Kingpin (Court University 2)

The detective working the Marvelli case coached in my ear while I strode down the street. I’d told Billie that the police planned to meet with the Marvellis.

I’d just left out the fact that person would be me.

The Marvelli family had asked to meet with me specifically, sending a representative on their behalf. I hadn’t told Billie because I hadn’t wanted to worry her, and the police assured me they had my back on this. They said they’d have me completely surrounded at any given time, and I think the only reason I trusted them was because of Billie’s dad. He made sure I always had someone around me, security detail out the ass watching over me. He’d fought for me and my family, as well as Niko’s. He made sure people were there keeping an eye on things, an eye on them, and as far as I was concerned, the man made good on his promise to his daughter.

Her dad did right by me, had me covered enough that I felt safe in this situation, a downtown cafe today’s meeting spot. The Marvellis wanted neutral ground, and I did too, but I wouldn’t go without the police in my ear. They had a wire on me, but I highly doubted this rep wouldn’t know about it. In fact, they probably assumed, which was why they wanted to meet on neutral ground in the first place. Out in the open assured no trouble.

On both parts.

Letting out a breath, I headed down the street toward the cafe. The cops dropped me off about a block away, well within view of the cafe, and they had another car positioned on the opposite side of the street. Any trouble and they’d come in, but I didn’t expect any trouble. These people weren’t stupid, and the cops had already gotten Alexi, so I highly doubted they wanted to make waves. I came upon the street crossing before getting over to the cafe, but had to stop when the light changed, a cluster of people around me.

“Not long now, Lance,” Detective Guthrie said in my ear. “We got your back. We’re watching.”

I looked out for them. Though I couldn’t see the authorities, I supposed that was the point. Breathing hard, I waited for the light to change when suddenly a guy brushed my arm.

I glanced over at him, the man in shades talking on a cell phone. Shrugging the brush off as nerves, I stared ahead, waiting for the light change.

That was until he touched my arm.

“Pass the cafe,” he said, letting go and sliding his hand into his pocket. He kept the phone to his ear, a young guy like myself in jeans and a graphic tee. He didn’t look out of the ordinary, but maybe that was the point. He lifted his head. “Then keep walking and get into the first black sedan you see. It’ll be waiting for you.”

Frowning, I glanced up, and with no voices in my ear, I supposed the cops hadn’t picked up on what this guy clearly said to me on a crowded street corner.

Tension brewed immediately in my veins, and bracing my arms, I shook my head at the guy. I knew the cops were in my ear and didn’t want to incriminate myself with whoever this guy was.

The guy must have seen what I did because he nodded. After that, he shrugged a little. “Suit yourself. My employer would just like a solution that suits everyone’s interests. Keeps everyone safe.”

My heart jolted as the light changed, and before I knew it, this guy was on the move. I stood there, frozen and jaw slack. It took a moment for me to realize the detective was in my ear, asking what was wrong.

“Lance?”

“I’m good,” I mumbled, sprinting across the street in my jacket. The cafe sign with a peach and fancy lettering came up pretty quick, but without a thought, I kept walking. The guy said something about both our interests, safety, and that sure as hell stuck with me. They knew about Billie obviously, and if whatever this was kept her okay, my family…

“Lance, where are you going? You’ve passed the cafe. Lance?”

“Just trust me, all right?” I whispered, though I hoped he could. I wasn’t a betting guy, but at this point, I was all in here.

I found the black sedan easy, the thing was literally parked just beyond the cafe. Since it was out in the open, that made me feel only slightly better. The cops could see where I was going and follow if these people took me someplace.

Coming upon the ride, the front door clicked open. A man got out, a driver in a suit. He opened the back door, then put a hand out for me to go inside.

“Looks like he’s getting into a black sedan! Lance?”

I lifted a hand, but only just, swallowing before getting inside. Right away, I heard the detective’s voice again.

“He waved us off. Just… keep eyes on him for now,” Detective Guthrie said. “The windows aren’t tinted. Just one perp inside.”

The detective was right, only one man inside, and with the windows not tinted, this whole meeting was terribly obvious. Whoever this guy was, clearly wasn’t trying to hide.

Dressed sharp, the guy had dark hair, his look inquisitive. His legs crossed, he shifted a glance toward the window. Outside, a maroon-colored van took his attention, the words Sullivan Bros. Electric Co. marked on the side. He ticked a finger toward it. “I’m assuming your friends. Let them know you’re fine. This won’t take long. We aren’t going anywhere. I assure you.”

My mouth dry, I stared at the guy, clean-shaven and a cigar in his hands like he’d stepped straight out of The Sopranos. He had an air about him that screamed Alexi Marvelli and even looked like him, his face narrower and more physically fit in general. Alexi was a little on the hefty side, but this guy looked like some kind of politician. A slow breath eased from my lips. “I’m good, guys.”

“You’re good?” came into my ear.

“Yes, for now,” I said, then returned my attention to the guy sitting across from me. He wasn’t smiling, wasn’t doing anything really. He just stared right back. We were the only ones in this car, not even a driver in the front seat. The guy who let me in stood outside, his back to the door.

The man crossed his legs. “Do you know who I am, son?”