The chief shakes his head. “He’s already delivered known contacts, the routes they used for smuggling, and a shipment of women that was en route.”
My mouth drops open. “Wow.”
“Yes. Wow,” Chief agrees. “We’ve hit the jackpot with Dobroshi. The hearing starts on March twenty-fourth. I want you all going over every single piece of evidence with a fine-tooth comb.”
Chief runs through a couple of details with us, and when the meeting’s over, I follow O’Brien out of the office to the kitchen. My eyes keep darting to his face while he fixes us each a cup of coffee. Handing me a cup, he mutters, “You’re staring, JJ.”
We head out the side door so O’Brien can smoke, and when I’m sure we’re alone, I ask, “How do you feel about Dobroshi turning state’s evidence?”
With his eyes on me, he takes a sip of his coffee, then says, “I think it’s the best thing for his wife and kids. This way, he gets out of that life. They’ll be safe.”
I let out a relieved breath, and when I notice he’s not going to smoke, I ask, “You quitting cigarettes?”
He nods, then a sexy smirk forms on his face. “Yeah, I have a new addiction.”
Instantly, I smile. “What?”
Heat flashes in his eyes, making me hot under the collar. “You know what.”
I pull a disgruntled face. “Really want to kiss you right now.”
He shakes his head. “Not at work.” A playful smile tugs at his mouth. “But once we get home, it’s a whole different story.”
Home.
“We’re going to be busy this week,” I mention. “Thanks for arranging a moving company to pack everything.”
Taking out his phone, he checks the time. “Lindsay will be okay handling everything, right?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll always worry,” he mumbles before drinking the last of his coffee. “Come, Jefferson. Time to get to work.”
“Yes, sir.”
O’Brien
I smile as I reach a hand out to Warden Geary. “It’s been a while. How’s Bethany and the twins?”
“They’re good. The twins are almost taller than me,” he grins. “What brings you by?”
When we’re both seated, I get right to the point, “Can you tell me who controls the pipeline for getting cigarettes and weed into the prison?”
“Why?” Warden Geary’s lips curve up.
“I need a favor. It’s personal.”
“Is this about what happened to your partner?” he gets right to the point.
“Agent Jefferson is now my fiancée.”
The warden’s eyebrows lift, then he nods. “Burt Stern is in charge of the pipeline. He’s neo-Nazi.”
Perfect.
“Can I meet with him? In private.”
The warden makes the call for Stern to be brought to me, then asks, “Should I prepare myself for a mountain of paperwork.”
“I’ll owe you a favor.”
He lets out a chuckle then stands up. “By the way, congratulations on your engagement, Daniel.”
“Thank you.” I get up and watch as he leaves the office. I wait close to ten minutes before Stern is brought in, cuffs in place around his ankles and wrists. He looks at the guard as the door is shut, leaving him alone with me, then he turns his attention to me and waits.
“I hear you’re in control of the pipeline in and out of the prison.”
He shrugs.
“You’ll receive a new cellmate. I want you to make him your bitch.”
Stern doesn’t look affected by my request. “That’s it?”
“When he stops screaming, silence him for good.”
He nods. “What’s in it for me?”
“Your pipeline remains open.” I walk to the door, but before I open it, I say, “By the way, he’s Albanian. Highly trained.”
Stern nods. “It will be fun.”
I open the door, and stepping out, I wait for the guards to bring Stern out before looking at Warden Geary. “Move Zef Rama to Stern’s cell.”
“Okay.” I can see in his eyes he knows what I’m up to, but I trust him.
“Can I meet with Rama?”
I’m taken to an interrogation room and wait another ten minutes before Rama’s brought in and forced to sit before he’s cuffed to the chair.
A sadistic smile curves on my face. “Damn, you look like shit in orange.” His eyes are dead on me as I take a seat. “Oh, rude of me.” I hold my hand out. “Agent Daniel O’Brien.” Pulling back my hand, I say, “Shit, forgot you’re in cuffs.”
“What do you want, you fucking scum,” he growls in Albanian.
Switching languages, the smile drops from my face. “You’re going to scream, Rama. You’re going to feel what she felt, and then some.” Climbing to my feet, I adjust my jacket. “Heads up, the second you stop screaming, you die.”
“Fuck you,” he spits out, rage burning in his eyes. “Fuck you!” He yanks at the cuffs, straining to get free.
I let out a dark chuckle, satisfaction coursing through my veins. “You’re the one who’s fucked. Literally. Let’s see how you like being raped. I hope every fucking inch tears your ass apart.”
With Rama shouting enraged curses, I walk out of the room and nod at the warden. “Thank you.”
“Bethany and I better get an invitation to the wedding,” he calls after me.
“Deal,” I chuckle, then head toward the exit knowing Rama is in for a world of degradation and pain before he’s killed.
JJ will not have to face him on the stand, and she’ll have the closure she needs.
After I’m done placing the plates in the dishwasher, I shut it and head up the stairs. I glance at my parents’ bedroom, knowing I’ll have to clear it out at some point.
I continue down the hall to the guest room, and leaning my shoulder against the doorjamb, I cross my arms and watch as the women unpack pile after fucking pile of clothes.
“You sure you have enough to wear, Lindsay?” I ask, shaking my head.
Her head snaps up. “Why? Are you offering to buy?”
Letting out a chuckle, I say, “This room will only be temporary. As soon as I’ve cleared out the main room, you can move in there. The closet is bigger.”
Walking over to me, she gives me a hug. “Have I told you you’re the best big brother a girl could ask for?”
“I’m the only big brother you have.”
She grins up at me as I rub my hand over her back. “Still the best.” She gets back to work, and I signal with a nod for JJ to follow me.
Heading up the stairs to our room, I wait for her to catch up, then say, “You can change anything in here.”
She shrugs. “It’s fine the way it is.”
Taking hold of her hand, I brush my thumb over the ring. “Can I ask a favor?”
Her eyes lock on mine. “Anything.”
“Will you help me pack up my parents’ belongings?”
With all the love in the world shining from her eyes, she nods. “Of course.”