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I snickered. “So violent.”
“And you’d be wise to remember that.” He winked and sauntered away.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Vincenzo
I had my back to the wall, surveying the room…mostly any and every area where Fred was. Snow had just walked away from him and judging by their postures, it had been a serious conversation.
I felt him before I saw him; the man was imposing. “One thing I can’t figure out,” he said. “Are you the head of Lex Talionis, or just one of the…what do you all call it, exercitus?”
I turned and took in the man beside me. Slightly taller than me, his long sandy-blond hair with many steaks of gray was tied in a low ponytail. His eyes were practically gold, and it was as if I were standing in a field being hunted by a lion.
“You must be…” I tilted my head. “What do they call you, Black?”
He smirked. “So you’re Vincenzo.”
I wasn’t sure if I should have been thrown off-kilter by how easily he’d figured out who I was. He wasn’t a threat, per se, but he also wasn’t an enemy I wanted.
“I’d implore you to keep that tidbit of information quiet.”
He hummed. “I’m not stupid.”
“Oh, I’m well aware.”
I faced the room, again zeroing in on Fred, who was now speaking with who I believed was Lorcan, one of his shot-callers. I’d spent many waking moments going over the faces and names of his operation.
“How bad is it?” Black asked.
“Well, two people who shouldn’t be are in the ground, so I’d say bad.”
Black snorted. “You’re sarcastic, and it’s charming. But for real.”
I sighed. To anyone else I’d have said it was under control, but Black was my equal. He ran an elite assassin organization, I was familiar with his practice, and I had an inkling he was aware of mine. He’d understand better than most.
“There are too many people in the shadows right now.”
From my periphery, I saw him nod. “Gotta shine some light, then.”
“Keeping Fred safe is most important, and I think finding out the ringleader in all of this is the only way to do it.”
“You’ve taken a liking to the redheaded menace.”
I chuckled. “I’ve thought of him as more of a brat, but yes, he’s a good man undeserving of his fate.”
“He’s certainly been through a lot.”
“I’ll keep him safe.”
Black bumped his shoulder into mine. “I’m sure you will,” he rumbled before walking over to his husband, who was talking with Snow now.
I watched as Aiden moved toward Fred with a full plate of food and encouraged him to eat. The two sat at a table, where it appeared they were making small talk in between people coming over to pay even more respects. If Fred ate a quarter of the food in front of him, I’d have been surprised.
I gestured for Zion to come over, and once he did I said, “Make sure there’s food prepared upon our return.” He nodded and returned to his post.
The rest of the repast was uneventful, as I’d hoped. Christopher and the others from Haven Hart kept their distance from me, with Black the exception. There was no doubt that if they all approached me, who was there as extra security, it would garner much unwanted attention.
I ushered Fred into the SUV, and Aiden requested to drive. With no reason to refuse, Fred allowed it. That left Fred and me in the back together.
