Page 19 of The Apprentice

“Well... yeah.” He grinned in a smarmy way. “It was six months ago that her relatives gave me the book. If you were such good friends, you’d have it already, wouldn’t you? What does that say about your alliance with Folliero?”

The bastard knew he had us by the balls, and I wasn’t awed by it. I sniffed and glanced at Daire, who had his composure again. His back was straight and his eyes dark as they rested on me, waiting for my move.

“How much did you expect for a small amount of information like that?” I clenched my teeth together, reminding myself of Sloan’s lessons.Stay calm, and don’t let them know they’ve pissed you off. Your face must always be blank. Let them guess what you feel.“You didn’t give us what we wanted.”

“But I told you where to get it. I at least deserve a quarter.”

“A quarter of a million?” I chuckled, resting my fingers against my lips. “You want a quarter? Don’t make me laugh. You’ve given usnothing.”

Pellegrini’s smile fell and he shoved to his feet, pointing a finger at me. “You wouldn’t know where to find that book without me.”

I leaned forward. “And you only told us because your favorite little Italians aren’t talking to you. Are they not playing nice?”

Daire chuckled low in his throat. “And now he’s telling on them because he didn’t get his way.”

I laughed harder and glanced into his eyes, which twinkled with pride.

Pellegrini hissed between his teeth, spit flying and nearly landing on my freshly polished shoes. “You think this is funny? I gave you information, and now I want my cut, or I’ll take you to my cop friends and make sure you land your ass in prison.”

I shot to my feet. I towered over him to convey my dominance to the former detective, and it earned me a pained wince from Pellegrini.

“Do not threaten a Killough,” I said calmly. “You’re nothing but used goods, Mr. Pellegrini, and we can make you disappear like you never existed.”

Pellegrini swallowed, his Adam’s apple jumping in his throat. “I want my money.”

“We’ll give you ten, that’s all.” I took a step away and offered him a smile. “Take it or leave it. Either way, Mr. Reardon and I will be leaving, and if I get even a hint that your officer friends are sniffing around us, we will end you for good. Am I clear?”

His chest heaved and nostrils flared. “Ten is fucked.”

“We’re not going any higher.” I crossed my arms. “Ten or nothing.”

“Folliero’s men gave me a hundred.”

“And you gave them the rats’ names. Something we wanted that you didn’t give to us.” I shrugged. “A shame for you. We would’ve given you half a million for that book.”

He came toward me, stumbling. “You fucking?—”

Daire shot in front of me like a wall of security, his posture defensive. Even in a suit, his body looked amazing, the kind of armor I enjoyed having. Too bad it didn’t come with him wanting more than sex.

He raised his hand toward Pellegrini. “I’d be very careful about what you say next.”

Pellegrini’s cheeks and forehead turned a bright red and his glare intensified. “Ten is fine.”

Daire grunted like he didn’t believe him but nodded, backing away and guiding me to move with him. We walked out the door, and Pellegrini followed, half stumbling in a way that confirmed he’d most likely been drinking all morning or was still drunk from last night. When we got to the car, Daire pointed at the opposite side, and I moved to stand there while Daire popped the trunk, pulling out a few stacks of hundred dollar bills from a black duffel bag and passing them to him.

Pellegrini watched, jaw tight enough to shatter, and his attention caught on the bag with the many other stacks of cash he’d never get. “What if I can give you more?”

“Like what?” I asked, though I wasn’t expecting much.

“The Follieros. Obviously, they aren’t telling you what they should, are they? Maybe I can keep an eye on them for you. Share what they’re doing.” He tried to smile, but it was fake, and I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.

I pressed my lips together and walked next to Daire beside the trunk. I grabbed out another ten grand and passed it to Pellegrini, and the ex-detective’s smile was real this time—almostexcited, as though thinking about how much beer he could buy with it.

“Keep us informed.”

Pellegrini nodded and staggered his way back into the house.

Daire and I watched him until the door closed.