Part 11 (1/2)

”You've hurt her like no one ever has had a chance to before.”

Jeremy put the rag down, fury ripping through him when he stood to face her brother. ”I'm not a f.u.c.king criminal, regardless of what the FBI told her. She's choosing to walk away, not me. So how do you figure I I hurt hurt her her?”

”Because you let her fall for you without telling her the truth. Since you do do have a criminal record and can't level with her, she's never going to change her mind and stay even if she's hurting. That's why I need to know you won't come after her once this is over.” have a criminal record and can't level with her, she's never going to change her mind and stay even if she's hurting. That's why I need to know you won't come after her once this is over.”

Jeremy wondered if Vinny was guessing or reading his mind, because, h.e.l.l yes, he'd intended to go after her as soon as he could. Once he found out what Starface, Ziggy Gambino, and the FBI were after.

And once he determined it had nothing to do with the DeMitris as CeCe proclaimed. Because he believed her.

And he loved her. He just hadn't realized that until he watched her walk away. How could anyone expect him not to go after the woman he loved?

He'd take on the entire DeMitri organization to find CeCe and get her back.

Vinny sighed and shook his head. ”You can't do this to her. She'll never settle down with someone she thinks is hiding anything from her and our father won't clear you as acceptable for her. If you really care about CeCe, you won't make me and my brothers ensure you stay away.”

”Don't threaten me.” Jeremy turned his back on Vinny to dismiss him and hoisted the base up on its side.

A plastic box smaller than a matchbook fell out and landed between his feet.

”That wasn't a threat, just notification,” the attorney brother clarified.

Jeremy's phone rang. He ignored Vinny and pushed the base back down flat. Then he flipped the phone open and bent over to pick up the plastic case.

”Got some news,” Blade reported before Jeremy could say h.e.l.lo.

Jeremy's heart skipped a beat at what he held in his hand-a plastic case covering what appeared to be a photo memory card.

”What?” he finally said to Blade and glanced at Vinny, whose eyes were locked on the plastic case in his hand.

”Starface is after a photo card with pictures and a video of a meeting between the heads of two major families. One out of Russia and one from Chicago.”

”What was the meeting about?” Jeremy kept his voice down but Vinny was tuned in to every word.

”If my source isn't off the mark, and he's a good one, two powerful families are teaming up to wipe out the upper to middle operations in North America so they can split the continent.”

”No way.” Jeremy stared at the card in his hand. His heart started thumping at the realization of what this meant. ”Thanks. I'll call you back.” He flipped the phone shut and started for CeCe's house only to have Vinny step in his path.

”We don't have time to screw around,” Jeremy said. ”Go get CeCe. I think the FBI turned her loose as bait.”

Vinny cursed and spun around, moving fast for a wide-body man.

Jeremy ran inside his house to the computer in his office and shoved the card into a slot. He punched up the keys and played fifteen seconds of the video. Enough to realize Blade's sources were dead on the mark.

The two families teaming up had the money and power to wipe out anyone who wouldn't immediately fall into line behind them.

The Chicago family was the one who had thrown Ziggy Gambino's operation to the feds. Ziggy would pay anything, and kill anyone, for this card that he could use to screw over the Chicago group.

Either way, the end result would be a mob war if the card went anywhere but to the FBI.

”Sunn!” Vinny yelled from the kitchen, then his feet pounded toward him.

Jeremy ejected the card and had it back in the plastic case in his pocket by the time he turned to CeCe's brother.

Vinny's natural deep olive skin tone had paled three shades lighter. He heaved a breath from running. ”She's gone.”

Jeremy's phone rang. CeCe's number popped up on the caller ID. He lifted his finger to his lips for Vinny to stay quiet then answered. ”Sunn.”

”Everything made sense when my tracker found out you were involved,” Starface said. ”Can't really blame Dorvan for not antic.i.p.ating you, but my new guy took the extra time to find out who had helped your girl here last night at her house. Now it all makes sense. Sam the Man was taking the card to you so who are you dealing with?”

Jeremy's whole body clenched at the reference to CeCe. He'd play along since Starface a.s.sumed he was involved. He slid into his criminal persona, hoping for his best performance yet since CeCe's life depended on it.

Seven.

”When have you ever gotten information for free?” Jeremy countered to Starface in a cool voice that said more than words. His hands clutching the cell phone were damp, though. He'd faced crazed killers in prison, whacked-out druggies in a bust, and terrorists with automatic weapons.

Nothing had ever scared him the way he feared for CeCe's life right now.

”Always a first time,” Starface crooned, chuckling. ”I've got something you want and you have my merchandise.”

Jeremy had one choice. ”Where do you want to meet?”

”Be in Buckhead by five, have your phone handy, and don't screw with me or you'll get her back in pieces.” The phone line died with a sudden click.

”I'm calling the FBI.” Vinny reached for his cell phone.

”Wait!”

Vinny closed the phone. ”I'm listening.”

Jeremy nodded, thankful Vinny understood they were both after the same thing. Getting CeCe back alive. ”She's only in this spot because the FBI used her so I don't trust them not to put her in further danger.”

”You got an idea?” Vinny's professional attorney veneer faded away, leaving the hardened eyes of a brother willing to do whatever it took to protect his sister.

That was nothing compared to what Jeremy would do. He nodded. ”I'm going to make a swap with Starface for the card.”

Vinny's eyes narrowed in thought for a moment before his shoulders settled with resignation. ”My skills are in the courtroom, not in the field. I don't want to take any chances with CeCe's life. I'll call in backup,” he said, clearly indicating his family in Ontario.

”No time. We have four hours. That's it. I am am trained in the field so we do this my way.” Jeremy waited for an argument. trained in the field so we do this my way.” Jeremy waited for an argument.

If he didn't know better he'd swear the new s.h.i.+ft in Vinny's eyes was respect, and just maybe a little trust. That would be funny if not for the fact that what Jeremy had in mind was going to prove to CeCe he was as much a felon as Starface.

And if that animal touched her, Jeremy would kill Starface with his own hands.

Vinny spoke in his attorney voice again, as if advising a client. ”You do realize if the FBI finds out you gave the memory card to Starface, you'll fry, and I can't help you.”

”Already figured all of that out. All I need you to do is your part while I do mine.” Jeremy expected Vinny to want to come with him, but her brother would only get in his way.