Page 109 of Lord of Vice

The Death Squad was a real entity, one with teeth.

“Positive. Judge Withers’ name has appeared in searches more than once. So has your good mayor. I don’t know how you want to handle it or if you do, but the Brotherhood feels certain both men are tied to the organization.”

“My father used to say keep your friends close but your enemies closer. I think I’ll allow Mayor Peterson to live. However, the judge and I have something more personal to discuss.”

Diego laughed. “I understand. We all have our weaknesses.”

“Did your birth father have any words of wisdom?”

There was a hesitation and I knew Diego was concerned, whether or not he considered himself close to his father. “My father is a survivor and a murderous bastard. With Emiliano’s fall, he’s initiated a hunt for the smaller cartels, regaining his full authority over several areas in the country. However, he did issue a warning. The groups of assassins are increasing every day.”

That meant the Death Squad was preparing for a possible all-out war. “Understood.”

“I’ll call you with meeting details but in this case, we’ll come to your fair city. Would that be acceptable?”

“Just remember I’ve yet to make my full decision.”

“Understood and wise. Happy hunting.”

Hunting. I ended the call, tossing the phone on my desk. Jake’s father wasn’t the man I was interested in hunting but with Penny disappearing, I refused to allow her past to come back and haunt her.

Anger.

Sadness.

Love.

All three had been my constant friends since my beautiful Penny had managed to slip from my life. I was also heartbroken, although the feeling had morphed into the other three. And I was just as determined to get her back.

I stood where I usually did at this time of day, staring out at the pool where I’d last heard her laugh. Drink in my hand. Darkness in my mind.

I’d hired the finest and most efficient construction company in the city, making certain the estate was no longer a war zone before Vissarian had come home from the hospital. Everything was back to normal, at least as normal as things would ever be again.

At least in my mind.

I’d looked for her, but it had become obvious she’d left the city, stealing what cash I had to do so. After making calls, including to some folks who checked out Roanoke for me, I’d decided that looking for her would be destructive for both of us.

That decision had shattered what was left of my soul.

“Are you going to sulk all day?” I heard Vissarian from behind me. He’d recovered nicely, the doctors telling me more than once he’d been very lucky.

I turned to face him, smiling and shaking my head. The near tragedy had pushed us closer together, which had been the single benefit. “Yes. What about you?”

“Well, I thought I’d go job hunting.” He was leaning against the doorframe looking more boyish than usual. He was no worse for the wear after saving my life and almost losing his.

“Oh, yeah? You sure you can drive?”

“Don’t need to.” He walked into the room, handing me a couple of pieces of paper.

“What’s this?”

“My resume. It was about time I put one together.”

I was more than impressed and took the kid seriously, more than I had in far too long. As I read it over, I felt such a sense of pride. It was amazing to see how many qualifications he had that I’d looked past, including some internships he’d done all through high school.

“Yes,” I said after reading it over twice. “But can you type?”

We both grinned and he walked even closer. “I am serious. I want to work with you. I’m a damn good computer programmer and I can keep what happened from happening again. Plus, I have some pretty nifty gun skills.”