Page 28 of Dutch

She rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.

My phone buzzed while she was standing there, and I waved at her, hoping she'd walk off, but Makari's nosy ass stood there listening.

"Talk," I instructed, peeping Saint's name across the screen. It couldn't be good news with him calling this early.

"We have a situation. Trigger intercepted some chatter from Jahlil's crew. Seems the ledger thing has popped back up, and it seems someone close to us is leaking information." Saint's voice was loud despite my ear covering the speaker.

I glanced Makari's way, hoping she was out of earshot before I responded. "You sure? Who's on our radar?”

"I don't know, but it's solid intel. They specifically mentioned it had to be someone on the inside."

I ran a hand down my face in frustration. "Keep digging. We need names like yesterday."

"There's talk of a late-night meet on their end, Easton District," Saint disclosed.

I chose my words carefully, knowing Makari was standing there. "Regarding that family heirloom, did you get a timestamp on that digital footprint? If not, we need to bring in an outside source. Feel me?"

It took a second for Saint to decode my words. "You thinking about reaching out to our brothers in blue?"

"It crossed my mind as long as they aren't trying to add to the collection, but I'm on my way," I relayed, ending the call. Thinking about the traitor amongst us and Jahlil making underhanded moves, all we needed was a match thrown on the fire.

I turned to Makari, but the look on her face stopped me cold.Shit.She'd heard something.

"What the hell were you saying about Malakai?"

My eyebrows shot up. "I didn't say anything about Malakai. You never heard me mention him."

"Don't bullshit me. Did you forget I could decipher you were speaking in code?"

I swallowed hard.Fuck,she was too damn much for me, and I wondered how much I could share without putting her in further danger.

"Thereareso many moving pieces right now. I can't?—"

"What? You can't tell me if my dead brother might be alive? Jesus, do you know what this means to me?" she asked.

"Got damn Inspector Gadget. How the hell did you get all that from what I said?"

"You're not funny."

I reached out for Makari,but she jerked away. "I don't,which is why I'm trying to figure shit out without giving unnecessary heartache. I'll explain, but not now?—"

"No, I want to know what the fuck is going on. No more of your cryptic lies, no lies. I deserve to know!"

I blew out air. "Okay, but not here. We'll talk later when I pick you up. I promise."

Makari's eyes clouded. "You better not be fucking with me. No, games, I'm expecting the truth."

I nodded, knowing she was pissed. "I got you,babe. I promise."

Makari held my glare a moment longer. I understood her pain, kind of, because I hadn't lost a loved one. Still, I wasn't sure I'd trust me either if I was in her position.

"Fine." Her voice was sharp. "I swear if you try to dodge me, we're over for good."

I flinched at her words. "I hear you loud and clear."

Makari turned on her heels and strode into her store. Despite the anger, she moved confidently inside and looked at me again before closing the door. Once she was safely inside, I gripped the handlebars and kicked the engine to life.

I pulled away, wondering how I was going to tell her about the video. I couldn't keep her in the dark any longer. She was too damn smart for that.

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