Page 71 of Lane

Jack sighed and took a seat on the couch opposite us. “If I’d done this in Jordan’s building, I would have been shot.”

Lane nodded. “And killed, but we’re not talking about that. Let’s get right to it. Tell me how you know my godfather, Ulrich?”

If I hadn’t been watching Jack, I would have missed the slight way his eyes narrowed before he steeled his face. “I’m not sure who you’re referring to.”

“Really? You’ve got a good poker face. Before the first time we met you knew damn well who I was, but I didn’t have a clue. There were no tells. Lots of skill is needed for that. You know what else skill is needed for? Research. It seems you and Ulrich have traded money before. And wouldn’t you know, Ulrich is thereason there was a barrage of gunfire at my lover’s home. We won’t discuss all you’ve taken from him because if I bring it up, I won’t have to worry about furthering this conversation. He’ll shoot you in the head without a second thought.”

Jack glanced up, his eyes meeting mine. He wasn’t a fool. Word had spread fast about what had happened at my parents’ house. “I had nothing to do with that.”

“Not directly, but someone has been feeding information to my waste of a godfather,” Lane stated. “You know what? Let’s not call him that. Let’s refer to him as my fake family. That’s really what he is. Kind of like a fake smile. Looks good on the outside, full of hatred on the inside. Are you going to own up to any of this, or do I need to threaten you?”

“I won’t let you threaten me.”

“Really? I think you will.” Lane stood and walked around the coffee table in the middle of the floor until he stood in front of Jack. I was right at Lane’s side, ready to intervene. Lane sat on the table. “Where is he? If you tell me, I’ll leave you alone. After all, you didn’t pull the trigger, did you?”

“No, absolutely not. I knew what would happen if I did.”

“Then it’s lucky it’s only me here today and not Jordan. Although, it’s a toss-up who’s more dangerous. I have not one but two of the sons of the man who was murdered with me. Revenge is a hell of a motivator. They’d love to skin whoever took away their family.”

His gaze flicked to me and then to my brother. “I’m sorry for your loss. I truly didn’t have anything to do with it. I’d heard about it, but it wasn’t me.”

I saw Reghan take a step forward, but Barrett placed a hand on his chest to stop him.

“Do you know who I am?” Barrett asked, putting himself in front of my brother.

“You’re the cop who left the force to work for the mafia.”

“Right, so you’re aware I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve. Not only do I know where to hide a body so it will never be found, but I know how the minds of cops work. You like your house here; all cozy with whatever you could possibly want. It would be a shame if you were repeatedly raided by the police. How would that look for you? You’re not a big name like Jordan. He can get away with the cops serving him a search warrant. Any business you’re doing would be vulnerable. Who’d want to work with you when you can’t keep the cops out of your home? Oh, what they would find in here.”

“I’m not sure what you think I have.”

“I’m not talking about the guns, which we know you purchased last week from Ethan, one of Jordan’s buyers. He was doing that deal for you. How badly you must have wanted those weapons.”

“Don’t worry,” Lane added. “We’re dealing with him too. Where do you think Jordan is right now?” It was a lie. We were headed to Ethan’s next. There was already someone on his home so he couldn’t escape. Lane had a few fingers to sever at a minimum and money to collect. Ethan wouldn’t be doing illegal business in the city any longer.

“Take this painting for example,” Barrett continued, as if Lane hadn’t spoken. “It appears to be the English countryside. At first glance it looks like a hell of a knockoff, but I searched quick and found it’s stolen art. Not that you stole it. You’re not that smart, but all the cops care about is where it’s found. Here. With you. I’m sure it’s one of many items they’d locate where they don’t belong.”

“What do you want from me?” Jack exploded, jumping from his seat.

I stepped forward with a growl, ready to put him through the wall. Lane touching my hand pulled me back from the brink.

“Where is my fake family?” Lane asked and stood as well. “It’s one question. Answer it.”

“I don’t know.”

Faster than I could track, Lane pulled his gun and shot Jack in the knee. He crumbled to the floor, crying out in pain. No guards came rushing to his aid. Oleander had already seen to the couple who were in the house. While we were in this room, our friend was handling things for us. If I had to guess, they’d be zip-tied and gagged in a room nearby, along with the butler and whoever else was in the home.

“You asshole!” Jack yelled.

“This is what happens when you play the real game, Jack. You get shot and I have fun. You think Ulrich is a threat? I’m an Everhart with an Altair organization at my back. You can’t best me, motherfucker. I haven’t survived this long without learning a thing or two.” He lifted his gun again, finger on the trigger, this time pointing at Jack’s thigh. “If I hit you just right, you’ll bleed to death. That would be fun to watch. The room really could use the infusion of crimson. It would be a nice accent color.”

“You’re fucking insane!” Jack shouted.

“Nah, just had a traumatic upbringing, which continued into adulthood. Good times for all involved. Tell me where he is.”

“I don’t know!”

Lane shot him in the thigh. There was more screaming from Jack.

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