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“I have it handled.”
Nico scrubs a hand through his hair. He looks like he wants to argue but reluctantly leaves.
There’s nothing left to say. Only one person is stupid and aggressive enough to kill his own drivers.
And I’ve let him operate long enough.
25
BASS
Ispend the next week maneuvering more muscle to protect the corridor.
Every driver gets a heavily armed partner. Every shipment is double checked and shadowed by shooters. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and risky, but it keeps the flow moving.
But that’s only a temporary solution. Running men with drugs is one thing, but surrounding them with guns only makes the whole operation more conspicuous.
I have other plans. Those have to wait though.
“What do you think?” I gesture at the door of Skyvale’s penthouse room. “Are positive memories flooding you right now?”
Mari rolls her eyes. “Something’s flooding me but I wouldn’t say it’s positive.”
“Liar, you’re practically glowing.” I unlock the door and sweep her into my arms. She yelps as I pick her off her feet.
“What are you doing?!”
I carry her across the threshold and into the high-end suite. “I didn’t get a chance to do this when we first got married and I thought I’d do it properly.” I bring her into the living room where a bottle of champagne is already waiting on ice.
“Bass, what the heck is all this?”
“Call it a celebration.” I place her on the couch and pop open the drink. She laughs as some spills on the floor. “I’ll bill the owners.”
“Hilarious.” She accepts a glass and takes a sip. “Seriously, what’s the occasion?”
“Well, I have a meeting with your uncle downstairs shortly, but I thought I’d take the chance to have some quality time with you.”
“Bass!” She dodges when I try to pull her against me. “You’re only doing this because it’s convenient!”
“I’m doing it because I love being with you. Come on, tell me it’s not nice coming back here.”
She wanders over to the windows and looks out across the city. I join her, standing close, one hand possessively on her lower back.
The lights in the room are dim and I didn’t bother turning them all on. Normally, I’d walk through and make sure the place is bright as hell, but I don’t feel the urge right now.
Strange, actually.
“Yeah, it does feel nice. It was good seeing Sara. Hector’s still working here too but he’s hiding in the kitchen. I think he’s afraid of me.”
“He should be.”
“Nah, he’s a good guy. I don’t blame him for what happened.” She leans against me, head tilted back onto my chest. “It’s weird, is all. This place was a punishment, you know? It was supposed to be a prison.”
“How’s it feel now?”
“Different. Like I’m not trapped, I guess.” She turns and touches my cheek. “I wonder what changed?”
“I couldn’t begin to guess.” I dip down to kiss her lightly. “I have some guesses.” Another kiss and another follows. But she pulls back, dancing out of my reach again.
