Page 71 of Mischievous Lies

Eli nods as if agreeing. He’d say the same thing if the situation were reversed. If anything, Waylon sounds slightly more diplomatic. “There was a murder in Springfield committed by one of the supplier’s men. The murderer is only a pawn, but as we… dealt with him, it was your name he spoke as the supplier,” Eli says.

The tension in the room shifts.

“You believe him?” Striker asks, his gaze turning deadly. His men straighten up, the closest one playing pool walking over with a cue stick, proud of the knife in his other hand. I try to push away the excitable chills running along my skin, reminding myself I’m not here to kill anyone today.These are our friends.

“If I did, do you think I would have so politely knocked on your door instead of busting it down?”

Striker smirks. “It’s what I like about you, Eli. You get straight to the point. But I have no need to drag my men into it. Sure, let’s say, theoretically, the distributor is in Springfield, but I won’t act until it’s on my turf. No offense, but this has nothing to do with our current business.”

“What if I asked for a favor?” I speak up, and Eli frowns. Ford warily watches me. I don’t often speak over Eli, but I have no intention of going around in circles here when I know that on the other side of this could be a direct answer or name. I need to bring down the assholes who put everything into place to drug Ivy that night. They’re nothing but vermin that need to be exterminated.

I’m not above begging or pleading when it comes to protecting my woman.

Striker’s eyebrow raises as he looks between me and Eli.

“A word, Hawke,” Eli says, calling Ford and me both out for a moment.

“Want to tell me why you’re throwing out favors for information now?” Eli asks, not at all impressed.

I swallow hard as Eli and my brother stare at me. And then I look at my feet, trying to figure out what to do. Lying always feels icky for me. But when it’s Ivy’s secret, it’s different. I can’t stand to know that those fuckers might get away with this again and again.

“It’s personal,” I finally say.

“Be more specific,” Eli growls, and I’m torn between giving my boss the answer he needs to hear and not betraying Ivy’s trust.

“Ivy was drugged and targeted by Jared,” Ford blurts. I whip my head in his direction, but he just looks straight ahead, not meeting my gaze. I want to throttle him for telling her secret, but I realize he’s protecting me from breaking my word to Ivy. Billie most likely told him.

“He did what?” Eli barks, his silvery gaze snapping at me. “Why didn’t you tell me this? She’s one of our own.”

“Not everyone wants their wounds on display,” Ford says on my behalf. I want to punch him as much as I want to hug him. Eli looks at him then and seems to understand.

“Had I known about this earlier, it might’ve changed things.” Eli sighs. “Jewel likes Ivy.”

“Everyone likes Ivy,” I say, pointing out the obvious and realizing I have to come back to the point. “Just please let me talk to Striker.”

“I don’t like you making deals with other devils,” Eli carefully says, glancing back at the bar. “But if you think it’s the most effective way to get answers, I’ll give you five minutes. We don’t mention this again.”

“Agreed,” Ford says, and a wave of relief passes through me, knowing they mean to bury this information with them. I look at my brother with a silent nod of appreciation. Ford has always saved me from saying the wrong thing. This time, he saved me from holding my tongue.

When I walk back into the bar, Striker is waiting. He lights a cigarette and tells his men to stand down. His youngest sister watches me curiously. Perhaps a few months back, I would’ve made it my goal to fuck her before I leave, but I find myself at the mercy of someone I consider a colleague. And I’ll continuethrowing myself on my knees for my woman. If I can burn down the nest of fuckers who did this to her, I will.

“We’re not asking for your help. You don’t have to bring your men into the situation; we can handle it ourselves. I’m just asking for a name if you have it. For whatever reason, that pinprick asshole knew yours. Which means that his higher-ups are also aware of you. I just need a name. A starting point.Please.”

“Begging doesn’t suit you, Hawke,” Waylon says.

“Anything suits me if it protects the people I love,” I reply quickly.

His fingers hover in front of his lips, the cigarette pinched between them. “This is personal for you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” He considers me as his sister leans over and whispers something into his ear. He nods but says nothing. She looks over to the youngest sister, whose arms are crossed over her chest, and she stares from the corner like she’s in detention or something.

“Give me access to your tracker to help me with something, and I’ll see what I can find out,” he states.

“Will Walker won’t do me any favors.”

“Then it looks like you’re shit out of luck,” Waylon says with a fake smile.

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