Series: Chicago Sin Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
The landlord believes it. He believes it so bad, his face turns white, and his goddamn teeth start chattering. And Leo, with impeccable timing, picks that moment to show up, his bulky mass adding to the threat.
“Now get out of our faces.”
The landlord bolts.
Marco and Leo wait until he’s gone before they push into my apartment. Marco’s in his white undershirt and a pair of slacks, like he yanked them on when it happened. Leo looks like he took more time to get dressed. “Definitely the Hermanos,” Marco says. “I saw the fuckers running to a car on the street. They wore ski masks and carried semis. I heard a cop say they shot out the cameras out front and the glass door. Then they just rode the fucking elevator up here and shot up your place. Did you tell Don G?”
“Not yet.” I side-eye Leo because while he’s also like a brother to me, the fewer people who know my shit, the better.
He produces a gun from his back waistband and ammo from his pocket. “I know you’re not allowed to keep a gun but seems like you’d be safer with a piece on you at all times right now.”
Maybe my soul hasn’t completely shriveled because a thread of gratitude twirls through me. My family takes care of me. Through thick and thin.
I take the pistol and tuck it in the back waistband of my pants. “Yeah, thanks.”
“I’m worried about your ma,” Marco says. “If they didn’t find you here, you think they’d look at her place for you?”
I scrub a hand across my face. “I had the same thought. I’ll see if I can send her on a vacay.”
I stalk to the bedroom to look for my cash under the bathroom sink. It’s all still there. But I’m not surprised. This wasn’t a robbery.
They were out for blood, for sure. And after making as much noise as they did, they had to get the fuck out fast. Frankly, I’m surprised they risked it in an apartment building like this one.
I pull a duffle bag out of the closet and start throwing my clothes and shoes and toiletries in it. Hannah’s apartment is still the safest place for me. My instinct to stay there was dead on. But Marco’s right, my mom could be in danger. And that thought does make me feel. I’d do anything for my mom. Growing up, it was just the two of us, and I’d kill or die for her in a second.
“I’ll get my crew over here to clean shit up tomorrow,” Marco offers.
“Thanks.”
“What else can I do?”
“Nothing. I already owe you. I don’t like being so out of balance with you, man.” I give him one of those dude handshake hugs and thump him on the back.
He pulls back and meets my gaze. He’s got light green eyes the color of cash. Total lady killer. “You’d do it for me.” His expression is dead serious like he’s swearing a vow.
I realize then that he’s not just taking care of family. And it’s not just pity. He feels guilty I got caught. I took the fall, and he didn’t. Leo didn’t. The rest of our crew that ran the car heist operation didn’t. I just had the shit luck of getting pinched. And it goes without saying, I kept my mouth glued shut.
I want to say something to let him off the hook. Because it’s the same story—he would’ve done the same thing in my shoes. Maybe he’s eaten up because of how far I fell. I was at the top of my game then. I thought I was in love. Engaged to a beautiful woman. Making money hand over fist. I’d gained recognition and respect within the organization. I led my own crew—Marco and Leo worked for me. I was poised to become a leader and move up through the ranks as the older generation retired.
And then my fence got pinched, and I showed up at his garage driving a brand-new, stolen Mercedes Benz at the wrong time. I got out and ran, but they cornered me, and it was done. All I could do was ride it out. Serve my sentence and restart.
Since words are no longer my thing, I choke on any sentiment and settle for a fist bump. I bump Leo, too. “You still have a key to my place, right?”
“Yeah, we got it. You wanna stay at my place tonight?” Marco asks.
“Nah. I got a place.” I pick up my duffel bag and head for the door.
Marco gives me a searching look but doesn’t ask where I’m sleeping. In our line of business, the less you know, the safer you are. I know Marco and Leo would never roll over on me, but I wouldn’t want them to be in the position of keeping secrets for me. They already keep enough.