Page 77 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

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Jack

“What is it, Jack?” Kingston demands as I lean against his office door.

“Can we talk?”

With a wave of his arm, he invites me inside.

It’s still weird being here. Like I’ve entered an alternate universe where up is down and down is up, leaving my entire world turned on its axis. And now, I’m working with the fucking mob. But they don’t seem to stab their men in the back like Reed did, so who am I to judge them?

“Spit it out, Jack. I’ve had a long-ass day and want to sleep.”

Scratching my jaw, I sit down in one of the cushioned chairs across from Kingston’s desk. “What are my options here?”

He pauses and looks up from the papers scattered along his desk. “What options are you looking for?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then let’s look at the facts. Your superior threw you under the bus.”

“Yeah.”

“And your face is still all over the news.”

“I know.”

“And the one witness who can clear your name is under the Romano family’s protection.”

“That’s the thing….”

He tilts his head and steeples his fingers in front of him. “Go on,” he dares me.

“What if she isn’t the only witness?”

“Are you asking permission to talk to a certain rat who tried to convince Dex to betray the Romano family?”

I clear my throat but hold his gaze. Except I can’t tell what the hell he’s thinking. And I have no freaking clue if I’m about to sign my death certificate as I utter, “Yeah.”

“And what do you think Dominic can do for you?” he challenges. That same controlled facade is firmly in place. “He’s a rat. And as of right now, he belongs to me.”

“I know. But if we could just convince him to testify against Reed—”

“And how would you convince him, Jack? He’s a greedy bastard who only wants money. I doubt an honest Fed has enough to sway him.”

Keeping my expression indifferent, I argue, “If he stays in your custody, he’s going to wind up dead. Am I right?” Kingston’s mouth quirks, but he doesn’t bother to confirm my theory, so I press forward. “If he testifies, he’ll get to keep his life.”

“Possibly. But a rat doesn’t do well in prison either, and he doesn’t have many friends to watch his back while he’s behind bars. Even if you can cut him a deal with a lighter sentence, he’ll still end up serving time. He could wind up dead there too.”

“I think it’d be worth the risk. If he stays here, his death is guaranteed.”

Again, Kingston doesn’t deny it. “And what do I get out of this?”

My jaw ticks as I mutter a sentence that I never thought I’d have to. “You get a man on the inside.”

“Or I could have another Romano soldier.”

My eyes widen as I register his offer. Work for Kingston? Become a soldier for the Romano family? My mouth opens before closing just as quickly. Pretty sure I look like a fish out of water as I actually consider his proposition. But if I accepted, I’d still be wanted by the Feds. I’d still be hiding in the shadows. And I can’t live like that.