Ricky slapped his hand down on the conference desk. “I’m out of retirement.”

Miles lifted his head. “Yeah, something change your mind?”

“Someone.”

“You sure you want to make this decision because of a woman?”

“Would you?”

“We’re not talking about me.”

Ricky pulled out a chair. “All I know is, I don’t think I will ever get the look in Vikki’s eyes out of my head.”

“We’re working on it now. That will not happen again.”

“It’s not changing my decision.”

Cooper stepped into the room. “Hey, Ricky. Couldn’t help over hearing the conversation. It’s been fifteen years since you worked with us. You think you still have what it takes?”

Ricky rolled his eyes. “And some.”

Erickson was sitting at the other end of the conference table. “What am I missing?”

“Ricky is a retired cop and has done undercover work for us in the past,” Miles said and closed the file he was working on.

Erickson scowled. “Retired? You don’t look that old.”

“I left the force early. Not for me.”

“More like, a case got in his head,” Cooper said and sat next to Miles.

“Maybe.”

Ricky didn’t like the vibe he was feeling in the room. All he knew was, he’d sat by Vikki’s bed and watched her for twenty-four hours letting the idea run back and forth in his mind. When she’d woke up unsure of what had happened the night before, that sealed the deal on his decision.

The case Cooper was referencing still gave him nightmares.

“You sure you want to get involved in this shit again,” Cooper asked.

“This shit?”

“Yeah, it deals with your favorite people.”

Ricky stood and walked over to the window. “How the hell did Vikki get involved with the biggest mob boss Toronto has ever seen?”

“We speculate she is a pawn.” Miles leaned back in his chair. “There is a possibility it could’ve been Preslie, but Vikki drew the short straw.”

“Jesus.” He rested his hands on the table. “Whatever you need, just tell me when and where.”

“Ricky, the moment we start to share everything, there’s no going back.”

“Lay it on me.” He sat down and interlocked his fingers in front of him.

Cooper and Miles spent the next hour filling Ricky in on everything that had happened with Letizia and her family. He was trying to process how deep Letizia’s family went with the Nesta mob. The fact that her father actually worked for Giano was reason enough to come out of retirement. He knew Giano would stop at nothing to take anyone in Letizia’s orbit down.

“Wait, so Vikki and Preslie are close to Letizia? So jackass thought if he put a hit on one of them, it would lure Zia back?”

“Pretty much,” Miles said. “Finley and Letizia are still in Clearwater, Florida. We have not seen any sign of Dego or Giano. That doesn’t mean we’re not missing something.”

“I could go see Letizia and Finley and scope out the place?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Cooper said and grabbed the file Miles was working on. “But you can’t go looking like that.”

“Looking like what?” Ricky asked, stroking his hand down his long beard.

“Like a woodsman hiding out in a cabin.”

“Nice.”

* * *

“You sure you want to do this?” Miles asked, hitting the start engine button on his SUV.

“I have no other choice.”

“You always have a choice.”

“Vikki needs us.”

“You can’t go see her now. You okay with that?”

Ricky looked out the passenger window. “It’s not forever.” He had to keep saying that over and over in his mind because he didn’t believe the words. It would be hard leaving without saying goodbye to Vikki. He knew Miles would keep him updated. “Will you put Vikki, Preslie, and the kids in protective custody?”

“Yeah, they have a house set up now. We will be in upstate New York, so stateside, too,” Miles said and turned onto Ricky’s street. “Preslie’s going to be pissed. I know she just wants to stay here in Toronto because of the kids’ school schedules.”

“Miles, keep driving.” Ricky noticed a black Sedan not far from the entrance to his place. “That car is out of place.”

They both stayed silent as they drove by. Ricky could see two heads in the front seat but couldn’t make out if anyone was in the back.

“Well, looks like we need to get that new haircut a-s-a-p.”

Ricky’s hair hung around his face and covered his ears. He had a long beard which hung down past his collarbone. The beard was more because he was lazy and hated to shave. “Let’s avoid going to my barber for now and head over to the other side of town.”

Miles grabbed his phone. “Cooper, there are eyes on Ricky’s place.” He said yes a few times and hung up.

“So, am I taking a plane ride sooner than I planned?”

“Looks like it.”

Ricky was in the barber longer than normal. The guy was careful when cutting the beard and gave him a clean shave. Once his hair was chopped off, he glanced in the mirror and had to do a double take. It was like looking at a completely different person.

He wasn’t excited about coming out of retirement. After the last case, he’d vowed to leave that world behind. Unfortunately, as a cop, it was just a part of who you are. The good, the bad, and the ugly were a part of your life.

The Nesta mob was the oldest and largest mob ring in and around Toronto. Over the years, several of Giano’s men were killed or placed in jail for life. Giano was smart, though. He knew how to lurk in the shadows and avoid getting caught.

Ricky closed his eyes and saw a woman screaming for him. He jumped and the barber stepped back. “You okay, sir?”

He glanced around. “Yeah, sorry. I guess I may have dosed off. Long night last night.”

“Aren’t you in the band with Miles?”

“Yeah, you know about our band?”

“Oh, yeah, my wife and I go to all your shows.”

Ricky had no idea how they would manage to keep him undercover in this town. It was a large city, but everyone knew each other. They exchanged small talk, but Ricky didn’t share much about himself.

Once the guy finished, Ricky stood and paid him. “Thanks. I appreciate you getting me in last minute.” He made his way out to the vehicle.

Miles was tapping his hands on the steering wheel when Ricky approached. When he caught sight of his friend, he froze. “Holy shit.”

“Don’t make this any worse than it already is.”

“Man, you’re like a completely different person. Shit.”

“So, this woodsman may just fit in after all?”

“Oh, you will fit in just fine. Now we need to get you a few suits.”

Ricky groaned.

“Come on, Romeo.”