AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I won’t agree on that either.”
He pushes me away by my shoulders to hold me at arm’s length. “We need contingencies upon contingencies because this shit is risky enough, and I don’t want you taking on more than you should. My heart won’t take watching you fight off another giant.”
“We’ll get Omari involved. He’s a master at finding and filling gaps.” I take Sansone’s hand and lead him back to the trio who look at us expectantly.
“Zakiya wants a more active role in the execution.”
Valentino silently holds his hand out and Sloane and Tácito grumble as they slap five hundred dollars each onto his palm.
“Fratello, é una testa di cazzo.” Sansone sits with a huff then pulls me beside him.
“Did you make a bet on us?” I peer at each of the trio.
Sloane says, “I thought since I’m not going, you wouldn’t stand a chance at changing Sansone’s mind.”
“I don’t know you well enough, I guess. Looks like we are cursed to love strong-willed women.” Tácito receives an elbow to his ribs for his comment.
I turn to Valentino who wears a smug grin. “What can I tell you? Experience makes me knowledgeable.”
“Testa di cazzo,” Sansone mutters again before bringing my hand up to his lips for a kiss.
I’m getting used to how often he shows his affection, even while he’s annoyed. I bump his shoulder and kiss his cheek when he turns toward me.
“Zakiya…” The blue in his eyes blazes with heat.
“Now’s not the time for that shit,” Valentino interrupts, all humor gone. “It’s time to get down to business.”
I call Omari for real-time input into our plans.
“Our first challenge is knowing his routine,” I say, bringing out my multi-colored sticky notes.
Tácito, Valentino, and Sloane glance at each other then Sansone with an unasked question in their eyes. Sansone smiles, having seen my penchant for organization on a few occasions.
“I can help with the routine,” Omari’s voice is eager as he responds on the speaker. “I found a link in the copy of Milo’s hard drive that allowed me to connect to the server in Greece. Ifollowed the trail until I found a local server here in Douglas.” Loud clacking emits from the phone’s speaker. “I’ve done a little snooping over the past few days… and found it. I got an IP address for a house in the Hills.”
“How does the IP help with knowing Dusan’s schedule?” Sansone asks.
“We can get a physical address. And if I get into their security footage, I can piece together a pattern in his movements.”
“Omari, how long do you think that will take?” I lean closer to the phone.
“Confirming his presence? Done. I’m sending you the address now. Trying to predict his movements? I’ll need at least a week to observe him.”
Everyone in the room looks at each other, our impatience another presence cooling the aura surrounding us. Although the delay isn’t welcome, we have other avenues to explore. I reach for Sansone’s hand, and he laces our fingers together. Whatever happens, we have each other’s back. Omari is the only person I’ve relied on in dangerous situations, but this is different. I’ve never met Omari in person and could never feel for him the all-encompassing sense of rightness I have with Sansone.
After spending hours at Valentino’s, we end our planning session with a handful of tentative details hammered out. Not the progress any of us wanted, but without knowing Dusan’s whereabouts, it’s hard to strategize. We depart from the mayoral mansion to return to my home.
When we pull up my driveway, Mr. Murphy sits on a rocking chair I didn’t place on my porch. Sansone removes a sleepingJinx from her booster seat and carries her while we head toward the front door.
“Evening, Mr. Murphy,” I greet him, curious why he’s at my house this late at night.
He nods toward my group. “You should put the little one to bed. I’ll have a little sit while I wait.”
Sansone and I exchange a glance, recognizing a change in Mr. Murphy’s usual form of address. We nod and pass him to situate Jinx. The cats trail us. Their routine is to begin the night with Jinx, but early in the morning, they scratch at our door to let them in. When we do, their zoomies take over and no surface is safe from their leaping; especially no bodies lying under the covers. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to their knack for pouncing on my stomach at four in the morning.
We leave Jinx snuggled with the cats and return to see Mr. Murphy staring up at the starry sky.
“What’s this about?” Sansone asks.
