Page 24 of Free to Judge

But the Italians' faces don’t change.

“Your judgment has always been… disciplined,” says the eldest Italian, a man named Bellini, his voice smooth and slow. “But lately, there’s been chatter.”

“What chatter?”

Vito reaches into a leather portfolio and slides a glossy photo across the table.

My pulse hitches. I don’t let it show.

The photo was grainy. Black and white. The courthouse. My face is fully visible. Her face turned away, likely out of embarrassment.

Kalie.

“You’ve been…preoccupied,” Bellini says, steepling his fingers. “That’s not like you.”

“I have a personal life but she doesn’t factor into it. She’s a nuisance. One I’ve taken care of. I had her arrested to teach her a lesson. It won’t touch the business.”

“Everything touches the business,” Jack says, finally sitting forward. “You know that. Hell, you taught that to Sid here when he was still slinging coke out of the shop office.”

“True story,” Sid grins.

I don’t look away from the Italians. “What are your concerns?”

“That you are giving your all to ourfamigliascase.”

“I am,” I say with conviction.

“Maybe,” Vito says. “Or maybe we should help you keep your mind where it’s supposed to be.”

Jack pulls the photo toward himself and examines it like a bored teenager. “She’s got good legs,” he murmurs. “Wonder what her face looks like?” He pushes it aside.

I have to force myself not to rise to his bait.If he only knew…

“We have always reported to our friends,” Bellini nods across the table in deference to the Byrnes, and Jack returns the gesture with a firm nod. “You have our best interest at heart. It’s part of why we trust you. But we can’t help but be concerned when you do not consult us, Declan. We’re smart men but cautious ones. Wary, even.”

“Especially of ones who think they can play both sides,” Vito adds, a little too loudly for my liking. His warning hangs in the air there, palpable. Tangible.

I slowly reach forward and tug the photo in my direction. “I protect this family’s interests. That doesn’t change.”

“Let’s hope not,” Bellini says. “For everyone’s sake.”

“Women,” Jack mutters with a grin, already losing interest, “put on this planet for one reason.”

Vito can’t help himself. “What is that, Jack?”

“To service us or to serve us up on a platter.”

There’s a scattering of laughter around the room, which cuts off when I snap my briefcase closed. “Is this meeting over?”

Bellini nods. “For now.”

I turn, walking out with the photograph tucked into my briefcase. I don’t let them see the burning desire to cap each and every one of them behind my calm facade.

Not yet.

Not until it is time to burn their entire world down.

After that meeting—after the veiled threats and cheap laughter by men who would be better off offering their organs to feed daisies—I don’t head home. I drive fast. Faster than I should. As fast as I can to outrun the ghosts of my past. These same men are the ones who took out Tanya. I’m certain of it.