“You wouldn’t have,” Dylan said. “That ring means a lot to you and Cabeza knew that, that’s why he replaced your fake stones with those real ones.”
“So now we give the ring to the Vipers and they don’t come after me?” she said.
Dylan frowned. “But that’s your grandmother’s ring.”
“Not anymore,” she said sadly. “He ruined it. It doesn’t matter. What matters is getting the gang off my back. They’ll leave me alone now, won’t they?” She gazed at Rogan in worry.
“I’ll make sure of it.” Rogan took the ring and placed it inside the ring box the jeweler gave them. “I’ll put this in my safe and get Brandt to set up a meeting with Iker. He won’t bother you again.”
Dylan had no doubt that Rogan would get Iker to co-operate. Especially if the jeweler was right about the ring’s worth. It was considerably more than they were owed.
“I’m so glad it’s over. I can’t believe that Javier did this.”
“Bastard knew that you loved that ring and that you would keep it safe. He was just biding his time until he got out of jail and could retrieve it,” Dylan said.
“Until your friend told the Vipers that Javier was cheating them,” Rogan added.
“It still doesn’t feel right, you know. I wish I could just talk to her.”
Dylan was afraid that she wouldn’t like what Miller had to say.
***
Rogan studied at Iker as he took a seat. Colm stood behind him.
“You have the money?” Iker asked.
“I do.” Rogan pulled out the jewelry box and opening it, pushed it across the desk that was between them.
Iker snorted. “What’s this? You proposing to me?”
“It’s your money. Cabeza cashed it in for diamonds. They’re all real. I had a jeweler appraise them.” He pulled out the appraisal, which Iker read over carefully.
“That bastard,” Iker growled. He reached for the box, but Rogan snatched it back.
“Not so fast.”
Iker eyed him coldly. “That’s my money, Rogan.”
“And you’ll be getting it back and then some if you read that appraisal properly. I want your assurances that this is the end. You’ll leave Cabeza’s ex alone.”
Iker squinted. “She could run her mouth about this. She’s a loose end I don’t like.”
“She’s under my protection.” Rogan knew Iker would want to tie up any loose ends. Because it’s exactly how he would be thinking. It’s why he hadn’t brought Dylan with him to this meeting. The other man would explode at the hint of a threat to Tilly.
Iker swallowed, shifting a little in the chair. A surprisingly nervous gesture from the cold and ruthless leader of the Vipers.
“What guarantee do I have she won’t talk?” Iker asked.
/> “She won’t. She wants to forget this ever happened.”
Iker wouldn’t be worried about her talking to the cops. There was little she could give them. But if it got out that he’d been undercut by an idiot like Cabeza he’d soon lose respect. And without the respect of his crew, he had a short lifespan.
“She’s not in this life. She wants nothing to do with any of it.”
“I want her out of the city,” Iker demanded.
“She’ll be leaving within the week.” He needed something from Dylan before they left.