Page 140 of Rock Chick Rescue

“I can take care of this for you,” another man said.

There was no answer.

“Give the word, Ed. I’ll take care of Fratelli.”

My breath stuck.

“Darius, you’re not going to whack Vince Fratelli for my girlfriend.”

Eek!

Eddie called me his girlfriend!

“No, I’ll have Fratelli whacked because he’s an asshole. I’ll be happy to give the order. I’ll be beside myself with fucking glee.”

Oh…dear…Lord.

I knew what “whacked” meant. I watched TV (or I used to).

It meant “killed.”

There was another pause and I could feel the negative waves pounding against the door.

“You forget,mi hermano,” Eddie said softly, an edge of warning in his voice, “I’m a cop.”

Silence and more negative waves.

Darius finally spoke. “The offer’s on the table.”

“That’s where it’s gonna stay,” Eddie replied.

More silence while I imagined Darius shrugging.

“Don’t tell Smithie any of this shit. He’s told you he’s ready to call in his marker for Jet. I don’t want him to take that offer you just gave me,” Eddie ordered.

You could have blown me over with a feather.

Darius was the “brother” that owed Smithie a favor.

How smallwasDenver? And if it was that small, why couldn’t I find my dad?

Then Eddie asked the same question.

“Any hint of McAlister?”

“The guy’s slippery. I know he was at a table the other night. Did well. Not well enough to pay off Marcus, but he paid him all the same. I’m guessin’ with whatever he stole from King.”

King?

Who the heck was King?

He had to be the guy who shot at me.

“What’d he get from King?” Eddie inquired.

“The cops don’t know?” Darius sounded surprised.

“He’s shut tight. Not sayin’ anything. Asked for an attorney immediately.”

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