Leo (Vigilance 3)

“Like Leo’s teammates.”

Cameron smiled. “I haven’t had a chance to really get to know them, but they do seem close. And Angelo trusts them, which says a lot.”

“Does it?”

“I know you’re thinking of him as a criminal, but his sense of justice is more developed then a lot of people who’ve never broken the law. He takes trust and loyalty very seriously.”

The coffee finished brewing, and I poured Cameron a cup. “Cream and sugar?”

I fixed both our coffees and brought them to the counter where we could sit on barstools. Cameron described the various cannoli. “This is a traditional one. This one has cherry cream, and this one has chocolate cream, but there are plenty if you want to try each flavor.”

“I’m so impressed with how perfect they look.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice. They’re our best seller. Maria, who’s worked there since my grandparents ran it, makes them best, but I’ve been helping since I was a toddler.”

I chose a traditional one first. When I bit into it, I groaned. It had just the right amount of crunch and flakiness, and the cream wasn’t overly sweet. “This is pure heaven. I wish I could make something as good as this.”

Cameron smiled. “I’m sure you could if you practiced.”

“Then I will definitely take you up on some lessons once all this”—I waved my hand in the air not knowing how much I could say—“is over.”

“Something else will come along after it, but hopefully you won’t be directly involved. I’ve been there, and it sucks.”

I set my cannoli down and focused on Cameron. “One of Angelo’s enemies came after you?”

“The guy sent men to kill me, but Angelo got to me in time.”

Angelo stepped back into the apartment as Cameron finished speaking. “Damn right I did, and I have no intention of letting anyone threaten you again.”

He sounded a hell of a lot like Leo. He might’ve seemed scary at first, but the way he looked at Cameron told me how in love he was.

If these two could have what they did, then…

Maybe when Swain was dead, I really would tell Leo how I felt.

24

Leo

The cocktail hour that preceded the fundraiser was well underway, and Swain still hadn’t shown. I was beginning to wonder what game he was playing. Had he only said he was coming to create a diversion? I’d checked in with several of the men we had stationed at our homes and the tattoo shop, warning them to stay alert.

So far, there hadn’t been any signs of trouble. Most of them weren’t aware of the extent of Swain’s crimes, but it was simple enough to say a representative from the other party might be there to cause trouble.

Finally, about ten minutes later, a member of our team radioed to say Swain was approaching the door. I kept my head down and stayed in the shadows as he walked into the ballroom.

I used my comm to give X and Niall a heads-up. “Target is approaching, X.”

“Roger that,” X said. I heard him clear his throat before saying, “Congressman Swain, I see you were serious about wanting to reach across the aisle to involve yourself in some humanitarian efforts.”

X’s cultured voice was so different from the one he used when barking orders at our team. There was plenty of venom there, though. It was just more subtle.

“I was hoping we might have a word in private.”

I braced myself, ready to move in if necessary. Niall was near the opposite doorway, positioned to intercept them if need be.

“I can’t abandon my guests, but I’m sure we could find a quiet corner of the room.”

“What I have to say needs to be absolutely confidential.”

“Are you hoping to propose some joint legislation? It would really be better to discuss that with my sister. She’ll be here before the auction begins.”

“No.” I heard the impatience in Swain’s voice. “This is about business I have with you.”

I was certain then that he knew about X’s vigilante work.

X flashed him a charming smile. “It really would be best if you talked with my sister. I’m afraid I stick to charitable events and my dusty old books, as she puts it.”

“I assure you this business will interest you.”

X gestured to a tall table in an uncrowded area. “Let’s talk here, then.”

I could barely keep them in sight as people passed back and forth between us. At least Niall was closer.

“This is as private as we’re going to get,” X said, his voice sterner than it had been. He might pretend to be a bit of an airhead, but only a fool would mistake him for a pushover.

“I know who you are, and it’s time we made a deal.”

“Of course you know who I am. You’re a congressman, and my sister is a senator. Our family was well known even before she was elected.”