Page 19 of The Kingpin’s Omega Lover (River City Omegas #2)

“You’re right,” King replied. “Bishop, I need you to contact the local police department and find out what you can about Mr. Alexie’s murder.

Spin a story, pose as a reporter, because we have two faces connected to the name Yovani Alexie.

We need to know for certain that the autopsy was for the heavyset guy on the driver’s license, and that he’s the real Yovani Alexie. ”

“Agreed,” Bishop said. “I’m surprised Ziggy couldn’t confirm it.”

“I want you both on this.” King trusted Ziggy, but he trusted Bishop more.

And sometimes seconds-in-command had better people skills than cyber hackers.

Ziggy was great with computers and software, but not so much with finessing people.

“We’ve got pictures of two similar alive men, and one dead man who could be either of them.

Possibly, but unlikely, they’re all the same man.

Assuming we are dealing with two men, and one name/social security number, I see two possibilities here. ”

“Which are what?” Malori asked.

“The police got it right, the dead man is your Aleks Yovenko, and we know for sure he’s been murdered by someone.”

“But you don’t believe that.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Why?”

He loved the way Malori was asking questions, exploring the way King’s mind was processing this information. Learning. “Look at the evidence. These two men look similar, but that driver’s license photo was taken a year before Yovenko came to the Farm, right? Roughly?”

Malori glanced at the date. “About, yes.”

“I could buy Chubby License Guy losing weight, maybe having a little face work done so he looks more like Handsome ID Photo Guy. But, I’m having a harder time buying Handsome ID Guy is the schlub in that very recent autopsy photo. The timing doesn’t work.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”

“Plus.” King squeezed his wrist. “What do your instincts tell you? You know Yovenko best.”

Malori’s gaze went distant as he sorted through the things taking up space in his mind.

“I think Aleks is too calculating, too careful, and too psychopathic to let someone sneak up and cut his throat. It’s too easy.

He was never that careless or vulnerable around me, and I was as harmless as a mouse to him. ”

“Good.”

“So, what are you thinking, boss?” Bishop asked. “You think our Yovenko used the Alexie identity to fake his death? Maybe try and toss us off his trail? Stop us from looking for him, because we’re a bunch of dumb city criminals who don’t know how to investigate anything right?”

“Maybe. Having an innocent man killed to fake his own death wouldn’t shock me one bit.

And if Yovenko is trying to fake his death, it means he knows someone is looking for him.

Obviously, he’ll have found out by now that the Farm was raided and destroyed, and the participants went underground.

But he has no way of knowing for sure that Malori is alive and looking for his children. ”

Malori nodded slowly. “You’re right. The only people who know any of us captives are alive either work for you, or for the importer out West who got his alpha sister back. And the other captives are all still safe, right?”

“Correct. This Yovenko is connected, so if he’s heard my name in relation to the Farm raid, he may assume he’s in danger.

It’s possible Marta and her crew are tying up loose ends, and he’s scared of her, and maybe he wants Marta to think he’s dead.

He might also assume I’m after him as revenge for Kensley.

” King didn’t want to be underestimated, or to underestimate his enemy.

“I’m going to assume he knows about you, Mal, and that he’s trying to fake his death.

At least, until Bishop can prove otherwise. ”

Bishop took the hint and excused himself from the table.

“You think Aleks faked his death, so he could go underground with my son?” Malori asked.

“There’s a good chance, yes. But that doesn’t help us find your son, so we are not relenting on our search for everyone connected to the Farm. Or to Marta’s ring. If she’s into selling adults, she might also be into selling infants.”

“Right.” Malori leaned back in his chair and deflated on a long sigh. “Wow. After so many months of nothing, this is a fuck-ton at once.”

“In my experience, that’s how investigations go. A lot of tedium, followed by endless action. Things might very well begin speeding up.”

“Or this could be a dead end.”

“Precisely.” It was midweek, so the various departments Bishop needed to call should be open.

King sent a quick email response to Ziggy, thanking him for the info, summarizing his own thoughts, and asking for additional support in figuring out which “Yovani Alexie” had been killed in Oklahoma: their Yovenko or an innocent man.

King sent Kensley to rest, while he and Malori cleaned up from breakfast. Malori was still unsure about how to stack the dishwasher well, after never having used one before living here, and King wasn’t the best at it himself.

He’d been used to delivery and prepared meals, or the occasional chance to dine out when it felt safe.

But the domesticity of putting plates in rows, scraping out the batter bowl, and wiping down the kitchen table was… wonderful.

Almost familiar, as if they’d lived this kind of life before.

Once the kitchen sparkled, King topped off his coffee mug and turned.

Malori stood by the large window and its view of the city’s east side.

The sky was clear enough to give them a view all the way to the harbor and its navy-blue waters.

King approached from a wide angle so he didn’t startle Malori.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Malori reached out and looped his arms around King’s waist, leaning in with a soft sigh. King draped his free arm over Malori’s shoulders. “I’m angry again. I mean, I never stop being angry over my kids, but I’ve been able to forget that anger for a little while. Thanks to you.”

“Even after we get your kids back, the anger you feel over them being taken is never going to fully go away. You lost so much time with them. Wounds like that never heal. But I’m glad I could help it fade for a little while.”

“You did.” Malori tensed. “Do you think Bishop approves?”

“Of what? You being angry?”

“No, dummy, us being together.”

“Of course, he does. He welcomed you to the family, Mal. He’s fully invested in recovering your kids. Why wouldn’t he approve of us finding something that makes us both happy?”

“I don’t want him to think of me as a distraction for you. From your job and responsibilities.”

King put his mug on the window ledge, then turned Malori so they were facing each other, both his hands on Malori’s shoulders. Malori’s eyes were uncertain but his posture remained stoic. “You are one of my responsibilities. One I take extremely seriously, and Bishop knows that.”

Malori squared his shoulders and tilted his chin up. “So, was last night you tending to your responsibility?”

“Absolutely.” King smiled. “And I plan on tending to him as frequently as he allows.” He raised his right hand and cupped Malori’s cheek. “He should also feel free to tend to me right back.”

“Yeah?” Malori licked his lips. “How long do you think it will take Bishop to get any information?”

“Depends on how many departments put him on hold. What have you got in mind?”

Malori pressed his cheek into King’s hand, turned his head and licked the palm. “I want to thank you for this morning.”

King leaned down and pressed his nose to Malori’s, loving the way Malori’s hot breath gusted across his mouth. Very aware of how much he loved kissing Malori’s beautiful lips. “We definitely have time for that, angel. Definitely.”