Page 30 of Illicit

It’s all I can do to keep the smile out of my voice.

“Mack.” The fake name that came out of nowhere and means nothing rolls around his mouth like he wants to bite me in half. “I remember your woman. Sorta remember you.”

“I would hope so. I’m memorable.” Teagan’s head falls back as she contemplates the ceiling. I keep talking. “Told you I’d make it worth your time to tell us where Stella’s grandfather is. I’m following up and ready to make that happen. What do you want?”

The chatter in the background fades as I hear the phone shift. “Gotta say, this is unusual. If you’ve got the cash to pay for information, old man Hayes wouldn’t have been so desperate for money.”

“I wasn’t in the picture then,” I offer even though I have no fucking clue of the timeline that Hayes made a deal with Jules. “But I am now. I want to know where Heath is, and you’re the man with the information.”

The click of a lighter sounds over the phone before he pulls in a sharp breath. “I trust very few people, and I have no fucking clue who you are.”

“You trusted Stella enough to meet with her,” I say without taking my eyes off Teagan. All I can think about is the way Robichaux was targeting her that day in the hotel bar. “You don’t give a shit about Heath. If I’m willing to pay for the information, what do you care?”

“I care a fuck ton about my business,” he bites. “And no offense, asshole, but your woman was an interesting meet. You are not. Now, if Stella is involved, I might be willing to talk.”

“No fucking way,” I snap. “You can deal with me and me alone.”

“Looks like Pawpaw’s location will continue to be a mystery. No skin off my back,” he mutters. “I’ve got real business to take care of. Don’t call me again.”

I’m about to offer a sum of money that I have, but definitely one I’m not willing to part with, when Teagan blurts, “Jules, wait! I’ll meet with you.”

“No,” I growl as I shoot Teagan my what-the-fuck glare and do my best to fix what she just did. “Stella isn’t a part of the deal.”

All of a sudden, Jules sounds interested. “Smart little girl. Now we’re getting somewhere.”

My blood boils as it pumps through my veins. “No fucking way.”

“He’s my grandfather,” Teagan argues. “Please meet with us again. You, Mack, and me. Tell us what you want in exchange for information about my grandfather.”

Before I have the chance to shut this shit down, Robichaux proves he’s willing to negotiate with a beautiful woman. “I’ll text this number when and where. It’ll be on my terms and not in a fucking hotel lobby in the middle of The Quarter with an audience.”

“Great.” I try to keep the irritation out of my tone and wonder how I’ll get this done without Teagan by my side. “We’ll be there.”

Robichaux proves he wants to talk less than I do and ends the conversation with one word. “Later.”

The call goes dead.

Dead.

Which is what we could be if we meet with someone like Robichaux without an operational plan or backup.

I toss the prepaid cell next to the empty pizza box before leaning back on the sofa to stare at the ceiling.

I close my eyes and drag a hand down my face, but don’t say a word.

“Um…” Teagan breaks the silence. “I’m sorry about that.”

I don’t open my eyes. “Don’t lie. You’re not one bit sorry.”

“Okay, you’re right. I’m not.” I lift my head to look at her. She at least has the decency to look guilty. “I had to do something. He was going to hang up and never take your call again. And it’s not like I agreed to meet him by myself in some dark alley. I’m not an idiot. You’ll be with me.”

“I don’t have the energy to argue with you.” I lean back on the sofa and kick my shoes off before propping my feet up on the coffee table. “It’s late, Teag. I barely slept last night and drove you all over the south for most of the day. I’ll get the subpoena going first thing. If Robichaux actually texts me a location, I’ll figure it out, but you won’t be a part of it.”

She doesn’t give up and nudges my leg. “Please don’t do that.”

I sigh and scoot deeper into the cushions. “You know I won’t, but I don’t like any of this.”

She exhales and flops back on the other end of the sofa. “I know I can’t do this without you, but that conversation was proof that he won’t meet with you alone. You need me if you want to get to Jules.”

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