Page 79 of Declan's Dove

“You sound sure of this decision,” Vincenzo teases. “Has Violet agreed to this? It seems a bit fast for her. She’s usually very calculated in her decision-making.”

“It’s been discussed and decided,” I state firmly. “You can call your men off.”

“Hmm. Very well.”

“Is that all?” Gabe asks. I can tell his patience is wearing thin.

“No. Unfortunately, there’s more.” Vincenzo crosses his ankle over his knee, leaning back in his chair like he owns the fucking place. Gabe’s eyes narrow as he taps his knuckles on the table.

After a moment of silence, Gabe’s arms suddenly shoot out his hand slapping the table in front of him. “What the fuck else, Vincenzo?”

Parisi smirks. “You should be careful, Gabriel. So much stress can’t be good for your heart at this age.”

“Then maybe you should tell me what it is you came here to tell me and leave so I can relieve my stress.” Gabe’s smile is more fuck-around-and-find-out than friendly.

“James Swanson,” Vincenzo says his name on a growl. “He has a date with karma. Perhaps we can all deliver the justice the pig deserves.” He grinds out the word pig, as if it’s too good a word for the man. I don’t disagree.

“What do you know about him?” Mack asks. “What are we walking into if we go after him?”

“He’s a dirty cop, which I’m sure you know. He’s been dirty for years. Has a fetish for young children. It used to be girls, but he’s since crossed the line and ventured into little boys.” Parisi’s eyes cut to mine. “Keep Carter as far away from the human excrement as possible. If he gets his hands on the boy, he will wish he had died in that fire two years ago.”

“The what?” Caleb asks, his attention set on me for answers.

“Violet and Carter escaped the asshole by setting fire to their home and faking their deaths,” I supply. There are several low murmured responses, none of which I pay attention to. “But you’re not here to tell me to keep Carter away. You already know I will. It’s why Violet gave me guardianship, so Carter would have the protection of the club. So, what is it you want us to help you accomplish? What’s the ask?”

A wicked smile curves Vincenzo’s mouth as his eyes light with malice. “I want him dead. But first, we have to verify who he works for. I want to kill Swanson, but not before I have the head of the Leviathan. I need to know who is running this trafficking ring. It’s bigger than a simple cop and some pieced together biker club. No offense.” He waves his hand through the air. “Your club is far more respectable than the Devil’s Order.”

“Hmph,” Gabe snorts. “Who do you think is responsible, and what is it you want us to do to help?”

“What’s in it for us?” Mack adds. “You don’t do shit for free, but neither do we. This has blowback written all over it.”

Parisi stubs his cigarette into a nearby ashtray. He tips his finger at Mack. “I knew you were a smart man. I will continue to protect those I’ve sworn to do so, and I will deliver to you not one, but two traitors to your family. In exchange, I want your help to find the Devil bastards who attacked Emilia and deliver them to me—alive.” He cracks his neck and rolls his shoulders. “Their punishment is mine alone to deliver.”

“Emilia?” Hawk asks. “The doctor? She’s someone to you?”

“Yes.” Vincenzo doesn’t give any more than that on the subject.

“All right. Let me get this straight.” Gabe looks around the room at each one of us. We each nod, subtly, already agreeing to whatever the Pres decides to do. We want the Devil’s gone, and the trafficking ring shut down. And in order for Violet and I to live out our life without having to look over our shoulders all the time, I need the cop eradicated.

“You want us to find the Devils responsible for the doctor lady’s injuries and kill a cop? Then you’ll deliver two traitors to my doorstep?” Gabe narrows his eyes and furrows his brow. “Who is it you think has wronged my club that would be of interest to us?”

Vincenzo sighs, his hands raised in a placating manner. “I can’t tell you where Thomas is, but I can tell you he’s safe.”

“What do you know about his disappearance?” Gabe growls. “I’m sure you know something, since your ass seems to be all up in my club’s business.”

Vincenzo sighs. “I don’t know where your brother is, as I said. Nor do I know how he got off your farm, but I know he’s safe and he will contact me again soon.”

“And how do you know that, exactly?” Gabe asks through gritted teeth. All the guns are on the table. It won’t take much for this to all turn to shit.

Fuck.

“He reached out to let me know he was in hiding and would contact me when he’s finished his job,” Parisi replies.

“What job? For who?” the vein in Gabe’s neck looks like it’s going to pop at any moment.

“For me. Thomas made a deal with me a long time ago. He has yet to fulfill the requirements on his end.”

“And what is it he’s supposed to do for you?” Mack asks. Gabe gives him a disapproving look. He’s overstepping, but Gabe won’t correct him in front of Vincenzo.

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