Kingpin (Court University 2)

I didn’t, but assumed he was from the Marvelli family. I shook my head, and he nodded.

“Leonardo Marvelli.” He reached for my hand then, a hard shake I took before he sat back. He lifted his chin. “Though to the public, I go by Le

o Pearson. My mother’s maiden name.”

Well, that name I definitely recognized. Leo Pearson was like a senator or some shit. I mean, he used to be. I’d heard his name a lot freshman year, since that was when the elections were and new people were taking office. My lips parted. “You were a senator.”

“Yes, hence the name change.” He chuckled, the sound light. “My family name hasn’t always had the best associations with it. And I’m sorry for all the cloak and dagger.” He lifted and dropped his hand. “I’m not in politics anymore, but people still know my face. I just wanted to meet somewhere I wouldn’t be recognized, and definitely not at a police station. I’ve heard my name in the papers enough over the years and don’t really want to add another byline to it. I figured here, the police could still see you while at the same time, give us a little privacy.”

“Privacy for what?” I asked. The dude made me get in his car and that didn’t sit well with me.

A smile touched his eyes now, an array of genuineness there this guy definitely hadn’t earned from me. At least, not yet. Even still, he attempted to give it to me, his fingers lacing on his crossed legs. “To thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

“For whatever your involvement was in my brother’s arrest.”

“Your brother. As in…” My eyes twitched wide. “You’re Alexi’s brother?”

“The one and only. Though, I wish I wasn’t. There’s a reason I took my mother’s name and stayed the hell clear of my father’s. My brother has dragged it through the mud. Used our father’s legacy for his own personal gain for years when he became head of the family. My father built his companies from the ground up as an immigrant. Well, when he died, my brother took creative license to turn the Marvelli name into the one it is today. It’s become one of fear, and I hate that. It goes against everything I stood for in my previous line of work.”

Shocked, I sat back.

Leo sighed. “Well, now that my brother is behind bars and I’m next in line, I’m making changes. I have my family to think about, both close and extended. I plan to get us out of the game and the messes my brother has dragged us into.”

“What about Alexi?”

“I love my brother. I do, but I’ll honestly be surprised if, after he’s tried and charged, he’ll even make it out of prison. He’s made a lot of enemies everywhere, and most of them are behind bars. He’ll most likely befall his fate there. I hate it, but that’s probably what’s going to happen.”

“You still good, Lance?” I heard in my ear, and since I thought I was, I smiled.

“Yeah, you hearing this,” I said to the detective.

“Every word.” A smile in the man’s voice.

The same one faced right back at me, Leo. He nodded. “I guess I just wanted to say thanks and give my personal apologies for any issues you’ve had with my brother. You or the authorities will see no retaliation from the Marvelli family. I’m not entirely sure of your involvement in my brother’s case, but since I heard your name around, I wanted to meet with you personally, give you some peace of mind, I guess.”

I appreciated that, and when his hand came out, I shook it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Let the authorities know that too.”

“We heard,” came into my ear, and I laughed.

I smiled. “They heard.”

Another nod from Leo. “Well, I guess this is good day then. I hope it’s a good one.”

I had a feeling it would be, and after letting Leo go, I went about my own. I made it to the electricity van across the street, and though I got a good scolding for going rogue, I got a pat on the back too.

“We appreciate all your help with this, Lance,” the detective said, smiling when he shook my hand. “Maybe you should consider a job in law enforcement.”

Nah, didn’t think that would be happening, but I was glad I’d been able to help. After shaking the detective’s hand, it turned out he hadn’t been the only one who wanted to shake.

Billie’s dad had shown up, the prosecutor himself. He obviously didn’t have to be there, but came through anyway. He also shook my hand, commended me on how brave I was.

“Well, these guys had my back,” I said, referring to the detective and his team. They were all wrapping things up. I eased hands into my pockets. “And I feel like he wasn’t the only one.”

The man personally had fought to make sure I’d been looked out for, my family too, and I more than appreciated that.