by Tee O'Fallon
“Of course.” Dom’s heart rate picked up. Here it comes. There was only one type of assignment the Pyramid would require of him.
“Mr. Smith has selected a sample target. By midnight two days from now, you will take that target out. Mr. Smith must be present for verification purposes. Are these terms acceptable to you?”
Holy shit. “They are.” And just like that, he’d accepted a hit.
“We’ll talk again after your test is completed.” The call ended, and Schneider hooked his phone back onto his belt.
“Here’s your target.” Smith pulled out a folded sheet of paper from his back pants pocket but didn’t hand it to Dom. “He’s nobody. Goes every afternoon like clockwork to a bodega for rolling papers. A junkie with no family and no ties to anyone. He won’t be missed. My cell number is on the bottom. It’s a burner, so don’t bother trying to track it. You call me the day before the hit. You tell me where and when. I’ll be in a Magellan Foods van. You wait until you see that van. Don’t even think of taking this guy out without me present to witness the kill. Got it?”
“I got it.” Dom grabbed the paper from Schneider’s hand and unfolded it. Jimmy Gonzalez. Twenty-five Christopher Street, Greenwich Village. A tourist hub, and ironically one of the most crime-ridden areas in Manhattan.
Smith stepped closer until he could feel the asshole’s hot breath on his face. “You fuck us on this, and I’ll be the one to take you out.”
He shoved Smith backward, and the guy nearly landed on his ass. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“My problem,” he said, doubling his fists and bristling with rage, “is that I don’t trust you. Schneider might, but I don’t. Until six months ago, you were the NYPD’s golden boy, and now I’m supposed to believe you suddenly went bad?”
“Enough.” Schneider stepped between them. “If he passes the test, he’s good to go, and you’ll have to live with that. It’s the boss’s call, and we’re shorthanded for the next gig.”
Fuck. He’d been laying the groundwork for his slow but steady demise into bad-cop land, and Smith was still suspicious his cover wasn’t real. “Look,” he said, holding out his hand, “everyone makes mistakes, and mine was spending too much money. Life got stressful, I started drinking, and now I got a bum knee.” He tapped the side of his leg, the one he’d been limping on. “I can’t go to the doc for painkillers or the department will bench me. So now I need money for pills. Shit happens. End of story.”
“I already know your entire story.” Smith eyed Dom like he wanted to kill him.
“Whatever. I’m outta here. Thanks, Jack.” Dom held out his hand, and the two men shook.
“Remember,” Jack said, still gripping his hand, “I vouched for you. If you’re bullshitting, it’s my ass on the line, too.”
He nodded once, then locked eyes with Smith. Not waiting for the fucker’s permission, he reached for his Glock on the desk and reholstered. He headed for the elevator, and with every step felt Smith’s eyes boring into his back like twin laser sights. Sure enough, when he opened the door and turned around to drag the safety fence closed, Smith was watching him.
As the elevator descended, Dom’s heart pounded, and he let out a deep breath. Step two complete. He’d interviewed with the boss of the Pyramid and lived to tell about it.
For now.
He exited the building and walked down the sidewalk and past the van. He and Gray had plans to meet up later to discuss strategy. Specifically, how to murder a junkie and not get thrown in jail for life.
Chapter Six
Daisy accepted the glass of Cabernet Alex handed her.
“Mmm,” she murmured, taking a sip. “An evening meeting over cocktails and dinner was an excellent idea.”
“Always.” Alex stopped stirring the pot of stew she’d been cooking, then picked up her wineglass and joined Daisy at the granite island to clink glasses.
Daisy inhaled the rich, hearty stew’s aroma and her stomach growled loudly. “That was loud enough for Nicky to hear from the living room.”
They both craned their necks to see Nicky sitting on the floor in front of an open textbook and a spiral notebook on the coffee table, looking totally adorable with his little nose scrunched up.
Alex laughed. “We’ll eat as soon as Gray gets home. He usually helps Nicky with his homework while I cook dinner, but tonight he’s running late.”
