Page 60 of Devil's Claim

“Yeah, I can. That’s what makes me good at what I do.”

“Said no one,” I told him. “And I cannot believe you just suggested I retire.”

“That’s not what I said, asshole. Don’t put words into my mouth. I’m just telling you that you’re a machine and I see that. But I need you. Hell, the fucking entire organization needs you.”

Sighing, I understood what he was saying. Our world had changed over the years. We’d changed. Even the business of running an illegal operation had been forced to alter methods of operation to the point nothing was as it had been when Jago and I were running the streets, soldiers in his father’s army.

“Do you remember the old days?” I asked and walked toward him.

He took a deep breath, chuckling as soon as he exhaled. “We were fucking tyrants. The goddamn morgues were filled that first year.”

“Yeah, and we were happy.” Or so we thought we were. Looking back, in my mind we were just dumb kids trying to make names for ourselves. We were lucky to be still alive.

“Things are different.”

I laughed. “Exactly what I was thinking. Anyway, I’m not going anywhere.”

At least not right now.

“So you know,” I added, “the shit Malcolm told me checks out. His father is the president of the Diamond Club.”

“Which made a tidy little method for Fassi to shift directions, heading into the United States. Cleverly done.” He stood, sauntering toward me.

I nodded and threw back a swallow. The liquor burned on the way down. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for alcohol.

Or maybe I needed to get drunk. The thought amused me.

“Exactly. He’s burning his path to legitimacy.” Meaning he was killing anyone getting in his way and those who could possibly turn on him. Fassi had no loyalty to anyone.

Footsteps drew our attention as Navarro headed toward us from the house.

“Who let the riffraff in?” I threw out.

“Who allows rats into the country?” Navarro challenged as he closed the distance. “Interesting place for a meeting.” His glare toward the pool amused me. From what I knew about the man, he had no other life but work and working out.

Not that I knew him very well. Even after all these years, I’d barely call him anything more than an acquaintance. What I did know about him allowed me to trust him implicitly.

Plus, he was a crazy fuck.

That I admired.

“Miami certainly did have its possibilities. I almost didn’t come back.” I grinned for the hell of it.

Navarro slowly turned his head, his dark shades preventing me from seeing his eyes. “No one would have missed you.”

Jago laughed heartedly. “Business, gentlemen. We fuck off later.”

“What do you want to do with Fassi?” I asked.

“Let him play his hand. He’s undoubtedly aware we’re onto him. He’ll slither from his den soon enough. Navarro. Put additional men on the streets. Keep the security tight around thewarehouses. If we need to head to Morocco, we will. Not that I would like to do that.”

“Because your mind is elsewhere,” Navarro countered then turned his attention in my direction. “So I hear you’re also in the same position.”

“Meaning?” I knew exactly what the hell the man meant. I just didn’t appreciate his tone.

“Meaning the fact you have a guest is widely known. You’re taking a huge risk.”

“A necessary evil.” My nerves were as taut as a live wire. If there was one thing I couldn’t tolerate, it was having my personal life questioned. He knew it too.

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