“THE SECURITY?” VINCENT questioned. “You’re concerned for this woman’s safety.” He eyed me up and down. “Surely the Lennox Demetri I remember can handle the situation?”
“I’d like nothing better.”
“As I said,” Oren interjected, “I’m the one who called. I’m the one who asked for help. The girl was employed by a company under the Demetri umbrella. If the connection were to be made public, it could affect Demetri Enterprises.” My father tilted his head toward me. “Lennox is capable. It’s the repercussions I’m trying to avoid.”
“This woman?” Luca asked. “Is she special?”
“As a friend, nothing more,” I answered truthfully.
“You see, not worth jeopardizing our good name or that of our company.”
Vincent pressed his lips together and sat back, eyeing Oren and me back and forth. “What company?”
I wasn’t sure where my father was going with this, but I hated the damn company. I was more than willing to have it implode. Fuck, I’d light the match and warm my hands over the blaze. I just didn’t want Chelsea, Patrick, or Cy to be left in the ashes. “Infidelity. I was the one who got Demetri involved. I even played a part in getting this woman the job. I should have called you for help, not Oren. It’s my doing that got us here. Thank you for your assistance.”
Though Vincent seemed to be mulling over my answer, Luca nodded. “Infidelity, the website? Was she one of their models?”
“Not exactly,” Oren replied, his eyes narrowing my direction.
“Yet,” Vincent asked, “her safety is important enough for you to bring her here, to ask for my men to help keep her secure? I’m sensing more.”
Before I could speak, my father leaned forward. “I made a promise. I keep my promises. I pay my debts and my share. Just as I have in the past.”
“My father may have asked,” I interjected, “but only because he could. Vincent, we haven’t spoken in too long. I’ve neglected my family, you, and Luca. And even so, here you are. Your men are outside my doors. My father asked and you came. Thank you. It’s time for me to take responsibility for myself and recognize the ways you’ve helped me.”
My gaze met Luca’s. There were too many unspoken acknowledgments.
“No, Lennox,” Oren protested, “I called.”
I turned back to Vincent. “May I?”
“Call?” Vincent asked. “Of course! You’re family. Angelina’s boy. Her pride and joy. We’re here for you as it should be—as you are for us.”
“No—”
Vincent’s hand rose. “Oren, let the man talk. It appears that finally he has become one.”
I couldn’t look at Oren. I knew this wasn’t what he wanted, but at the same time, he’d broken free of the Costellos. They were my blood, my family. I couldn’t let Charli’s family be the reason he was dragged back. No matter what history he had with Charli’s mother, Charli was my responsibility.
“You’re dating?” Luca asked.
“I am.”
He nodded. “I’ve seen pictures. I recall one from Central Park.”
My stomach suddenly twisted. “Wrong place, wrong time.”
“Ten millimeter. Most likely shot from a Glock 20. Automatic with a magazine that holds fifteen rounds, yet only one shot was fired.”
Oren and I stared at Luca. None of that was common knowledge. “How? How do you know that?” I asked.
“Family,” Vincent replied.
“What are you saying?” Oren asked.
“When family, even those we haven’t seen in years, is threatened in our backyard, we look into it.”
“Look into it?”
“We have friends. We have enemies. Sometimes threatening the most unlikely of targets can have the desired ripple effect.”
“You think Lennox was shot at because of the Costellos?” my father asked.
Vincent shook his head. “Not anymore. We had to be sure.”
“The woman you’re dating,” Luca said with his elbows now on his knees. “She’s from a good family?”
“I suppose that’s subjective,” I said. “Good as in wealthy. I don’t give a fuck about her money.”
Luca’s lips pressed together. “Not what I meant. I meant good as in sneaky as fuck.”
Adrenaline raced through my veins as my fists clenched. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve also been working with some high-powered people on some interesting drug deals.”
I scoffed. “You make it sound like I’m selling coke on the corner. It’s legal drugs.”
“Like alcohol,” Vincent interjected.
“Similar.”
“Not legal everywhere, not for recreational use,” Luca responded. “We were worried about our enemies, but Lennox, you have your share.”
“The shooting was aimed at me? You’re sure?” Part of me was relieved to know it wasn’t meant for Charli. Another part of me was furious as fuck. Who had the balls to shoot at me, especially with Charli present?
“Not without the shooter can we be sure. The shooter was a gun for hire. Not someone from around us. If it were, we’d know. The money trail has gone cold. The operation was well done—a professional. The entire operation. They knew your location. Their only mistake is that you’re still here.”
Oren stood. “Is that a threat?”
Vincent waved my father back to his seat. “No. It’s a relief. We’re still looking for the shooter. The bullshit on the news about the husband was genius.”
“Diversion,” I said.
“It was a good move.”
“Where do you think the money came from? Who put this plan into play?”
“I’m not sure about the money,” Luca answered. “As I said, the trail went cold. But that level of expertise can’t be found on Craigslist. Whoever hired the shooter knew who to contact, knew your schedule, and your vulnerability. My first area of concern is your inner circle. Do you walk through Central Park every day?”
I shook my head, my mind going through everyone on my personal security detail.
“Do you know anyone with those kinds of connections?” he asked.
I shrugged, mulling over my list of suspects. At one time I’d thought maybe it was Charli’s family, trying to scare her back to Savannah. It wasn’t only my concern, but one Deloris had mentioned. That was before we really knew Charli. Now that I do, I doubt that Alton Fitzgerald has those connections, and I was confident that Spencer wasn’t smart enough to pull it off.
And then I recalled advice Deloris had given me, telling me that around Severus Davis, a bulletproof vest was warranted. His expression when I appeared at the Senate Finance Committee had been one of surprise. It wasn’t enough proof, but it warranted investigation. “Let me give it some thought.”
Luca changed the subject. “This Chelsea Moore, was she seriously injured?”
“No broken bones, but her injuries aren’t all physical,” I replied.
“She’s a friend of your girlfriend, yet you’re responsible for her recent employment?”
“I’ve made mistakes.”
Vincent abruptly stood and extended his hand, first to Oren. “We will go now. My men are your men as long as you need them.”
Oren met him as we all stood. “Thank you.”
Vincent turned to me, extending his hand again. “My men need a name.”
“Vincent,” Oren began, “I think we’re working on it.”
With our hands still clasped, he said to Oren, “You’re not the only one who repays debts.” And back to me, “I’ve watched you. Despite the accomplishments you’ve achieved, the ones the world considers important…” His wide shoulders shrugged. “…those your mother surely thought important, college, business school, and even your fighting, I’ve not until tonight seen the man Angelina wanted you to be.” He nodded as a thin smile graced his thick lips. “She was proud of you, but I believe that she is even more proud now. Tonight, Lennox, you impressed me. Whatever you need, ask, call. Keeping your company scandal-free benefits us all. This woman, this girl, should not have been hurt. Give me a name.”
My gaze met Oren’s. If I did this, I knew what I was doing. I knew what it meant. I also knew I wanted Edward Spencer to pay.
“For a moment or for twenty years?” Deloris’s question came back.
Edward Spencer was in jail. Assuming the charges stuck, he would suffer for years to come. Did I want him to suffer for only a moment? Removing him from the equation wouldn’t be difficult while he was out on bail. We all knew that was coming.
Then again, was he the only one I wanted to pay?
Charli had argued that her devil was more evil than mine. Perhaps she’d been partially right—if Oren were my only devil, but he wasn’t. Mine was an entire family. Maybe it was time for the showdown.