“What’s he working on?” Since Gray and Dom were partners, the mention of Gray’s caseload automatically had her mind unwillingly conjuring images of Dom.
Stop it. Don’t go there.
“I have no idea.” Alex went back to stirring the stew pot. “He’s been especially tight-lipped about his job the last few weeks, and he’s been working late a lot. You should have seen him when he asked if it would be okay to postpone our honeymoon for a month or so. I think he was worried I’d throw a fit and divorce him on the spot, when in reality it suited my calendar, too. With my interior design business just starting to take off, its better we postpone our trip anyway.”
Daisy pulled her floral drawings from the cardboard tube she’d brought with her and spread the plans on the counter. “Didn’t you promise Nicky a puppy when you got back from your honeymoon?”
“I did,” she said with obvious reluctance. “He and Gray both finally wore me down. Cassie’s dog, Raven, is about to be mated to another Belgian sheepdog. I’ve seen pictures of what the puppies look like, and even I have to admit they’re the cutest little things. They look like a cross between a black bear cub and a wolf pup.”
“Well I, for one, intend to benefit from this postponement. It gives me time to run my final designs for the Piazza by you.” She strategically slid her wineglass to the corner of the schematic to keep it from rolling closed. “The reopening is this Sunday, and Andrew is such a stickler for details, I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
“Speaking of Andrew,” Alex said, grinning slyly, “that man is seriously into you. Everyone could see that at the wedding. Especially Dom.”
Daisy drew her brows together. “What do you mean, especially Dom?”
Alex paused in the middle of stirring and gave her a duh look. “While you were dancing with Andrew, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Cassie and I were laughing our asses off watching his face turn a deeper shade of pea-green envy with every twirl you guys made around the dance floor. Solid wedding entertainment, I must say.”
“I don’t know why he would be jealous of Andrew or anyone else who’s interested in me.” Although the idea of it gave her a jolt of satisfaction. “He had his chance, and he made a choice. A very blunt, very definitive choice.” She picked up her wineglass and took a long sip, ignoring how her design plan started to roll up again.
“I know what he did.” Alex nodded. “I’m just telling you what I saw, and Cassie was standing right there with me and she agreed. She and Dom were partners for years. I think she can read him pretty well.”
She smoothed out the drawing and replaced her glass on the corner. “I don’t know what he was up to. With that body and that face he could have had any woman in the room.”
“Then why do you think he was jealous of Andrew?” A corner of Alex’s mouth lifted. “If he wasn’t still interested in you, he didn’t have to dance with you at all, let alone steal you away from another man. And yes, I saw him do that, too.”
Daisy shook her head. “I just wish he’d left me alone after the obligatory wedding party dance.”
Alex sat on the other side of the counter. “Did he proposition you?”
“No.” Daisy frowned, suddenly realizing he hadn’t. “Although he did manhandle me in the dressing room.”
“Oh, I could see that.” Alex snorted and took a sip of wine. “But who dragged him in there in the first place? Yeah, you,” she added when Daisy reluctantly pointed to herself.
Daisy set her glass down. “Why are you taking his side?”
Alex shook her head. “I am not taking his side. I
’m just saying that I think there’s another side to Dom that he doesn’t show you. A side he doesn’t show anyone.”
She cocked her head, realizing it was true. “I did get a hint of that the night we spent together, and even at the wedding. It’s like he’s always preoccupied.”
“Gray, too.” Alex sighed. “Men.”
“Men,” she agreed and raised her glass.
After they’d toasted, Alex’s brow creased. “I know things are awkward between you and Dom, but it’s inevitable that your paths will cross more now that Gray and I are married. You’re my best friend, and Dom is Gray’s. You have to find a way to get along. Please,” she said quickly. “For my sake. I don’t want to lose you because of this rift between you two.”
Daisy groaned and shut her eyes for a moment. “I’ll try. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I think,” she added in a sarcastic tone. “Someday maybe I can get to the point where I feel nothing for him. Who knows, maybe one day we can be friends.”
