Page 82 of Defending You

“You’d think selling little girls into prostitution might be a line even someone like Gagnon wouldn’t cross.”

The problem was, once people started operating on the wrong side of the law—and the moral good—that line became harder and harder to see. Asher had gone up against terrorists who adored their own families but didn’t hesitate to kill innocent children in order to further their own political—or financial—ends. Gagnon was no different from the worst of the worst—and Asher had met his share.

“So he’s blackmailing Pierce.” Asher directed his words to the phone. “He must be doing the same thing with the Boston guy—Falcone’s boss.”

“Haven’t proved it yet, but that’s my theory.”

“It explains why men from rival gangs are working together to find us.” Cici’s face lost what was left of its color. “Depending on how many gang leaders he’s blackmailing… He could have a nearly unlimited number of people at his disposal.”

“Yeah.” By Alyssa’s tone of voice, Cici’s remark had sobered her. She sounded more serious as she continued. “I’m looking for similar payment patterns from the Northside Kings’ ringleader. Haven’t found anything yet, but given what we know, it’s a reasonable assumption. Gagnon created a network of criminals who have no choice but to help him.”

Cici’s hand trembled as she reached for her cup. “That’s a dangerous game he’s playing. What keeps the people he’s blackmailing from taking him out?”

Asher fielded that. “He must have a contingency plan, some kind of dead-man’s switch. Something that automatically releases all his blackmail material if he doesn’t check in regularly.”

Cici’s eyes widened. “So every single person he’s got dirt on—politicians, crime bosses, whoever—they all have a vested interest in keeping him breathing. It’s not just that they can’t kill him. They actually need to protect him.”

“That’s how I’d do it,” Alyssa said.

She was a unique soul, this sister of Cici’s. Asher got the feeling she’d ridden that line between good and evil a few times in her life, unlike Cici, who was innocent and still seemed to feel the pang of disappointment when she learned of another person’s evil.

Maybe Asher was too jaded, but he couldn’t help the cold satisfaction that filled him. “Maybe his enemies have a reasonto keep him alive, but what’s that to us?” He glanced around to make sure nobody in the restaurant was close enough to overhear. “Way I see it, we eliminate Gagnon, we’re doing the world a favor, taking out a whole pile of…excrement in one shot.”

“Asher.” Cici’s voice went sharp. “You’re talking about murder.”

“Not murder.” Despite his words, he touched the gun tucked into its holster beneath his T-shirt, a reminder it was close. A reminder that he could do what needed to be done. “I’m just saying I won’t lose sleep if this guy and his army of thugs don’t make it home.” Cici’s eyes were wide with shock, though what did she expect? These people were trying to kill her. “In my defense, Gagnon started it. I plan to finish it.”

Cici’s jaw tightened. “After what happened to Mr. D… I see what you mean.”

“You two go ahead and plot homicide.” Alyssa’s voice cut through his dark contemplation. “Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can find the connection between Gagnon and whoever’s running the Northside Kings. And Callan is encouraging me to notify the FBI.”

Asher straightened. “Who’s Callan? I thought it was understood?—”

“He’s my fiancé.” Alyssa adopted arelax, I’ve got thiscadence. “He’s former CIA.”

Cici reached across the table and took Asher’s hand. “He’s a good guy, Asher. You’d like him.”

Since he hadn’t been consulted about reading this Callan guy in, he figured he didn’t have a choice in trusting him.

“I know Forbes has some guy at the FBI on speed dial,” Alyssa said. “Is it okay with you if I forward this information to him?”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Cici took the phone and started scrolling. “Sis, we’ve got a contact in Philly.” She read off Detective Harris’s number. “Let her know what you’ve learned. We might as well all work together.”

“Good plan,” Alyssa said. “Maybe we can take this guy down without killing him. Novel concept, I know.”

Asher supposed that would be ideal. But at this point, after everything they’d been through—and knowing this guy wouldn’t stop until Cici was dead—Asher couldn’t make himself reject the idea of taking Gagnon out permanently. Whatever it took to protect her.

“Look,” Alyssa continued, “this guy’s network is…huge. You shouldn’t be out there alone. You should bring in?—”

“We’re almost there,” Asher said, his voice clipped. “By the time anyone can get to us, we’ll be in Shadow Cove.”

Cici’s head tipped to one side, and he could see an argument forming on the tip of her tongue.

He’d gotten them this far, hadn’t he? Through every ambush, every close call. He could finish this job. Hewouldfinish it.

Alyssa said, “I’m just saying?—”