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The boss chuckled. “It’s Ryan. Your father’sgodson and my, ah, eldest. It’s a long story, but he’s in the StormCrows’ motherhouse, or whatever they call it. And he’s in KansasCity, too, hunting Ben.”
“Well, shit.” Dane didn’t know how else hecould have responded. He thought back over his entire life, andcame up blank for any passing remark about his dad having a godson.Let alone a Fitzgerald one. “Dad never mentioned him.”
“Ryan’s mother is not a fan of ourfamily.”
“Ah. Does, uh, Ryan know he’s hunting hislittle brother?”
“No,” Adam answered quickly. “And I preferhe not find out unless absolutely necessary. His mother didn’t wantme involved with Ryan or his sister, and I kept my distance.”
“She afraid he’s going to fall in with thewrong crowd? Because I got some bad news for her about the StormCrows.”
“She considers us the worstoption.”
“That’s a fucking joke, right?” Danecouldn’t keep the disbelief off his face.
Adam shrugged. “The devil you know, Dane.She’s from down South, their home territory. We’re the wickedChicago bogeymen.”
Dane shrugged. “Okay. That’s fair.”
“Is it?” Adam’s electric blue eyes rolledskyward. “I mostly call it annoying as hell. But that’s an oldfight. And it goes without saying I don’t want Ryan hurt. I’malready losing one son in this godforsaken disaster. If it’spossible, steer Ben clear of him.”
Would be easier if somebody told theirkids the truth. Dane caught himself before saying it. He likedbeing alive. Not that Ryan was still a kid if he was Adam’seldest—that put him over Ethan, who was almost thirty—and he wasrunning point for an outlaw club’s board of directors.Damn. Onemore piece of homework.He’d need a proper dossier on the guy’scurrent movements. That meant calling his contacts before he walkedinto an unknown shitshow. “I’ll keep an eye on him, Boss. Nobodywill touch him.”
“With a Crow patch on his back, I doubtthat.” Adam’s smile held a sardonic edge. “But maimed is betterthan dead.” He paused, picking up another piece of paper andglancing over its contents before refocusing on Dane. “That samecaution goes for you too, kid. I know I’m being a fucking bastardwith this.”
“Like you said. He’s forced your hand.” Danewouldn’t go as far as to say it wasn’t Adam’s fault. They’d bothplayed a role in Ben’s madness. The whole collective Family hadfucked up by not dropping Ben to the bottom of the lake yearsago.
“I’m putting Sawyer on call—if you needbackup or figure out your emotions are too deep with this, you geta one-time exit. No harm, no foul. If I had anybody else Benwouldn’t gut on sight, I wouldn’t send you. But whatever shit he’sstirring, Ben’s running a silent ship to do it. We need eyes onhim. Fast.”
“If I need backup, it won’t be for myemotions. And Duro…” Dane clicked his tongue and straightened hisshoulders. “I’ve never failed to finish a job.”
“True.” Adam nodded. “I won’t keep you.There’s a hell of a lot to get done and no time to lose.”
Dane gathered up the papers and cash. Adamtossed him a nondescript black bag for them. “I’ll be gone in acouple days. I’ll need to butter the bread and make sure my exithere gets back to Ben the right way.”
“I trust you.” Adam spread his weatheredhands, sighing. “Try to have some fun, will you? You look almostworse than me.”
Dane smirked. “If the Mississippi turns red,you’ll know I really let loose, Boss.”
“Good man.” Adam’s chuckle followed him outthe door.
Dane waved to Vince on his way by, notstopping until he reached sunlight. He turned, staring at themansion’s familiar, ridiculously ornate facade, his eyes catchingon a particular window. But it was dark, the curtains drawn.She’s already gone.He hefted the bag and headed for hisMercedes GT.
****
Peoria,Illinois, Later That Day
“You finally got Hot Bodyguard to noticeyou? And you do it when I can’t even witness the morning-aftermeltdown in person?” Brenna all but tackled her at the front doorof their house, laughing at Zara’s wincing deflection.
“There wasn’t much of a meltdown.” The ridedown had been relaxing, mostly because she’d spent the three hourscatching up on Netflix dramas. Since Dad demanded her presence overbreaks, he had the courtesy to provide transportation. She’d beenso wrapped up in making sure all her bags made it to the porchshe’d been stupidly unprepared to get accosted at the frontdoor.
“Lying hussy.” Brenna seized her arm. “Comeon.”
Zara half-turned back, but her father’sdriver was already hightailing it down the street. “Thebags.”
“Fine. Wouldn’t want to risk whateverBalenciaga bullshit your stepmom weighed you down with this time,huh?” Brenna let go, grabbing two bags while Zara wheeled theremaining two. Her roommate’s bright-green eyes danced as lightlyas her dainty feet along the house’s hardwood flooring.
Living with Brenna was like sharing a treewith a manic, often tipsy Tinkerbell. Except instead of pixie dust,Brenna trailed paint chips and clay. Zara tried not to feel a stabof envy when she saw Brenna’s latest ruined sweatshirt piled in acorner by the hamper at the end of the hall. She’d wanted to studyfashion and design at the School of Art in Chicago. Instead, hereshe was, a disinterested marketing major with a studio art minor,dreaming away semesters in Peoria because her father didn’t wanther further from home. She might’ve been allowed for an Ivy Leagueplacement, like Ethan or Derek, but she’d never had those gradesand wasn’t sharp enough in ballet to go pro.One more boring,disappointing middle child in a family full ofthem.The thought weighed her steps down, so shefocused on Brenna’s questions.