The old phrase, when pigs fly, popped into her head. But Alex was the closest thing to family she had since her parents had died, and she’d do anything for her best friend. Including trying to get past her issues with Dom.
“How’s Gus doing?” Alex asked. “Did they ever catch the guy who hit him?”
“Better, and no they haven’t.” Every time she thought of the driver who’d worked for her at Highland Floral for over five years, she felt a pang of sadness. “I’ve been to see him several times at the hospital. Last time I brought him our favorite food from Domenico’s—eggplant lasagna. He has a broken leg, broken arm, busted ribs, and a concussion.”
Alex gasped. “I had no idea it was that bad.”
Daisy nodded. “The police still have no leads on the driver of the other vehicle.”
“That’s terrible.” Alex set the spoon she’d been stirring with onto the stove. “Who would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know. Whoever they are, I hope they get what’s coming to them.” She still felt horrible about the whole thing. “In the meantime, I have a new driver. Jack was like a dream come true. The day after Gus was hit, in walks Jack like an angel from heaven. Drivers with CDLs don’t come around every day. Even before Gus got hurt, I’d been going through a temp agency for a second driver, but for some reason there’s a scarcity right now.”
“What’s a CDL?” Alex asked.
“Commercial driver’s license, and Jack’s got one. Good thing because with all the large urns we ordered for the Piazza’s potted palms, we needed the bigger truck, which requires a CDL.” She paused to pour them both more wine. “But Jack is basically doing the work of two drivers. Things are so crazy, I’d hire almost anyone right now.”
“At least he worked out for you,” Alex said.
“He’s only been with me for a couple weeks, but he’s more than working out.” Daisy grinned. “He’s helpful, arrives on time, and works late without complaining, even with all the late-day deliveries to the Piazza. And you should see him.”
“Why?” Alex eyes went wide.
“Because he’s hot.” She laughed. “He’s tall, good looking, and built.” As much as she willed it not to, Dom’s naked, powerful body straining over her as they’d made love flashed before her eyes.
“Give me deets.” Alex giggled, then craned her neck to check on Nicky in the living room before turning back to Daisy. “Has he hit on you?”
“No, he’s too polite for that. Although sometimes I wish he would.” She smiled. “It might be good therapy.” To help me get my mind off you know who.
“Agreed.” Alex held up her wineglass. “Here’s to therapy.”
“Absolutely.” Daisy likewise held up her glass. “And my therapy is giving me a ride home tonight.”
“Mercedes in the shop again?”
“You betcha.”
She rolled her eyes in disgust. Maintenance costs for her beloved Mercedes were hellacious. A Ford Focus would have been more economical, but without the European panache.
Alex’s cell phone rang with the theme song to Law and Order SVU. “It’s Gray.” She put the phone to her ear. “Hi, honey. Daisy’s here.” She paused, then looked oddly at Daisy. “Okaaay.” Another pause. “See you soon. Love you.”
After ending the call, Daisy noticed Alex still sported a slightly worried expression. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“Peachy keeno.” Alex smiled a little too brightly, leaving her slightly suspicious. “So how ’bout we take a look at your drawings?”
For the next thirty minutes, they poured over her schematics, with Alex making a few design suggestions Daisy totally agreed with.
“Mommy?” Nicky stood in the kitchen doorway, scratching his head. “I need help with my homework. When is Daddy coming home?”
“Soon, baby.” She glanced nervously at the kitchen wall clock, then hastily got up and pulled dinner plates from the china cabinet. “Soon.”
“Let me give you a hand.” Daisy ruffled her fingers through Nicky’s silky brown hair. “I used to be pretty good in school. Maybe not as good as your mom, but I can probably help you out.”
“Okay.” His eyes brightened as he grabbed her hand and tugged her into the living room.
Alex followed them in a moment later, plunking a shot glass filled with what looked like whiskey onto the coffee table. “Drink this.”
She looked up, puzzled. “Why?”
“You’re gonna need it.”
