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“I didn’t. I’m calling from an encrypted phone. Is this line secure?”
A beat passed. “No, this is my personal cell. Text me your number and I’ll call you back.” Nash hung up.
Toth sent him the number to his encrypted phone and a few minutes later it rang. He swiped to answer as he made his way to the kitchen.
“We’re good,” Nash said abruptly. “What’s up?”
“Do you know anyone inside Lionsgate Kinship?”
Silence stretched. “How do you know about that?”
Working his jaw, Toth weighed his words. He was the outsider. Not trustworthy as far as his siblings were concerned. If he wanted Nash’s trust, he had to put his own ass on the line first. Discussing any job was unethical. Disclosing a job while it was ongoing, let alone one of this caliber, was even worse. He’d keep as many details to himself as possible to protect Savannah.
“Just the word on the street,” he said, needing to cut to the chase. “I’m on a job right now. Watching over someone for the next six days or so. We were told a gang was after her, but some new details have come to light and it seems someone inside Lionsgate is trying to kill her.”
Nash scoffed. “That’s interesting. Lionsgate’s dead. I mean, I’m sure you read about the bombing in the news.”
“That was Cole?” That information had also been in the news, and Cole was presumed dead. He’d faked his own demise.
“Yeah.” His voice was terse. “This is the first I’ve heard that Lionsgate’s up and running. I can ask some old friends, but I can’t imagine they’d be operating here. In another state, sure. But Cole took out a lot of bigwigs. They were already crippled from previous arrests.”
“Meaning when you got Conrad on the hook for child trafficking?” Toth asked.
“That’s right. Lexi—my wife—and I did.” Nash made a clicking sound with his tongue. “Look, I want to help. I’m gonna need some more information.”
Toth tunneled his hand through his hair. He didn’t have much choice. The odds of Rami being wrong were slim. The guy was nothing if not thorough, and he wouldn’t risk the job unless he was damn sure there was something amiss. “Someone’s trying to kill Danny Carrington’s daughter—”
Nash cursed. “The Sinners Cartel leader?”
“That’s the one.” And damn if he didn’t growl the words.
“Hell,” Nash breathed. “That’s war.”
And he was in the middle of it. “No shit.” Keeping his voice low, he filled Nash in on the details.
Nash exhaled. “This sounds messy and dangerous. If Lexi weren’t due to have the baby any day now, I’d get more involved.”
A pang struck Toth’s chest. He’d have a niece or nephew. A kid who probably wouldn’t know him and who’d have three other uncles—Toth wouldn’t be missed. “Congrats,” he mumbled, then cleared the thickness from his throat. “I understand. I wouldn’t want to endanger them.”
“I’ve got one person I think I can trust, even if Lionsgate’s up and going. If he doesn’t know anything about this, no one will. Gimme a day or so.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Nash disconnected and Toth pocketed his phone.
Gratitude relaxed his muscles. Nash didn’t have to help. He could have told Toth to fuck off but he hadn’t. Hell, they might not establish a sibling bond but if they had each other’s backs with shit like this, that was good enough.
He dragged his gaze to the fire crackling in the living room. He’d never been a romantic. Dates didn’t really interest him unless they involved a few drinks before a roll in bed. Surely a therapist would have a whole lot to unpack regarding why he didn’t like commitment, but right now... right now he wanted Savannah in front of the fire with him. And not just so he could explore every inch of her body, not just so he could kiss her, but dammit, so he could get to know her.
A lethal combination.
***
The deep rumbleof Toth’s voice stopped, but Savannah’s aching loins craved to hear his voice some more. God, she’d never gotten off from a guy’s voice—hell, he wasn’t even talking to her—but she was close to getting the sheets wet.
Pathetic.
She was an adult. She wanted sex. And she was hiding in the loft out of fear he’d sense her wants. Massaging her collarbone, she listened to the fire snap and pop, almost calling her to its warmth.