Reckoning (Wolfes of Manhattan 5)

“I can’t. I can’t do this. Look what it’s already cost my sister!”

“Wait, wait, wait… You think Leta was beaten up because you’re talking to me?”

“Of course I do! And because she talked to you. We had a whole plan. We did. We thought every detail out. We…” She crumpled back into her chair and laid her head on the table, tears falling slowly onto the covering.

I wasn’t an unfeeling person. Not at my core. But this? I had no sympathy for her. I didn’t wish pain on Nieves or her sister, but they’d fucked with dangerous people, and this was the result.

“Nieves,” I said, “there’s only one way out of this mess.”

She lifted her head far enough to meet my gaze. “What’s that?”

“You need to level with me.”

I replayed my previous conversation with Nieves in my mind as she stalled again, saying nothing.

Finally, “I can’t tell you over the phone. It’s too risky.”

She’d already taken the risk, and her sister had paid. Her sister might pay again, or Nieves herself. Still, I needed all the information. An innocent woman had been arrested, and the rest of us were still under investigation. I needed the truth from her, and I needed it now.

“That ship has sailed, Nieves. Whoever is behind this already knows you and Leta are talking.”

“Then I want…a bodyguard. For Leta too. Twenty-four-hour security.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” This case was already costing us an arm and a leg. It was only money.

“Get it set up, and then I’ll talk.”

“Fine,” I said again. “I’ll get in touch when it’s set.”

After I ended the call, I automatically called Terrence. Total autopilot. Except I no longer trusted Terrence. He’d altered his calendar the day someone—presumably my father—made a phone call from my office to Rock’s landline in Montana.

“This is Terrence,” he said.

“Hey there, sorry for the intrusion. I must have butt-dialed you.”

“No problem. I hear you got married. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. See you at the office tomorrow.”

“You got it. Bye.”

Shit. Major faux pas. Terrence was out of the loop as of now. He clearly couldn’t be trusted. My father most likely handed him a load of cash to keep him quiet about the phone call made from my office. Bummer, since Terrence had connections everywhere. He got things done quickly and efficiently.

Which was a major red flag I should have picked up on much sooner.

I needed an assistant on the inside. Charlie, Roy’s wife. I called her quickly.

“Hello, this is Charlie.”

“Hey, Charlie, it’s Reid. I’m sorry to call you so late, but I have an assignment and I don’t want to give it to Terrence for obvious reasons.”

“Got it. What do you need?”

“I need bodyguards and round-the-clock security for Nieves and Leta Romero. Leta’s in a hospital in Helena, and Nieves is staying somewhere close. I’ll text you Nieves’s number.”

“Sounds good. Do you have a company you prefer?”

“Whoever answers their phone at this hour is fine with me. Get me the details as soon as you can. Nieves is finally going to spill her guts.”

“Will do.”

“Thanks, Charlie. I know this isn’t your job.”

“It is my job. I’m Lacey’s assistant. It’s no problem.”

“You’re a gem.”

“Hey,” she said, “how are you and Zee?”

“Well, it’s my wedding night, and I’m talking to my sister-in-law on the phone. Make of that what you want.”

“Oh… Yeah, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s on paper only. Zee’s fine. She’s resting. The interrogation with Morgan took a lot out of her. God, that man’s a prick.”

“Give her my best,” Charlie said. “I’ll call you once everything is set.”

“Thanks. Goodnight.” I shoved my phone into my pocket.

I got up and walked out of my office to my spacious kitchen. Deirdre was plating our dinners.

“Good evening, Mr. Wolfe,” she said. “I was just about to let you know everything’s ready.”

“I’ll take it to Zee in the bedroom. Thanks, Deirdre. It smells great.”

Actually, it didn’t. The words were more autopilot, like my call to Terrence. The food was beautifully prepared and smelled like steak and salmon, but the usually appetizing fragrance nauseated me instead. I grabbed the tray carrying the plates, utensils, and the champagne.

“You want to use the trolley?” Deirdre asked.

“No, I’ve got it.” The tray was bulky but not heavy as I walked out of the kitchen and through the hallway to my bedroom.

My bedroom that was no longer mine. It was mine and Zee’s.

The thought sparked happiness in me, but I tamped it down. She wasn’t happy at all, and if she wasn’t, I couldn’t be. She meant too much to me.

I knocked on the door as best I could without dropping the tray.

“Yeah?” Zee called.

“Let me in. It’s me.”

The door opened.

She’d changed into sweatpants and a tank top, no bra. Her newly blond hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was fresh and devoid of makeup.

She looked gorgeous. I sucked in a breath.