Dylan heard Ethel sigh, and he felt every muscle in his body tighten.
“Jason, you have to let Mitrofanov go.” She shook her head. “There’s nothing else you have that lets you legally hold him any longer.”
Dylan didn’t like having to work within the confines of the law in this kind of situation.
There was more discussion between Cam, Black, Jason, and Ethel, but none of it led to a different outcome.
The bastard was going to be released.
Jason went back to Mitrofanov’s cell. When he brought the fucker back through his office, the smile on his fat face made Dylan sick.
“Your Honor,” Niklaus said, bowing slightly to Ethel. “We’ve not had the pleasure.”
“There’s no pleasure from me, Mr. Mitrofanov,” she snapped back. “None at all.”
“Pity. For a woman of your age, you’re quite lovely.” Then the creep turned around the room as if he’d conquered all of them. In a way, he had. “I could sue you, Sheriff. I could sue all of you for false arrest.”
“Try it,” Jason said through clenched teeth. “Make my day.”
Why was it that assholes like this mobster got to skate? Unlike Cam, Dylan hated how the wheels of justice ran, especially now. Especially when it came to Erica’s safety.
Mitrofanov turned and looked at him and Cam. “You two have quite a job on your hands.”
“What do you mean?” he asked flatly, weighing his options.
“I’m just a concerned citizen. I’ve heard the whispers of what’s going on around town.” The bastard smiled. “How is Miss Erica? I’m sure you two know how bad things can happen to good people. She’s one of the prettiest good girls I’ve ever seen.”
Dylan punched the bastard in the face.
Mitrofanov stumbled and fell to the floor.
Dylan hadn’t lost his control. Quite the contrary. He was making a point to the bastard. He wanted Niklaus focused on him not on Erica. Come for me, fucker. I’ve been trained on how to deal with your kind.
“I should sue.” Niklaus glared at all of them and rubbed his chin.
Cam looked down at the fat piece of shit. “Why don’t you sue me and my brother, asshole?”
Mitrofanov took a deep breath and a smile reappeared on his ugly face. “But I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m new here.”
When it came to scumbags like Niklaus Mitrofanov, there was only one course of action. For the first time since the incident that made him choose to leave the Agency, Dylan was actually considering taking a human life again. One less mobster above ground would make the world a better place.
Niklaus got back on his feet, bumping into Cam, who stepped back. “This is my home now. Destiny. What a name for a town. My son died here. He was so misguided. I, too, had a past in crime. That was long ago, you understand. A lifetime ago. I just want to get to know everyone here and become a leader in the community. You’ll see.” Niklaus held out his hand to Dylan. “You, sir, will be the first to mend the fences between us.”
“Hell will freeze over before I ever shake your hand,” he told the bastard.
* * * *
8:09 a.m., Friday – TBK Tower, Destiny, Colorado
Erica tried her office phone again, but still heard nothing but static. The Texans needed to get that fixed. She reached into her purse for her cell to call them. It vibrated in her hand. She looked at the tiny screen and saw she’d gotten a text from Cam. He must’ve found his cell.
Meet me by your car in the parking lot. ASAP.
* * * *
8:11 a.m., Friday – Lobby in TBK Tower, Destiny, Colorado
Dylan was first through the door and past security. Cam was right behind. They were rushing to get to Erica. With Mitrofanov back on the streets, he and Cam had to make sure she was safe. She wouldn’t like going back to being escorted everywhere, but that was just how it had to be until Niklaus was either back in jail, out of Destiny, or dead.