Page 8 of Bittersweet Endings
Matteo sighed as he pushed to his feet. “Nothing concrete. Got some leads to follow up on.”
“JP thinks we’re back for him. Let’s lie low and make him think shit’s normal.”
“Got it. I’ll be in touch.” Matteo turned to leave, just as Diego was headed in this direction.
“Boss.” Diego dropped a folder on my desk and sat down. “Last images were of him crossing into Canada.”
I flipped to the first page and pulled out the pictures. My lip twitched as the scent of blood filled my nostrils. Image after image of Peiro.
“He used his legal name to cross into Canada. Then two hours later, crossed back with a different car and identity.”
I shook my head.
“We lost track of him after about 115 miles down I-87. But one would assume…” Diego cracked his knuckles.
“I-87? That far? That’s halfway to…”
He nodded.
“He’s coming back for her.”
“Should I contact AJ to?—”
My phone ringing interrupted him as the man in question called. “Boss, we got made.” AJ sounded winded on the other end of the line. “She let me go.”
Shaking my head, I sighed. “Diego got word the little fuck is probably headed to you. Stay close to her.” There was a long pause. “Is there a problem?”
“Uh, no. No, boss.”
“Just fuckin’ stay close, AJ.”
“Got it.” The line went dead, and I dropped my phone onto my desk.
“She’s got fuckin’ moves. And that body—” Diego paused, his focus locked on Kitty center stage.
“Since when do you mess with the dancers?”
He shook his head, almost lost in a trance before turning back to me. “I’m not. Just commenting.” He shrugged, turning to watch again as I stepped up next to him.
“Commenting.” I waited. “It’s been a minute since I’ve had a good fuck. Maybe I’ll?—”
He grabbed my arm. “I think we need to handle JP. We’re…” He paused as I laughed. “What?”
I backed away from the window with my hands raised in surrender. “I’m not going to fuck her. But nice to know she’s off-limits.”
“Fuck you.” Diego leaned over the desk and gathered up the folders.
“What you got on JP?” I asked, switching topics.
We couldn’t get close to him. The bastard hadn’t run from death this long without knowing when someone was coming for him. I finally got the truth and JP knew it. He’d sent the coast into chaos, but that was just a show. This had been the way my whole damn life. Soon as I was old enough to stand on my own, he made it his mission to screw with me. Watching me struggle and bleed had entertained him. It was never parenting; it was a goddamn power trip.
My phone lit up with the name of someone in my pocket from the local PD. JP thought the guy was on his payroll, but he wasn’t. He’d fed JP lies and gave me the inside scoop.
“Your father’s gone off the deep end, Carmine,” he said, and I scoffed into the phone. “I’m serious.” Gunfire echoed in the background.
“Then you better figure out a way to hold 'em under.”
“You don’t get it. This shit he’s doing... It’s all over the goddamn news. Live TV. Carmine, you can’t expect me to just sweep it under the fuckin’ rug.”
