AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He bends forward to pick them up, briefly glancing at each of them before discarding one and folding up the other. He holds it up for me to see before slipping it into my palm, my fist coming to close around it.
“I hope that answers some of your questions, demon.” He moves to pass me, pausing briefly to press a kiss to the top of my head as he goes. “I less than three you.”
He continues on across the rooftop, his departure marked by the slamming of steel when the door swings shut behind him.
Inhaling a shaky breath, my fist loosens, allowing my trembling fingers to unfold the fragile slip revealing his handwritten words. A sob breaks free as I stare down at his wish—the one he placed inside the unicorn before he ever even gifted it to me at graduation—unable to stop the tears as they fall.
One wish comprised of three words.
Daphne Guinevere Conners
CHAPTER 44
NOW
NICKY
My body feels immensely heavy as I drag my exhausted ass down the stairs into the basement of our Killington property. If we survive this shit, I’m going to go home and fuck my wife… then sleep for a week.
The wedding—while an absolute shit show—was deemed a success. Kellerman got the intel he needed to take down Yuri. They have him on tape personally detailing the specifics of his trafficking operation to Elliot Devoreaux who, in turn, was set to take over the money laundering portion of the business. Yuri’s already in custody while the Feds work to dismantle the rest of his organization as we speak, largely in part due to the extensive evidence Mav and I have collected on his entire outfit over the years.
Elliot, however unbeknownst to me, was approached by Kellerman’s unit prior to the meet and offered full immunity in exchange for scripting the conversation in such a way that would secure an ironclad confession from Yuri, one sure to put him away for life.
The old man all but jumped at the chance to escape prosecution, then opted for WITSEC when it was over.
Yup.
Elliot, his wife, and all three of his children assumed new identities as of midnight tonight. Which means that Lucian is so far out of my reach by now, he’ll never face judgment for his sins. The little shit even tried to get Kellerman to create a new identity so he could take Daphne with him.
I don’t think so, motherfucker. That’s my wife. And I was incredibly vocal in voicing just how big a load of bullshit it was that he gets to walk after all he’s done.
Kellerman was less than thrilled to learn I’d gone behind his back and married Daphne. In all fairness, had that shit leaked, we all would have been royally fucked. But it all worked out in the end, which is why I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Kellerman is forcing me and Mav down into our own basement right now when I should be home snuggled up next to my woman in bed.
We met the terms of our deal. We’re supposed to be out. Yet, here we are, possibly being led to our deaths in our own torture rooms. I’m suddenly pissed we installed drains in the basement during the build. If this motherfucker’s really about to off us, I would’ve preferred he at least have a hard time cleaning it up.
I reach the bottom of the staircase, almost slamming into Mav’s back when he suddenly stops short.
“Mav, move out of the—” My words trail off as I take in the sight before me. Kellerman enters behind us, stepping around both me and Mav and crossing the room before coming to stand beside Enzo fucking Stingone. Don of the Sicilian Mafia, and quite possibly, the most powerful man on the planet.
And if the revelation that Alec Kellerman is on Enzo Stingone’s payroll wasn’t a big enough mindfuck, then the sight of Lucian gagged and bound to a chair beside them certainly does the trick.
I quickly scan my brain for reasons Enzo may want me dead. It can’t have anything to do with the deal we recently struck. Did Kellerman tell him I was dipping out of the game? Maybe he thought that meant I was gonna screw him on his profits. The money he stood to make on our transaction is nothing compared to what he’s gonna pull in when I planned to offer him my entire business once I retired. I’m just about to open my mouth and explain as such when he speaks first.
“Gentlemen,” he greets us, his face bearing hints of amusement. “I’m sure you have questions.”
“So, you’re dirty.” I look to Kellerman, thoroughly annoyed by the faux boy scout persona he’s been pedaling all these years.
“If by dirty, you mean I work for Enzo? Yes,” he responds. “But I think you both know I’m not a bad man, nor a bad cop.”
“I don’t know what to think right now.” Mav shakes his head, clearly just as frustrated as me. “Somebody needs to tell me what the fuck is happening. What is Luc doing here?”
“Parting gift,” Enzo states, turning to me. “You’re right, Nick. He shouldn’t get to walk. Consider this my thank you to both of you.”
“Thank you for what?”
Enzo begins to explain the nature of his partnership with Alec. How they’ve apparently worked together for years on opposite sides of the fence in eradicating the world of evil that has no place in it. Yuri’s status as a trafficker, someone who hurt women and children, earned him a top spot on both of their shit lists.
“I’ve been around for a long time, boys,” he continues. “Honor was once a staple among bosses but has since become a rare quality. You two, while young, have always operated within the confines of respect. You maintain order, you care for your own, you show strength in knowing when to strike and when to grant mercy. You love your women and recognize they should be cherished. Your men respect you. I’m almost sad to see you bow out of the game. You two brought a great deal of promise to the future generation.”
