls at us. He doesn’t look like he’s ready to work for me. He’s back in ripped jeans, a tee, and his cut. “You guys seriously make me sick to my stomach. You’re like a sappy couple from network TV.”

“Network TV?” Landyn sits up straight in my lap, but I don’t let go of her. “I’m offended.”

“You should be,” Rocco drawls smirking at Landyn. “Wait, not just network TV. Like late-night reruns from decades ago. You can’t keep your hands off each other but it’s so fucking syrupy sweet, it gives me a stomach ache.”

Landyn gives me a peck on the lips before climbing out of my lap and heading for the door. “That’s what happens when you’re in love. I need coffee, and then I’m going to make breakfast for everyone.”

She looks back with a satisfied smile before leaving me with Rocco. She knows the sooner we get this done, the sooner we’ll get out of here for good.

I turn my attention to Rocco and hike a brow. “Are you ready?”

He glances down at his old clothes. “It’s why I’m here, right? To be your go-between. My job is to drop the money. No biggie.”

I rest my forearms on the desk. “Don’t fuck around. Don’t even miss a stoplight, Roc. If you see yellow, don’t think about hitting the gas. I need you to make the drop and get back here with no altercation.”

He rolls his eyes. “I might be a dropout, but I’m a fucking scholar in the school of hard knocks. I know not to roll through a stop light with hundreds of thousands of dollars in the trunk.”

I look him up and down. “What’s with the cut? You have an entire closet of clothes that won’t get you profiled if you get stopped.”

“Dude, I’m not going to get stopped. Last time I showed up in my Marino uniform, the club gave me so much shit, I had to think twice about going back. I can’t do anything about the haircut, but I can make sure I don’t meet my President looking like I just left a polo match.”

“I’m just watching out for you. Don’t be the dumbass who gets caught with a load of cash in their trunk. I need this drop to happen with no drama.”

“Chill, Kingpin. I’m your man.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’ll let the kingpin comment slide because we have more important things to focus on.” I lean back in my seat. “Get in and get out. Do you understand? I don’t need you hanging around to shoot the shit. Make the drop and come straight back. It should only take a few hours.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I got this. I’ll be back in your damn khakis in no time pretending to let Landyn boss me around.”

I pull in a breath and hold it too long before exhaling. I barely slept last night. The details are circling my brain like a team of fighter jets looking for the perfect place to drop a bomb.

Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen tonight. That bomb will fucking obliterate the Marinos and everyone who’s ever worked with them.

Carson and Tim are handling it, and things are on track to go off without a hitch. I only know this because I got a text in the middle of the night saying we’re still on. That was the plan—a check in once every twenty-four hours unless something goes south.

Going south isn’t an option.

I force myself to relax into my chair. “Where are you meeting Logan?”

“Not sure. He said he’d let me know right before I leave.”

I tip my head. “Is he jittery?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know? I’ve never made a money drop, let alone one for a cool half-mil.”

“Fair enough. But it’s Marino money. I want to know where it’s going. That’s non-negotiable.”

“I’ll ask Logan and see what he says.”

“He’ll understand. If he doesn’t, I’ll make sure he does. I deserve to know where our down payment is going.” And follow the money to assure this thing is going to go down without a hitch, but I don’t say that aloud.

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