Laughter spills from my lips. “You clearly don’t know my mother at all, because I had nothing to do with that.”
“You should be thanking Lo,” Saint says. “She’s the one who stopped Giana from pulling the trigger.”
Sinner scoffs. “Giana would never have pulled the trigger. She loves me.”
I don’t correct him, because that will only cause an argument. I want this conversation over so we can get out of here before his son pulls the trigger. Saint promised he would cage his rage, but his pain is raw, and coming here today was risky. However, we knew Sinner would only come to us, and it’s better to be in control and prepared. I’m also hoping to manipulate him a little so he doesn’t go searching for Mom.
“If you love her as you say you do, you should give her some space. She’ll come back to you when she’s ready,” I lie.
Sinner’s eyes narrow suspiciously. “Why would you want that?”
“I never said I wanted it. She’s my mom, and I want her to be with someone who respects her. Not someone who hands her to his perverted friends to rape.” I shrug my shoulders, granting him another sugary-sweet smile. “But she’s an adult. She makes her own decisions. And for some unknown reason, you’re what she wants.”
An arrogant smile spreads across his mouth. I’m not surprised he’s fallen for the bullshit because he really does believe his own press.
“You said you had an update in relation to the commissioner,” Saint says, gripping the armrests hard. “Let’s hear it.”
“Always so impatient.” Sinner tut-tuts, reaching into the top drawer of his desk, removing a pair of plastic gloves. He puts them on before extracting a small brown envelope from the same drawer, passing it across the desk to me. “The instructions are in there. The commissioner is opening a new wing at the Lowell Public Library on Saturday afternoon. A friend owns a private apartment building directly across from the library, and the rooftop garden is the perfect vantage point. You can take him out and then escape through the rear access gate which is only for employees. I’ve included the codes to his security system so Theo can disable it.”
I tuck the envelope in the back pocket of my jeans, nodding.
“Go to the warehouse and take whatever weapon and artillery you need,” he adds, directing that statement at his son.
“Lo has her own equipment,” Saint confirms.
“I bet she does.” Sinner taps his fingers off his chin, staring at me. “Don’t fuck this up. And don’t even think about double-crossing me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I lie.
“Lo is done with initiation when she kills him,” Saint reminds him, gripping the armrests tighter.
“That’s already agreed,” he says, as if his word can be trusted. We all know he can change his mind in an instant.
“What’s happening with The Arrows?” Saint asks.
“The shipment is due in tonight. We have a crew lined up to tail them. Then we hit the warehouse Friday night. I expect all of you to be there.”
“We’ll be there,” Saint says, standing and pulling me to my feet.
“Tell your mother she can’t hide from me forever.” Sinner scrubs his prickly jawline. “I’ll give her some space, but if she takes too long, I’m coming for her. There is no place she can hide that I won’t find her.”
A nasty shiver crawls up my spine, and I don’t even dignify that with a response.
Saint has his hand on the door handle when Sinner calls out one final time. “Son?”
Saint grits his teeth before hurriedly composing himself. He turns around, feigning disinterest.
“Let’s make Saturday a family affair.” He grins manically. “Take Bryant with you.”
CHAPTER 38
“HOW THE FUCK does he know about me?” Bry rubs a hand down his face while pacing the floor in front of the fireplace. We updated Theo, Caz, and Galen, when they arrived home after school, while we were waiting for Bryant to show up. It’s his first time at the barn, but we’re low on places to meet. Besides, everything is out on the table now, and he shares a bloodline with Saint, so the trust issue is pretty much a non-issue at this point.
“Sinner has informants everywhere.” Theo crosses his feet at the ankles.
“Then how come he hasn’t found the Leydon evidence that was stolen from him?” Bry asks.
“Maybe he’s perpetuating that lie because it suits him. Maybe he already has it back in his possession,” I suggest as the thought occurs to me.
“And you killing the commissioner ends the threat once and for all,” Saint adds, dragging his hands through his hair. “Fuck, you could be on to something.”
I place my hand on his thigh, squeezing in understanding.
Trying to figure out who is playing who and why is starting to give me a permanent headache too.
“Does he know about Howie?” Bry inquires. Concern stretches across his face.
“That’s probably how he made the connection,” Saint surmises.
“Howie is pissed you wouldn’t let him come with me.” Bry props his butt against the arm of the couch.
“I don’t fucking care,” Saint snaps, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“He knows he fucked up, but he’s genuinely sorry.”
“He left me with that monster,” Saint snarls. “It’s not something I’ll forgive overnight, if ever.”
Bry gulps. “Fair enough.” He wets his lips, clearing his throat. “But I hope you and I can start over. Wipe the slate clean.”
Caz walks between the couches, setting a plate loaded with sandwiches and wraps down on the coffee table as he chuckles. “Aw, does Unky Bryant want a play date with his cute little nephew?”
Saint leaps from the couch, tackling Caz to the ground. Bry looks on in amusement as they roll around, throwing a few punches and jabs. Grabbing a chicken wrap, I munch on it while I watch the big kids play-wrestle on the ground. “Will you tell Howie that Sinner knows?” I ask when Caz and Saint quit messing around, climbing to their feet with matching grins.
“I should, so he’s in the loop, but he’s a bit of a loose cannon right now. He’s completely obsessed with taking Sinner down, in a way that’s not healthy, and I’m becoming more and more concerned. He’ll go crazy if I tell him, and I don’t trust he won’t do something reckless.” Bry reaches into his inside pocket, handing me an envelope. “I almost forgot. That’s the McKenzie recording. Howie said there are no other copies and he’s wiped all trace of it from his computer.”
I hand the envelope to Theo, and he immediately tosses it in the fire.
Saint flops down on the couch beside me, snatching a wrap and biting into it, swallowing half of it in one go.
Bry coughs, reclaiming my attention. He’s holding a silver-plated tin box in his hand, looking a little apprehensive. “I have something else I thought might come in handy.” He hands it to me, and I place it on my lap before opening it.
“What is this?” Galen inquires, peering at the two guns inside. They are sealed in a plastic bag on top of a dried blood-soaked rag.