“Of course I knew.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“There was no point. You two always stick up for each other. It didn’t matter whose ring was lost. All that mattered was how it implicated both of you.”
“You don’t have to worry about that now,” I said. “I’m taking care of it.” I was going to do what Angelo suggested. I was going to make Joe see I wasn’t the man he thought I was.
“How did you get it?” Lucien asked.
“I can’t say.”
“Devil, I—”
“The cops no longer have the ring, and they’ve got nothing else to indicate we were ever at Sergio’s house.”
“Are you sure about that?”
I nodded.
Lucien narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like this. I want details.”
“I can’t give you any more information. That was part of my agreement with the man I worked with.”
“I don’t like you working with someone I don’t know.”
“I’m a big boy, Lucien. I’m allowed out on my own.”
He sighed. “You are, but I want you to be careful and think through your actions.”
“I know what you want, Lucien, but I want to keep all of us safe. I told you I’ve got history with Daniels. I’ve got to approach this carefully.”
“We should be approaching it together.”
“Not this time. Please trust me for once. Let me fucking handle it.”
“Fine, but if I get even a hint that things are headed sideways, I’m stepping in.”
“Fair enough.” I turned to go, but Angelo laid a hand on my shoulder, freezing me in place.
“I don’t want you to get hurt. I couldn’t handle losing you.”
“I know. I’m taking care of myself. I promise.” He pulled me into a tight hug.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Angel.”
Once I left the house, I sent Joe a text. There are some things I want to show you. Can you get away this afternoon?
By the time he responded, I was pulling up in front of Marco’s shop. I’d avoided him as much as I could since I’d made him promise not to tell my family about my involvement with Joe. Every time we’d worked together, the asshole made sure I remembered what I owed him. My family was convinced I hated him, but really I hated myself for letting him see through me. I didn’t want to talk to Marco now, but he’d been the one to discover that his cousin was involved in the trafficking business. I knew he’d been keeping tabs on the men his cousin had worked with, and I needed to find out whether he thought they might be the ones Murphy had been working for.
My phone buzzed as I hopped off my bike.
Meet me at my house at two.
I checked the time. I could make that easily.
I sent a text to Lola asking her to pack up some leftovers for me and a friend. Then I braced myself to deal with Marco.
When I stepped into his shop, he looked up, saw it was me, and tilted his head toward the back. I headed to his office, and he joined me a few moments later.
“You look worn out. Keeping all those secrets getting to you?”
I flipped him off, and he just laughed. “What do you need?”
“I’ve learned there’s a possibility Murphy was connected to the trafficking ring your cousin was part of.”
Marco frowned. “A week ago I would’ve said that was unlikely, but I’ve kept feelers out on the traffickers even though they seemed to be inactive since Mario died. I’m starting to hear rumors about them again and a name.”
“And that name is?”
“You already owe me a favor. Are you prepared to make it two?”
“Fuck off. You want these men eliminated just like I do.”
Marco glared at me for several seconds, then spit out the name. “Dennis Swain.”
“The congressman’s brother? The one who was implicated in money laundering?”
“The very one. Apparently he’s been connected to the group from the beginning, and he’s been quietly expanding their influence and activities. I wouldn’t doubt he has police working for him.”
I wouldn’t doubt it either. Congressman Swain was likely as deep in this as his brother. If they were using his political connections, no doubt the trafficking ring would have more power than ever. “Thank you. Let me know if you hear more.”
“Where’d you come by this information? Daniels?”
“I don’t ask about your informants, so don’t ask me about mine.”
“Turning Swain into the cops will be a death sentence if he identifies you. Keep your mouth shut and tell Daniels to back the hell off. This isn’t something he should be messing with.”
“I thought you wanted to bring these assholes down.”
“I do, but I know how carefully they have to be approached. If Daniels goes in guns blazing, then—”
“He won’t. He’s not stupid.”
“I hope you aren’t either. You might be an asshole, but I’m used to working with you now.”
“Aww. Nice to know you care.”