Absolution (The Protectors 1)

“Why did he do it?” Cole asked.

Ronan shifted his attention to Cole and said, “The contract is worth a quarter of a million dollars. Benny’s excuse was that he had gambling debts.”

An excuse that had fallen on deaf ears if I knew Ronan.

“Where does a lowlife pimp get that kind of cash?” I asked.

“Mateo didn’t put out the contract. His brother did.”

I heard Jonas gasp and I took my attention off of Ronan long enough to lean down and put my lips next to Jonas’s ear. “It’s going to be okay,” I whispered. “He won’t ever touch you again.”

Jonas nodded but then his fingers bit into my hand where I’d draped it against his chest. Instead of straightening, I took the chair Ronan offered me after he stood up. I saw a flash of something go through Ronan as his eyes studied Jonas but it was gone just as quickly.

When Jonas had settled, I gave Ronan a quick nod.

“Eduardo took over things when Mateo went to prison but he’s doing more than just dealing in drugs and prostitution. He’s built quite a name for himself in the world of human trafficking and it looks like he wants his baby brother back to help him run the business.”

“Does Casey know?” Jonas asked.

Ronan actually seemed reluctant to answer Jonas’s question and when he glanced at me first, I knew whatever he was going to say was going to make things even worse than they already were.

“I called Devlin after I learned about the contract on your life. Although we didn’t find one for Casey, there’s the possibility Eduardo will put one out on her if the D.A. decides to call her as a witness in Carrie’s death. He may have held off because Mateo’s lawyers could easily discredit her based on who her father is and the fact that her own case was dismissed.”

“Oh God,” Jonas whispered.

“Devlin had just learned about the dismissal. They were preparing to come back to the States when Casey…”

Jonas straightened and released my hand. “What? She what?”

“There were some complications with the pregnancy. She and the baby are fine but the doctors are worried about the stress she’s under so she’s on bed rest. Probably for the remainder of the pregnancy. She can’t fly home.”

Jonas paled. “I have to talk to her,” he said, automatically jumping up.

Cole grabbed him gently and said, “She’s okay, Jonas. We’ll call her as soon as we’re done here.”

Jonas hesitated and then nodded and lowered himself back down. I could tell he was checking out so I turned my attention to Ronan.

“They need protection.”

“Devlin’s already hired some people. I sent Hawke to keep an eye on things.”

I nodded. Michael “Hawke” Hawkins was one of Ronan’s best men. I knew next to nothing about him but I’d seen him in action on more than one occasion. All of Devlin Prescott’s wealth couldn’t have found him a better man.

“What happens next?” Cole asked, though his eyes were on Jonas.

“If the plea is overturned next week, the D.A. will seek to re-indict and he’ll want Jonas to testify in front of the Grand Jury. That’s probably why Eduardo hired other guys to go after Jonas the other night…Benny was taking too long to get the job done.”

I nodded and then stood up and moved closer to Ronan. I spared Cole a glance and saw understanding in his gaze. He knew what needed to happen. My eyes shifted to Jonas who seemed to be in a daze.

“Can you get me whatever you’ve got on Eduardo?” I said to Ronan.

Ronan didn’t question my request. He simply nodded. “I’m looking into what can be done about Mateo.”

“What?” Jonas said, his voice uneven. I heard his chair scrape back and then he was shoving between me and Ronan. “What are you doing?”

“Cole,” I said but as soon as Cole stood, Jonas put his hand out to stop him.

“No!” he said firmly. “No, you are not doing this. I won’t let you.”

I settled my hands on Jonas’s upper arms but he shrugged them off. “I said no!”

“Jonas…”

But he whirled on Ronan and shouted, “Do you even give a shit about him?” Ronan looked caught off guard by the attack but he didn’t even get a chance to respond. “Did you really think you were saving him when you offered him a job where he fucking killed people?”

“Jonas,” I said, grabbing Jonas’s arm.

Jonas shoved me off but turned back to me. “I heard you and Cole last night. He’s the one, isn’t he?” he asked as he slashed his finger at Ronan. “The man you said offered you something you wanted more than anything else.”

I nodded because I was too overwhelmed to speak. I’d meant to tell Jonas about my past when I was stronger…when I no longer had to worry about losing him over the betrayal I’d inflicted on him.