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“Sure. So if I tell them to slit Felix’s throat?”
Audibly uncomfortable, Harrison shuffles in his seat. The dude islistening toeverythingI say, and soon, he’ll report back to Micah all the things I’ve admitted. Confirming he was right, even without names mentioned or crimes detailed. Then to Felix, theslitting his throatthreat I so casually make.
“Where do their loyalties lie when Felix and I are not on the same side of an argument?”
“You and Felix are not arguing. I mean, except for the fact you’re bickering every single fucking time you speak. But that’s family. That’s not serious.”
“Archer!”
“It’s okay.” He breathes out a hefty exhale and turns his head, so I hear the bristle of his collar against his stubble. “Micah is a good man. The fact that he told you isn’t a threat. It’s just… honesty. He knows, and now you know he knows.”
“And what exactly will he do with that information?”
“The same as we’ll do with the knowledge he tortured and murdered a man last week. He does things, Mayet. He hurts people. We both know it. Doesn’t mean we’re tossing him to the cops.”
“Youarethe cops!” Frustration rolls through my belly and bursts out to make a mess of us both. “Archer, he’s a mafia criminal, you’re an ex-mafia criminal, and now word of my crimes is spreading. Should we simply go to prison and hang out in the yard during free time?”
“You’re being dramatic. And they don’t let men and women co-mingle anyway. This isn’t a huge deal,” he decides. “He’s a Malone. Malones belong to a world where loose lips aren’t an option. Don’t admit it to him, he won’t tell anyone else. It’ll be something between the both of you, but it’ll be something that goes unsaid. How far are you from the courthouse?”
“I don’t know! Like?—”
“Ten minutes,” Harrison mumbles, proving he hears too much. “Perhaps eight if traffic remains light.”
Snarling, I bring my attention back to the phone. “Did you catch that?”
Archer snickers, entirely too fucking blasé about a topic he almost ended our relationship over less than a year ago. “He’s not gonna tell anyone either. Listen babe, I have to go.”
“Arch—”
“I’m working, but I promise I’ll call you when I clear a second. Don’t sweat the Micah stuff, okay? I’ll call him later and set some shit straight. He won’t mention it again.”
“Effectively admitting he’s right.”
“You already admitted it! All over this call,” he chuckles. “His men are listening to you, so they’re gonna drop you off, go back to the house, he’ll ask how the drive went, they’ll tell him you called me and lost your shit. That’s a confession, even if you don’t say it to his face. But even with all those extra ears, no one but him knows the truth. Your secrets are still safe, and I’ll talk to him, like I said, to make sure he’s on the same page as I am.”
“And what page is that?”
“The kind that dies with that information still tucked safely away. He won’t be a problem for you. You saved his life, remember?”
Did I? I remember sticking needles in his ass and feeding him anti-inflammatories for a few days.
“That’s a debt he’ll always remember. So don’t worry about it.”
“Archer—”
“I have to go. Love you.”
“Archer!”
The call goes dead. The line cuts out and my husband remains a whole country away from me. “Dammit!” I drag the phone from my ear and growl when a rock lands in my inbox. “He didn’t tell me where the shooting was. Or who the target was.”
“I could find that information out for you if you wish, Doctor Mayet.” Harrison remains on his side of the car, tucked away so he doesn’t accidentally touch me. “I heard the part where Detective Malone is investigating a new shooting.” He takes out his phone and shows me the blackened screen. “I could get the details before we reach our destination.”
“Oh great. You’re one ofthosetypes. Give a man the internet, and he can find anything out about anyone.”
“Doctor—”
“No! It’s fine.” I stare out at the city as we pass through moderate traffic. “And forget everything you heard during this drive. Tell Micah nothing.”
