"Sax? Are you ready to roll out?"
"Yeah, just getting Im's guard sorted."
Stopping in my tracks, I hung my head. Shit. This was one of those moments where it sucked to be boss. I wanted Sax with me, but despite my statements to Imogen earlier, I only trusted her because I knew Sax watched over her. I still didn't have my mole identified, and I didn't trust anyone else outside him and Nicco.
At that thought, an idea formed in my head. "Send Nicco."
"Wait, what?" Sax asked, a perplexed look on his face. "He's not trained as a guard, though. Are you sure?"
"Then someone else too, but I want Nicco there in the apartment with her. Loren won't understand an outsider, and since you can't go, he's the best solution as they seem to be dating or whatever. I don't want her to be out of sight despite trusting Loren. Someone could easily get to their apartment. Loren won't recognize the danger, and she'd let them right in. It's the best solution, and you know it."
Sax contemplated it for a second but eventually nodded, not seeing any fault with my logic. He dialed the number and had it arranged within thirty seconds. I often undervalued his skills because he was so efficient at getting things accomplished. Those two days I'd distanced myself, I gained a whole new level of appreciation for him.
"Nicco, man, hey, got a favor to ask you." I heard Sax chuckling at something Nicco said on the other end, and I could only imagine what my smart-mouth cousin had retorted back.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I think you will like this one though, hear me out."
It was weird being on this end of a conversation and not hearing what the other person said. Typically, I guess I didn't stick around for this part, but I wanted to know the details since it was Nicco and Immy.
"I promise, man, okay, so our girl, Loren? Yeah, her foster kid and Ims have become friends," he paused, and I hated feeling left out of the conversation even when I had no right to feel it. "Yeah, good, okay. So, Immy wants to hang out with Jude, and we have a family meeting to head to. I know it will be a huge hardship for you, but as Loren doesn't know why we would insist on a guard inside, it would need to be someone she knows. Ergo, you." Sax grinned, laughing at something Nicco said.
"Okay, great. I'll tell Dakota to expect you. Ims has a session soon and will be done at 5 pm. Can you meet them at New Horizons, or will it be the condo?"
"Yeah, yeah, man. Okay, talk to you later."
"Everything good, then?"
"Yeah, he said you owe him another favor, but based on the shit he was saying to me, I think he owes you the favor," he groaned, shifting himself in his pants. Swallowing, I tried to ignore the thoughts that wanted to rise to the occasion. Loren was becoming more and more a part of our life in some way or another.
The other night, when Sax had told me he was going out to meet her, I didn't even hesitate and left with him. I didn't want to admit to myself it was because I cared. She intrigued me, that was it.
So, why did the little wink she gave me at the end have me stroking one out when I got home? Denial was my middle name.
Ignoring my inner thoughts, I headed to the garage with Sax.
"Have you heard from everyone?"
"Yes, all will be in attendance. Do you think your uncle will try to make a play?"
It was the very same question that had plagued me for months.
"I don't know, and that's what bothers me. He's too clean, too careful. Either he's perfect and loyal to the family, or…”
"He's covering up his tracks," Sax finished.
"Yeah. Has Jasper uncovered anything yet?"
"He hasn't reported in today, so I'm hoping it's just because of the meeting."
"You know we can't hope in the mafia, Sax. Shit. Can you get confirmation on his whereabouts? We need to make sure we aren't walking into a trap."
"Shit, yeah. I'm on it."
As Sax began messaging people, I went over the info I had on the others again from the past thirty days. My uncle, Seth, for all intents and purposes, was clean. Lucca was on my side, as was Nicco. It was between Joel and Marcel and their divisions at this point. I needed to uncover the rat. Today. I was afraid too many of our futures depended on it, especially since I was still waiting to hear back from Darren Delgado.
It didn't bode well, whatever he thought I would accomplish for him. My father hadn't been in bed with them for fun. He needed them for something. Otherwise, he would've never dirtied himself with Darren. At least the father I knew wouldn't have. Nowadays, I'd started to realize I never knew him, not really.
By the time we pulled up to the estate, Sax had gotten confirmation from Jasper, alleviating one worry off our plate. I planned to do something risky during the meeting to see if I could snuff out the leak. I was convinced at this point it was one of the Capos. There was no other explanation.