Ruthless Heart

No, the only thing I care about is what she’s willing to do right now.

“And her father?”

Chase shakes his head. “She wouldn’t give him up. The brother, neither. I didn’t go too hard, figured you’d enjoy getting the info out of her.”

I nod. “I will.”

Chase grins. “People need to know. Doesn’t matter if it’s been ten years, or a hundred. You cross a fucking Barretti, and we’ll find you in the end.”

I nod again. I know the code. It runs as deep as blood in our organization. There’s no virtue greater than loyalty. And Lily’s father sinned worst of all.

“Roman will be pleased,” Chase adds, gulping his drink. “Fuck, that family stole his life from him. Ten years locked up—and another ten to go. Death is too kind for a betrayal like that.”

Roman. I can just imagine my father when he gets the news—if his jailhouse whisper network hasn’t already told him. Even behind bars, he’s feared and respected. And he raised me to be just the same. Brutal. Uncompromising.

Ruthless.

“I’ll get the information out of her,” I say, finishing my drink. “Her father, her brother, everyone. But nobody touches her aside from me. I mean it,” I add, narrowing my eyes. “Spread the word. She’s under my protection until the moment I decide it ends.”

“Yes, boss.” Chase drawls, teasing. We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember, and I know there’s nobody who has my back like him. He winks at me. “Have fun with that.”

I scowl. There’s nothing fun about dredging up old memories with Lily Fordham, which is why I need to keep my eyes on the prize.

“Is Miles back?” I change the subject, asking about one of my lieutenants, a guy I’ve tasked with my most tricky legal problems.

“Not yet.” Chase takes another drink. “I don’t know why you’re running in circles for this politician. Just stick some cash in a briefcase and the guy will do whatever we want.”

I shake my head. “This guy’s different. He’s not some chump on the liquor board, it’s going to take finesse to get him to go along with my plans.”

“It’s a distraction, that’s what it is,” Chase says, a note of complaint creeping into his voice. “C’mon, Nero. You’ve been chasing this deal for way too long. We’ve got more pressing business on the table. We need to lock down the new import routes out of South America, my guys are working on a connect at the port—”

“And we will.” I cut him off. “Or are you saying I can’t multitask?”

Chase backs down in a hurry.

“Course not,” he says, with a grin. “But all work and no play…”

“I’ll play plenty when this deal is all sewn up.”

The deal of a lifetime. The one that will take the Barretti organization off the streets—from low-life protection rackets and dealing to a legit, multi-million dollar business enterprise. If I can get this politician to play ball.

“Why not get started early?” Chase grins, nodding to the storeroom where Lily is waiting. “I’m sure she learned plenty of tricks out there in Vegas.”

My cock twitches with anticipation at the thought. Whatever she learned, I’m sure as hell going to find out.

Lily Fordham owes me.

And now it’s time to collect.