Dominic listened as Ramone Malton, aka Money, briefed everyone on the Mixed Martial Arts, (MMA), event he was hosting at the arena. He wanted to bring the Malton family out of the old-style mob business. He always said he was a business man, but no matter what, Ramone Malton was still a killer. Ramone could say a thousand times that the family was going legit, he and some of the others knew better. That would change when he took over. He would bring back the old ways.

Right now, everyone was enjoying the money their leader was bringing in. The man would make millions of dollars off one night of MMA fights to the arena. Yeah, he was smart, but he got sloppy and had been preoccupied in checking on the accounts Dominic managed. He had a few more days before Money did a complete audit. He always gave fair warning before he came checking.

He had to find those accounts numbers or he was as good as dead. To complete the perfect coup and knock off the head of the Malton family took money and that money he had hidden in the Cayman Islands was for just that. But all the numbers were erased from his computer, so he knew the bitch’s parents did it. He already had another computer expert explain that to him. The numbers were downloaded onto some kind of drive.

“Dominic, do you have anything to add? Are the vendors ready to go on Saturday night?” Money asked, jerking him out of his thoughts.

“Sure, boss. Everything will be in place.” Dominic already had everyone scheduled. He knew his job. Damn, the man for making a fool of him. Everyone stared at him like he was stupid or something. He wasn’t stupid. He even knew how to do Money’s job and soon enough he would be running the show. He knew how to make money, too, and when he didn’t get what he was owed, he knew how to take care of business.  

If Ramone was so smart, he would have known he was taking money from the accounts. So, Money wasn’t that smart of a leader. He was just lucky, and when you were running the show, you surrounded yourself with people who made you look good. That’s what he was for. He made the Malton family look good and brought in lots of money to prove it.

Reaching into his pocket, Dominic could feel his phone vibrating. Money made everyone turn their cellphones on vibrate, and you sure as hell didn’t pull it out when he was having a meeting.

Quietly, he pulled his phone out and looked down at the text message from the hacker. He had to smile because Lady Fortune was shining on him tonight. The text read, “I found the kid in a small town in New Hope, Georgia. Nothing further.”

Dominic smiled pushing his phone back into his pocket. Gotcha was all he could think. He would get Detective Blake to go with him. If he ran into trouble, he would have a cop to clear everything up. Good thing Blake was on his payroll and he owed him. Good thing the cop had a cocaine habit that he helped him out with.

As soon as this meeting was over, he would be on the road to Georgia. Better watch out Alexandra Marsh, he was coming to get her.

* * *

 Alex watched from the door as Haine and Lucky played video games. Her brother looked happy here and she was, too. If only she could find a way to make all the bad stuff go away.

“Hey, Alex,” Lucky said still facing the TV. How he knew she was standing there was beyond her.

“Hey, guys,” Alex said, walking into Lucky’s bedroom and sitting on the bed. “Did you guys have fun last night?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lucky said.

“We had a blast. Can I stay tonight, too? They asked me to.” Haine asked, pleading with his eyes.

“I don’t see why not. Bane said he was watching you guys tomorrow. I’m just glad you had fun.”

“Tell her about the thumb drive,” Lucky said.

“Oh yeah.” Haine picked up his IPad and took a thumb drive out that had her parents’ company name on it. “I thought my thumb drive was in here, but somehow, I got Mom and Dad’s. I have no clue where mine is and it had all my games on it.”

Alex’s body froze. Why would this be in Haine’s IPad case. Her parents would have never put one of theirs with his games. A wave of nausea flooded her stomach. They knew he kept all his games on his. This was important. She could feel it.

“I’m sure they put it in there by mistake. I’ll keep this and we can get you another one. I love you, bud. I’m going back to the B&B, but I will see you two tomorrow. Haine be good for them.” Alex couldn’t let Finn know about the thumb drive. She wouldn’t involve them right now. Maybe she was mistaken. Maybe they transferred all his games over to one of theirs because it held more memory. When she got back to her room, she would make sure.

Leaning over, Alex kissed the side of Haine’s cheek. What was she going to tell Finn to get rid of him? He was too important to her and if he got hurt she would never survive it. The man was everything to her now. He had squirmed his way into her heart and now she couldn’t survive if he tried to protect her and…shaking her head, Alex cleared her mind. If Finn felt like something was wrong, he wouldn’t leave her side.

Walking into the living room, she saw Finn standing next to the fireplace. Immediately, he walked over to her when she came through the doorway. “What’s wrong?”

Alex narrowed her eyes but smiled back at him. Trying like hell to put him at ease. “Nothing, why?”

Finn stared at her for a full minute examining her like she was a new species. “You look worried. Is Haine okay?”

“He’s great and having a blast. I’ve got a headache, but nothing is wrong.” Alex looked at the others and smiled. “Thank you, Simone and Bane, for keeping Haine. He’s having so much fun. I can’t thank you all for what you have done for us. You all mean the world to me.” Alex stopped talking before she started crying. These people had been wonderful to her and if she could only keep them safe then that’s what she was going to do.

“Oh, Alex…We’re so happy you’re here.” Both Quin and Simone gave her a goodbye hug. All the men backed off except Finn. He was still standing beside her, smiling.

“Thank you.” Alex placed her fingers to her temple. She had to do this so Finn would believe her later.

“You have a headache,” Quinn stated. “I think I have some Ibuprofen in my purse. It’s old and I don’t buy it anymore because I just don’t need it.”

“Are you in pain?” Finn pulled her close to him placing his hands against her temples.

“I’m fine. I had some in my purse and took it but I’m tired and want to go lie down. I will be at work tomorrow, but if you need me or if Haine needs me just call.” Alex said waving as Finn hurried her out of the door. He was about to pick her up and carry her to his truck until Alex stopped him. “Finn, I’m really okay. I just need to be alone for a while and regroup. Is that okay with you? A lot has happened in the past couple days and I need time to process this. Please understand.”

She could see the disappointment and hurt on his face. “Of course, I understand.”

“It’s not you. I haven’t changed my mind or anything like that. I’m not used to being with someone all the time and I would like some down time. I will see you in the morning at breakfast.”

Finn sighed and nodded opening the truck door for her. “I will be okay without you for a while.” Before he shut the door, he smiled and winked at her.

Alex felt some relief, but she knew he was frustrated. Once Finn got in the truck, she unbuckled and slid beside him. “But we can snuggle before we get back to the B&B.”

Wrapping his arm around her, Finn started the truck and left pack grounds. She had a long night ahead of her if she was going to find out what was on this thumb drive that got her parents killed.