Page 121 of Thorns of Silence

His lips curved into a sarcastic smile. “Look at you being all considerate after avoiding me for weeks.”

“I’ve been busy.” I adjusted my cufflinks. “As you well know, considering it was you who slipped Marchetti the tip.”

“Did I?”

On the one hand, I wanted nothing more than to reach for my gun and shoot the motherfucker for playing stupid mind games. On the other, I just wanted to get to Phoenix and get the fuck out of here. Three years was a long time to wait for someone, and my patience was running thin. I supposed the lack of sex might have had something to do with it too.

I glared at him. “Stop wasting my time.”

“Ah, your generation. Always so eager. Too quick to jump to conclusions.”

I let out a sardonic breath. “Maybe it’s you and your generation that’s the problem.”

Lykos had about two decades, maybe three, on me. He worked closely with Marchetti, and it was probably the reason he let him know he’d spotted Phoenix.

“Let’s cut the bullshit,” I drawled. “I’m here for Phoenix Romero. You said you saw her, and I want to know where. Knowing how you operate, you probably have her location narrowed down.”

He gave me an amused look. “Seems you have me figured out.”

God, give me patience,I chanted in my head. Shooting the man would be frowned upon. And anyhow, I didn’t need the hassle. I just needed my dandelion back in my life.

“Are you going to help or not?” I snapped.

He leaned back in his seat. “Of course I will. All you had to do was ask.”

This motherfucking fuck.

“Well, I’m asking. Give me her address and I’ll be on my way.”

Knowing Lykos’s character, he’d keep the tail on me until I was off his territory, which I was happy to oblige the moment I had Phoenix.

“Why such an interest in Phoenix Romero?” he drawled, sipping his damn coffee. I had yet to touch mine. I didn’t trust the Greek mobster not to have it poisoned. “Although I must admit, the young woman is impressive.” I gritted my teeth, the wordminebubbling in my throat, ready to erupt. “And very beautiful,” he added, unhelpfully.

“She’s my wife.”

His eyebrows met his hairline. “She’s not married.”

“Yet. It’s a matter of formalities.”

He watched my face and let out a scoff. “Does she know that?”

“She will, very soon. So stop buzzing around her, or I’ll put you six feet under. You catch my drift?”

Lykos laughed, but I was dead serious. “My, my, my, Dante Leone. Don’t you know obsessions like that can be maddening. Especially when unrequited.”

I didn’t bother dignifying his taunt with a response. “Just tell me where she is.”

“That’s easy. My place.” I lunged across the table, sending coffee flying around us, and we found ourselves face-to-face, his gun pointed at my forehead. “Don’t be foolish, Leone, or I’ll spill your brains right here and now.”

“Kill me and you’ll have the entire Omertà after you. Phoenix is one of our own, and we’ll keep coming. Wouldn’t you like that?”

It didn’t seem to draw the reaction I’d hoped for. No concern, just confidence.

“Let them come,” he mused.

“Did you touch her?” I straightened up and buttoned my jacket, ignoring the gun still pointed at me.

“No, and you’ll be pleased to know she hasn’t made contact with any other locals. She and her daughter have kept mostly to themselves.”