Page 111 of Never Say Never

"I found out where the Triads are holed up. I know the last raid didn't go well, and I've been given command of your team while you're out. Well, one of my contacts was able to come through with some information and I wanted you to be the first to hear it. I'm not even releasing the location to the team or the backup that will be going in with us."

"Yeah?" I shifted in the oversized chair I sat in. "What do you want me to do?"

"I know you're in hiding, but I also know you have a score to settle. Do you want to lead the charge on this? We could get you out of hiding without anyone knowing and get you back after it's done."

My heart sped up. I had the chance to go out and put away the men that had taken part in threatening my children? Just knowing that, my body tightened. Logically, I knew I should probably stay. However, the truth was that I was the best at my fucking job. Yeah, I had been railroaded and screwed over lately, but my track record before dealing with the Vitales was spotless.

I was the man you called when you wanted shit to go right.

"Where is it?"

"They've been holed up in a set of abandoned office buildings on the west side of town. I'll send you the address and delete it off my phone. I trust you, York, and only you."

My chest puffed out hearing that. "Thank you. I trust you as well. Let's get these bastards."

Casey chuckled. "That's why I only mess with you, York. No one likes putting away the bad guys the way you do."

He was right about that. Every asshole I got off the street was one less innocent person that would be killed because of some crimnal's wild desires. My Dawn had needed that protection. I couldn't save her, but I could save others. I had to. For her, for me, for my girls.

I couldn't stop.

"Are you in?" Casey asked.

"Let me put some things in order," I said as Paolo wandered back into view. He stared at me a little too hard. "I have to go. I'll call you back."

"Okay, let me know as soon as possible. This is a disposable phone so just contact this one."

"You got it."

I’d been after the Triads and Aceto’s for so damn long. Qiang was already on my radar, but I’d started researching a man named Tasso as well. From what I could tell, he was the new head of the Aceto’s. There was something about him that I hated, something I couldn’t put my finger on. Whatever it was, I would figure it out when I dragged him into custody right along with Qiang.

We hung up. As soon as we did, Paolo was in my space. He reached for my phone, but I quickly hit the side button and hid the screen. Paolo looked at it before he leaned down.

"Who was that?" he asked. His voice was calm, but there was malice in his eyes.

"Nobody."

Paolo's eyes narrowed. "It didn't seem like nobody, and you hung up on them awfully quick."

I blinked at him. "Are you jealous, Paolo?"

He grabbed my shirt, yanking me toward him. "Who is he? I'll cut off his dick and feed it to him."

My heart skipped a beat. I immediately lectured myself. It was not okay that I got turned on by the way Paolo acted. He was violent, and he acted like a Vitale, but for some reason when that jealousy and concern was pointed at me, it was almost comforting.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The wild look in Paolo's eyes said he meant every word of what he said. Slowly, I reached up and removed my shirt from his grasp. He breathed through his nose, like a bull that had caught sight of a red cape.

"That was my old colleague and friend. He's found out some information on the Triads, namely where they're holed up. They're going to be conducting a raid and he wants me to be part of it." I grinned. "Actually, he wants me to take the lead."

"What?" he asked.

"Yeah, he said he wants me to take the lead. We both know that's a big deal. Most agents don't want anyone taking their spotlight. But he knows I have something to prove."

"You don't have anything to prove."

I scoffed. "When someone tries to kill your kids, you can try telling me that again."