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“Bill me.” I keep walking, eyes affixed straight ahead as I flip him off over my shoulder.
I exit the club onto the now-deserted sidewalk, the one that was filled only moments ago. Mav’s team must’ve cleared the block at the possibility of impending bloodshed. Glad one of us had the wherewithal to account for witnesses.
Jesus, I’m losing my mind. I tug at my hair, my busy thoughts drifting to the redhead asleep in my bed. Suddenly eager to get home, I fumble in my pockets for my keys, only to remember I’d given them to the valet who was most likely dismissed with the other employees.
Expelling a breath, I allow my head to fall back to the sky on a tired groan. I’m about to return inside to search for them when the ringing of my cell has me pulling my phone from my pocket.
UNKNOWN
The word on the screen has my body tensing, given there’s only one person who ever calls me from an unknown number. I answer, knowing ignoring the asshole isn’t an option.
“What?”
“Please tell me my sources are wrong and you did not just walk into Torque with a baseball bat?!” Alec Kelleman, my DEA handler screeches into the phone.
“Don’t see how that concerns you.”
The sound of items being thrown about on his end lets me know he doesn’t appreciate my cavalier attitude on the matter. “The deal is simple, Nick. You and Mav feed me info, and should that lead to an ironclad case against Yuri, you get full immunity and you’re out of the game. You can’t very well feed me info if you’re sitting in a jail cell.”
“Relax. With the money I pay my attorney, an assault charge wouldn’t slow me down.”
“Did I call the wrong number?”
“What?” My brows pull together in question, only to become distracted when a pair of headlights turn onto the block.
“Did I call the wrong number? Am I talking to Maverick?”
“What are you rambling about?” I ask, though my gaze remains trained on the car slowly creeping up on me, traveling far below the speed limit.
“I was under the impression I called the one with a brain, but the way you’re talking I must be wrong. Because if I was talking to the one with a brain, he would realize when you’re stuck smack in the middle of the Bratva and a half-dozen federal investigations trying to nail your ass to the wall, you do not call unnecessary attention to yourself! I cannot, nor will I, put my ass on the line for you if you’re going to start going rogue on me. Do I make myself clear, Nick?!”
My hand creeps into my waistband, preparing to withdraw my gun when the headlights suddenly cut out. From this distance, I can see Andrei—Yuri’s lieutenant—in the passenger seat. The car pulls up beside me just as a smug little smirk crawls across his lips.
“NICK!” Alec roars in my ear.
“Understood,” I respond dryly, cutting the call.
“Daniel,” Andrei greets me, his eyes alight with amusement.
After casting a quick glance up and down the street, my eyes return to the fucking ogre before me. “Andrei. What brings you out here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. You and Maverick having a little dispute?” He cocks a brow, taking in my disheveled appearance.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We’ve got eyes everywhere, Conners. You walked in here not even twenty minutes ago brandishing a baseball bat. Yuri would like me to remind you you’ve got no authority to move on Bishop.” Judging by the fact they think I was here for Mav and not Luc shows those eyes don’t extend to inside the club. And even though Yuri despises Mav, he can’t have me taking out the guy who washes his money for him without having a replacement lined up.
“Tell Yuri he’s got nothing to worry about. We were simply having a discussion.”
“And the bat?”
“We’re starting a baseball team.” I press my hand to his door frame, bending down to see inside the car. “You guys interested?” My eyes shift between Andrei and the driver, who looks just as stupid as him. “Come on, between the two of you, who’s pitching, who’s catching? Your secret’s safe with me.”
The driver looks to me, eyes wide with shock. “Is that some kind of gay joke?” His heavily accented voice shouts with offense. “I don’t take it up the ass!”
“Pitcher. Got it.” I nod, shifting my attention back to Andrei. “Gotta say, buddy, didn’t peg you for a bottom. Pun intended.”
Andrei’s face falls, his eyes narrowing before he manages to compose himself. “How’s your sister, Daniel? Graduating soon, right? Maybe we should all take a trip out to USC. A woman as fine as her? She deserves to be celebrated… with a bang.”
