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“Let me know if you find anything. Night or day.”

The man wouldn’t soften, nor would we ever be friends, but at least for now, another slight truce had been allowed.

Now it was time to lay down the gauntlet.

* * *

“I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing. You ignore protocol and two separate required meetings, then insist on one only days after we had a nice long chat. Why are you purposely placing yourself in danger? Do you want to be discovered then killed?”

Louis was angry, but I was enraged at what I’d seen.

I yanked out my camera. “Trust me. This meeting is going to be short. I thought given our track record together you deserved to hear my warning in person.” I handed him the phone, waiting to see his response.

He flipped through the photographs, scowling but saying nothing. “What is this supposed to be?”

“You and I both know those are the remnants of a vehicle-borne explosive. As used by the military. Our insurgents taught us well, Louis. Along with a ton of military-grade weapons and ammunition being stolen, three good men lost their lives.”

“Three good men,” he scoffed. “Are you shitting me? They’re fucking criminals. They are the people we’re fighting against. I almost feel the need to question your loyalty.”

I walked closer, making him very uncomfortable. “My loyalty is to doing the right thing. If the DEA orchestrated having an alliance formed for the purpose of wiping out dozens if not hundreds of decent men and families, including wives and children who have no part in the business, then I’m going to offer you a piece of advice. Your days are numbered.”

“That sounds very much like a threat, Jeffers.”

With my teeth gritted, I smiled. “Take it as you will. The fact remains you will not use me as a pawn in your game. That’s not what I signed on for.”

“Did you not think becoming a member of the Santorelli crime family was playing a game? The last time I checked, you are still a credentialed and highly respected agent in the Drug Enforcement Agency. Or should I tell our superiors otherwise?”

“You fucking used me. You lied to me. I don’t like to be lied to.” I suddenly became very calm. I could tell by the look in his eyes he knew I was a ticking timebomb.

He looked away and shoved his hands into his pockets. I’d noticed his weapon earlier and unbuttoned my jacket so he could see mine. I was a much more skilled marksman than he was, and he knew it.

Louis caught my action, half laughing. “Look, from what I know, we weren’t the ones who planted that bomb. You said so yourself, the government aren’t the only ones with access to these types of bombs. I’ll look into it and see if there’s any chatter coming from my end. But I swear to you, I don’t know of such an operation.”

I took a deep breath. I still needed the man as an ally, at least for now. However, the trust was gone. “You do that, Louis. And you get back to me. I will tell you this. My family had better be protected.”

“Let me ask you this. Which one?” He eyed me carefully.

“Both.”

I turned and walked away, placing my hand around my weapon. Whatever was going on I wanted no part of.

Although my gut told me I had no other choice.

* * *

“I’m shocked you allowed me out of the house.” Carmella was teasing, the glow from the candlelight creating a shimmer across her cheeks.

“As I told you, you’re not a prisoner.”

“So you say.”

I chuckled and studied the room. There were very few customers, none of whom were sitting closer to our table. I’d sensed in the two days since we’d returned from the house in Great Neck that she was antsy. Much like I was.

I’d also refused to hide, determined that if I was wrong about the DEA’s involvement that eventually the true enemy would need to be flushed out. The only way to do so was to act as if we weren’t bothered by the recent events.

What I wouldn’t do was risk Gabriel’s life. He was tucked away at his grandfather’s house, spending time with his aunt and uncle. I’d wanted to get Carmella alone and away from my condo as well. I’d learned a long time ago not to trust anyone. It had always remained in the back of my mind the condominium could have been bugged early on. With the attacks, it was entirely possible that someone was listening in.

“I’ve never been here before,” she said as she sat back against the booth.