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I wanted so much to wrap myself in those words and hide away. “Wanting to relax and trust those words and needing to only rely on myself are currently at odds with each other, Snow.”
“Hmm…indeed.” He eyed the people moving about, sitting, dare I say laughing. “You’re certainly in the viper’s nest, Fred.”
“I’ll find who did this.”
He smirked, eyes glittering with his ever-present mischief. “I have no doubt.” He inched closer and lowered his voice. “We can step in. Christopher and Simon very much want to.”
I nodded. “I know, but until I know who did this, the more muscle I bring in, the more likely whoever is responsible will flee.”
He tilted his head and smiled. “You’ve become quite the boss, Fred. Pity you don’t want it.”
That was an understatement. “What’s funny is they killed my uncle, who was everything they wanted in a leader. Why? I’d have handed it over to him and gone back to the hospital.”
Snow tugged on my suit jacket and dragged me, respectfully, over to a corner where no one was mingling.
“So you’re positive it’s in-house, then?”
Nodding I said, “Has to be. I think the Bleeding Angels were a setup, but someone was hired to make it appear like it was them.”
“You need to focus on the shooters, Fred. Work backward on this. My bet is that whoever is responsible for the act will fold as soon as they are found out. They were probably promised money and protection. When they realize they were found, they’ll fold.”
It was logical. “I’m going to set up a meeting with the Bleeding Angels. I’m sure they aren’t too keen on the idea that someone is framing them for a mob hit.”
Snow sniffed. “I think in the end, whoever did this will wish they’d never been born.”
“Oh, of that I’m sure.” I bit my lip, a wave of sadness washing over me.
“What was that?” Snow asked. “You thought of something.”
I surveyed the room, my gaze stopping briefly over Vincenzo, Zion, and Aiden. “I’m just afraid of what I’ll uncover and if it’ll…” I sighed.
“Lex Talionis? You think they’re part of it?”
“No, I can’t explain it, but I don’t think they are.”
Snow nodded. “Nor do we. It’s not their way.”
“Right.”
“So then what is it?”
“I’ll have to dole out the punishment, Snow.”
Snow pursed his lips and stared at me for a second…the longest second of my life.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, Fred.”
I closed my eyes and chuckled darkly. “It’s serious if Shakespeare is quoted.”
Snow grinned. “Indeed it is.”
“I need to mingle, unfortunately.”
Snow patted my arm. “Haven Hart is a phone call away, and if you think Poe won’t have his ear to the ground listening for even a chirp, you’re crazy.”
“I appreciate that. It’s nice to not feel so utterly alone.”
Snow’s expression became serious. “You’re not that, never that, Fred. We’re here for you and if you need reminding, I’ll happily smack you to remind you.”
