AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tech Bro: That’s a good idea. I still have the data mirrored and stored on a hard drive. Could save me time looking for other connections.
Having a plan of action puts my racing thoughts into a time-out. When I’m about to end the conversation, my phone buzzes with another text from Omari.
Tech Bro: Since it seems this thing with Sansone is significant, know I’m here for you if shit is good or goes bad. I can have you in another country and have his entire enterprise fucked up at the click of your fingers.
As long as I’ve worked with Omari, we’d never gotten too personal. So it’s no wonder I get teary-eyed at his offer. Speechless, I send him a heart and the hands pressed in prayer emojis.
Although my problems will still be with me in the morning, the return trip to bed is lighter than when I went downstairs. Looks like my fleeting stint might not be so temporary after all.
CHAPTER 27
Sansone
“Are you sure you want to have this discussion with Zakiya feet away from us?” Valentino asks as he swigs a bottle of beer.
We’re at his place to start a new tradition, Sunday dinner. While the staff prepares our meal, Tácito and Sloane help Jinx and Zakiya learn more sign language, and Valentino and I sit on the shaded side of the patio. Teodoro rests in a bassinet beside his father. Although my brother and Tácito frequently cook for Sloane, they don’t for anyone else.
“If we have this conversation in your office Zakiya would be more suspicious. Don’t overreact and things will be cool.”
“You realize all that needs to happen is Tácito glances over here and reads our lips.” Valentino tips his bottle to them and smiles.
“Don’t tell me he can’t keep a secret.”
Valentino chuckles. A dark thread of humor runs through the sound. “Oh, he’s very adept at keeping secrets. We’re working on why that’s a problem.”
“I know what you mean.” I stare at Zakiya, still angry at the danger she puts herself in.
“How soon are you looking to make this happen?”
“Inhumanly. However, I understand our allies require an invitation. I’ll also want all the legal paperwork ready to go the same day.”
“Has she said yes?”
“She will,” I grit.
“Why do I feel she and Sloane share a lot in common?” Valentino smiles as he takes another sip of his beer.
“You have no idea.”
“Alright, I’ll be in touch in a couple days.” He places his empty bottle on the table. “By the way, what did you think of Dusan Gianopulos last night?”
“I don’t trust him.” I keep Dusan’s connection to Zakiya to myself. I have more than one reason not to trust the man.
“Your gut?” Valentino asks.
“Yeah. He’s too solicitous for my taste.” I realize I’m frowning, so I clear my expression in case our family looks our way.
“Your instincts are on point. He’s a fucking liar. Remember, he said he had connections to To Syndikáto? The only connection is they share a home country. The man is up to no good. And somehow he’s made inroads with the police, though no one as high up as our connections.”
“Figures.” I snort. “This gives me more reason to suspect him of stealing from me.”
“The warehouse?”
“Brothel, too. I’m waiting for confirmation.”
A maid enters and whispers in Valentino’s ear.
He clenches his jaw and waves her away.