…
Dom stood at the bottom of the stairs to the three-story brownstone. He leaned over and, while retying his bootlaces, surreptitiously glanced in each direction to see if he was being followed. Satisfied he wasn’t, he limped up the stairs to the front door.
After today, he needed a drink like nobody’s business and one of Alex’s homemade meals to fill his empty stomach. He lifted his hand, about to knock on the door’s glass window, when he caught sight of Daisy. A moment ago he’d been so drained he figured on catching some shuteye on the sofa before dinner, but seeing Daisy fired up every one of his nerve endings like a flare gun lighting the night sky.
She and Nicky sat on the sofa with their heads together over Nicky’s schoolbooks. A long, black skirt covered her legs and a snug red sweater contrasted with her dark hair. Unlike at the wedding when she’d had it pulled up into some fancy hairdo with delicate ringlets framing her face, now her thick mane of chestnut brown hair hung free, like a gracefully flowing waterfall.
She lifted her hand and pulled all that beautiful shiny hair to one side, exposing her neck that Dom knew firsthand smelled and tasted like vanilla and roses. When she threw back her head and laughed at something Nicky said, he found himself smiling. She was a natural with kids.
He snorted and shook his head. If he’d known she was at the apartment, he would have suggested Gray meet him somewhere else for debriefing. He turned to head back to his car when Gray bounded up the steps and somehow managed to unlock the door and shove Dom inside before he had a chance to escape.
Daisy lifted her gaze to his, and his heart rate kicked up a few thousand beats per minute. Oddly, she didn’t seem surprised to see him. In fact, her eyes were a bit glassy, as if she’d already downed a good stiff drink. Or two.
“Smells good, huh?” Gray all but pushed him inside the living room.
“Daddy!” Nicky bounded from the sofa and threw himself at Gray.
Gray draped his arm around the boy’s shoulder and gave him a hug. “Hiya, Nicky. How was school today?”
“It was okay.” He looked up at Gray with adoring eyes. “Got lots of homework, but Aunt Daisy’s been helping me. She’s really, really good at math.”
“I’ll bet she is.” Gray winked at her, then began pulling Nicky with him into the kitchen. “Let’s go see Mommy.” To Dom, he said, “Alex is making her famous beef stew. And did I forget to tell you Daisy was here?” He grinned, then disappeared into the kitchen with Nicky.
<
br /> For a moment Dom couldn’t take his eyes off father and son. Even though the adoption papers weren’t finalized yet, Gray was, in every way that mattered, already Nicky’s father.
Through the kitchen opening, he watched Gray catch Alex up in a tight hug and kiss her deeply. He turned away, feeling like he was intruding, and found Daisy staring at him with an odd, bemused expression on her face.
He cleared his throat. “Didn’t know you’d be here.”
“No worries.” She laughed, although he sensed it was more of a nervous laugh. “Guess we need to try to be civil to each other sooner or later.”
He shrugged, wondering if he could ever just be civil with her. Maybe. Maybe not. Probably not. Fuck no.
“I suppose you’re right.” Even as he said the words, he didn’t believe them. Not for a goddamn second. He noticed the shot glass and a bottle of Glen Fiddich on the coffee table. “You mind?” He nodded to the glass.
“Not at all.” She picked up the glass and held it out to him.
When he took it, their fingers touched and their gazes locked, and for a moment he thought he saw a discernible shadow of awareness in her eyes. As if she, too, still felt that connection with him.
His gaze was drawn to her long, graceful fingers, and he was instantly thrown back in time to that night when she’d dug her nails into his back, her vaginal walls tightening around him as she orgasmed and breathed out his name on a muffled cry. His cock had throbbed and pulsed as, seconds later, he’d come inside her. It had been more than amazing. He didn’t know what exactly it had been. It had just been…more.
He downed the scotch, grateful for the distracting burn in his throat.
Daisy snorted. “Rough day?”
“You have no idea.” He poured another shot and downed it, too, thinking he needed to ease up on the bottle or he’d say something stupid. Like how incredibly hot she looked in that tight skirt and sweater.