“She’s got children to worry about.”
“Her children live close.”
I snort. “Well, I’m honored to be included in her list.”
“Be careful what you wish for.” Laughing, Cillian hangs up.
I don’t like the silence that crowds in afterwards, so as soon as the call is over, I dial in Tiernan’s number. It’s late, but I know he’ll pick up. Very few of the calls I make go unanswered.
Sure enough, he speaks up on the third ring. “Everything okay, don?”
“I have a small problem I need you to take care of for me.”
“Of course. What’s the problem?”
“There’s a woman in my penthouse,” I say. “She needs to disappear tomorrow.”
I have a strange feeling traveling up my body as I say the words. An almost visceral rejection of the order I’m giving my righthand man.
And like most of the uncomfortable feelings I’ve had in the past, I squash it.
“Got it, boss,” he says. No questions asked.
“She’s trapped in the wardrobe in the guest room. The big one.”
Again, no questions. Not even a hint of surprise.
“Consider it done,” he replies. “I do have that meeting with Carver in the morning. Late morning.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “No rush. Do it after.”
“Will do, don.”
I end the call and start dialing again directly after. I’m drumming my fingers against the desk when Phoenix finally picks up.
“Hey.”
“You were supposed to give me an update,” I remind him.
“There aren’t any to give,” Phoenix says defensively. “We’re still looking.”
“Got any leads?”
He hesitates for a second. “He’s got someone helping him.”
“And you know that because?”
“His trail dried up about an hour ago,” Phoenix replies. “He’s being hidden. Protected.”
Cillian’s words flash across my eyes. The Lombardis still have allies in the city. I’ll have to root around the old files. Dig up old names that used to side with the Lombardis when it came to land disputes and the like.Some of them had defected to the Clan when they saw the writing on the wall. Others had run. Most had died in that first battle twenty years ago.
“Send me your location. I’ll join the search.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can,” I tell him. “But this search might benefit from a little extra manpower.”
I can tell he wants to argue, but he drops it at the last moment. “As you wish. Sending you the coordinates now.”
“Good.” I hang up.
My forehead throbs as I stare out at the New York City skyline. The Lombardi fucker is out there somewhere. I plan on finding him before the night is through. Then I’ll come back here and deal with his sister.
Cillian’s right: I can’t afford to be distracted by amber doe eyes or a perfect pair of tits. There’s too much at stake here.
I clench my fists and get up.
Time to take care of business.