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Leander shifted closer to me, ever so slightly. My heart rate kicked up a notch. Could it be as basic as that? The missing link we’d been searching for?
“Why are you telling us this?” Leander asked. His tone may have been quiet, but it was sharp and untrusting.
“Even though Giovanni is dead, we’re still running an investigation on the rest of his crew. What’s left of them, anyway,” Craig replied, shifting his weight to his back foot. “I was going through the surveillance transcripts from the other day and Easton came up.”
“What did they say?” I asked.
Diefendorf grimaced, hesitating for a minute, like he was weighing the pros and cons of his honesty. “Gianna’s right-hand man, Paulie Esposito, was talking about placing an order.”
Fuck.
Leander’s dark brows dipped down. “What does that mean?”
“It means she took out a hit on us,” I answered, still looking at Craig. There was more. That little wince he did when I confirmed the hit meant he was holding something back.
“And you came all this way just to tell us that?” Leander stood up straight, unfolding his arms. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, Agent, but someone blew up my friend at a goddamn funeral. I’d say we’re well aware someone wants us dead.”
Craig didn’t even flinch at news of the bombing. “We found ties between your kidnappers” — he nodded at me — “and the ones who killed your employee at the Romano warehouse. I put two and two together. But not soon enough, apparently.”
Leander bristled at the mention of Cole. I leaned into him slightly, hoping it would remind him to take a breath.
Diefendorf continued, lowering his voice. “You two need to be extremely careful. You don’t know what these people are capable of.”
I knew he was trying to be helpful, but I couldn’t help but smirk. Did he forget who he was talking to?
“When, exactly, did you put two and two together?” Leander asked through his teeth, his molars clenched so hard the muscle in the side of his jaw popped out.
“About two weeks ago. I was—”
“Two weeks ago?” Leander’s spine straightened even more than I thought was possible. He took a step forward, staring at Craig with unchecked rage. “Did you saytwoweeks ago?”
I straightened as well, sensing danger on the horizon. “Leander…”
“Two weeks ago you knew Marchese’s daughter was behind Bennett’s kidnapping and Cole’s murder? Two weeks ago would have beenbeforethe funeral,” Leander said, taking another step closer to Diefendorf. “BeforeOlivia was blown into a dozen pieces.” He seized the front of Craig’s suit jacket and shoved him into the bookcase. “If you would have called two weeks ago, she might still be alive!”
Diefendorf held up his hands defensively, not even bothering to try and guard himself.
I grabbed my husband from behind and hauled him off the agent before he did something stupid enough to land his ass in prison for real. “Easy… He’s not the enemy this time.”
Leander ripped himself out of my hands and stalked to the far side of the room, positively seething.
My attention snapped back to Craig, eyes narrowed. “Leander’s right. A phone call would have sufficed at any point. Why wait? And why the four-hour drive?”
“It’s complicated, ok? This was the earliest opportunity I had to get away and I didn’t want the information to fall into the wrong hands,” Craig replied, tugging on the bottom of his jacket to straighten it. Picking up the scattered photographs, he tossed them into his briefcase and smacked the lid shut.
“And by wrong hands, you mean your bosses?!” Leander interjected with a snarl, surging forward again. “Are they in on this too? We all know the mafia makes deals with everyone, even law enforcement!”
“Listen, I took a risk coming here,” Diefendorf spat. “But I did it because it’s therightthing to do, despite everything you put me through.” That time, he threw his glare in my direction.
I caught Leander by the elbow, pulling him back to safety and squeezing gently before facing Craig with a perfectly pleasant expression. “And I appreciate the warning. Are you staying in town long?”
He snorted. “I’m out of here first thing in the morning.”
“Do you have a place to stay?”
Craig shook his head. “I saw there’s a hotel down the block.”
“Perfect,” I said with a dazzling smile. “It’s one of the businesses Leander owns. We’ll get you sorted.” I gave Leander’s elbow another squeeze, making sure I pinched the nerve to get his attention.
