Page 16 of Double Standards

While I’ve seen a brief highlight of what Caruthers is capable of, it doesn’t hurt to know more. Especially if it gains me leverage. I don’t trust easily, even if they’re my lawyer. And between Hunter and Lucchese, they can get me all the information I need, information that might not be public record.

“We need to talk about who it was that came after you, Ax,” Trigger says as he leans against the wall beside the booth we’re situated in. He glances at Max, who is busy on his laptop, typing away in the adjacent booth.

“Do you know who it was?” I question them both.

Trigger shrugs but Max’s face is so focused on the screen in front of him that I don’t ask again. If there’s anything to know, Max will speak up.

“But we need to be wary of who we trust right now,” Triggercontinues. “That cop who’s been chasing my ass is friends with Caruthers.”

The room falls silently—as silent as it can with the DJ blaring out tunes—the air thick and taut. I know what he’s saying and I have to agree; maybe having Cassidy as my lawyer was the wrong move, but there’s no denying how good she is. After all, she got me out today with little to no information and as professionally ruthless as she seems, I doubt she’d go against me.If she knows what’s good for her.

“You’re forgetting that I’m still not out of the woods, Colombo. Whether she’s best friends with the goddamn Pope, she’s my best bet at getting out of this clean.” I spin the amber liquid around the glass, swilling it as I lose myself in thought.

“It’ll be fine, Ax.” Hunter smiles his uniquely boyish grin at me. “Lucchese is working on hacking into the Mayor’s Office.”

“For what?” I frown as Hunter paces towards the bar. “All evidence traces back to me.” My hand clenches around the tumbler. Surveillance was probably one of the first places the cops looked to find out who killed the Mayor, and whoever planted evidence must’ve been good.

“It was doctored,” Max chimes in, his tone level and husky.

“No shit.” I throw back the remainder of my whiskey in an effort to temper my anger.

“He thinks he can scrub it, find out who’s behind it.” Hunter returns with a fresh glass filled to the top. So much for celebrations, this feels like a commiseration party.

Max clears this throat, closing his laptop and standing up. He doesn’t say anything, but then again, he rarely says much unless it’s necessary. He lifts his chin in my direction before heading towards the door, leaving us all watching his exit.

“Where’s he going?” Trigger asks, pacing towards the couch.

“He’s got something,” I respond as I take a sip of my drink.

Rolling his eyes, Trigger drops down beside me. “Could’ve said goodbye,” he retorts.

He knows as well as I do that Max doesn’t make idle small-talk. He doesn’t beat around the bush and he doesn’t slack on work. Lucchese gets shit done and when it comes to The Five, he’ll make damn well sure that it survives whatever storm comes our way. We all will.

“So, how much have you told your little lawyer?” Hunter taunts, lifting a suggestive brow as he asks.

“Enough to be here,” I remark.

Hunter and Trigger share a glance, though I’m not really sure what their silent conversation is about, I let them have it. Crossing my ankle over my knee, I dart my gaze between them. “Where’s Genovese?”

Ryder is usually always here, though he has a habit of turning up late. The fact that he’s joining forces with us is what makes this dynamic unstoppable.

I watch Hunter scroll through his phone, huffing as he puts it back in his pocket. “He’s not coming,” he announces. “Daddy issues.”

Grunting back in response, I take a large gulp of whiskey. I should care more about Ryder being here, but the truth is it’s not up to me. I’m not his boss, I’m his ally. While we’ve all taken over from our families, Ryder is still trying to prove his worth to his father, meaning he’s not in charge—but he’s a damn good asset.

“Someone needs to tie Genovese Senior up to a car battery,” Trigger grumbles.

“He’ll be dead soon enough,” Hunter laughs.

There’s no love lost between us and Ryder’s father. The old man refuses to align with us. He’s still stuck in the old ways, when he and my father were in wars over territory. Clearly he still harbors resentment over what happened decades ago because he’s using his son as a pawn. He thinks we don’t know what he’s doing, but Ryder’s motivations are steered towards The Five and what we stand for, rather than his loyalty to the Genovese name.

It’s a shame, really. Ryder has potential, so it’s a surprise he’snot been handed the reins yet. We all know the reason why, though. It all comes down to power and while Genovese Senior has it, he still holds a fifth of the city. He won’t join our allegiance because he doesn’t want to leave shit to us. Ironic, considering he’s allowed his son to work with us.

“Update him when you can,” I say to Hunter. “The Five needs all components.”

Hunter nods in agreement and picks up his phone, typing away on it.

I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees, watching the dancers move under the red lights. My mind keeps circling back to her. ToCassidy fucking Caruthers.She’s warm and dangerous and utterlynot mine. She doesn’t belong in my world. She’s too good for it, too clean. But that didn’t stop the way her voice stirred something deep inside me. Something I thought I'd never feel.