“So, you don’t know what he suspects or if he knows I’m looking into him?”
“No, I don’t, but you know what this means. You should back off. This is going to get us both killed.”
Back off? Never!
I don’t care if Abello has my name or suspects what I’m up to. I’m not going to stop doing what I know is right. I just need that information to get Abello out of the picture for good. I chew on my thumbnail and pace in front of him. “Do you think you can still get into the office?”
“What? Didn’t you hear what I just said? He has your fucking name!”
“And I know what I’m doing, Paul. I’m not giving this up.”
He grunts and curses under his breath. “You’re fucking crazy, lady.”
He has no idea.
I laugh. “Maybe I am. So, can you try again?”
A reluctant sigh seeps from his lips. “Maybe. Dom is gone next week and will be taking a lot of the men with him.”
My ears perk up and I stop pacing. “Gone? Gone where?”
“Not sure. All I know is something about going to an important meeting.”
An important meeting can only mean one thing—something big is coming. Abello controls New Orleans and the surrounding areas completely, and if he’s at a meeting, odds are it’s to direct his lackeys in some sadistic plot or organize something big.
“Okay, see what you can find out about his trip and get into that office. I really need this, Paul.”
He stands up to his full height and growls lowly. I’m sure it’s meant to be intimidating, but I don’t back down from him.
“You need this? What about me, Danika? I’m putting my ass on the line here, and he already knows something is going on. He’s probably already on the lookout for a snitch.”
“I know you are, Paul. But you are also doing it for yourself and you know it. You need Abello gone before you will ever be able to walk away, so don’t pretend this is altruistic. Just be careful and get me the info as soon as possible. The sooner this is over, the better it is for both of us.”
His glare bores into me, but I don’t look away. He huffs and reaches into his pocket to pull out a cigarette box. “I’ll see what I can do,” he mumbles as he ambles away from me, lighting up a fresh stick as he goes.
A week. I just need to wait a week and I should have what I need…from Paul, at least.
“Wow, it’s HUGE!”
Dani’s jaw hangs open and she turns in a circle to take in all of Minute Maid Park. The drive to Houston took over five hours, but it didn’t seem that long in the back of the limo. We made good use of the time. When Dani told me she’d never been to a MLB game, I couldn’t resist, even with the distance.
“It is, but there are actually parks that are a lot bigger. This only holds about forty-two thousand. Dodger Stadium holds over fifty-six thousand.”
She turns to me and grins. “This is awesome. Thanks so much for bringing me.”
“Anytime,” I reply with a wink. “Let’s get to our seats before the first pitch.” She follows me over to the handicapped seating area behind and just to the left of home plate and settles into her chair.
I haven’t been to a major league game in probably five years. I forgot how much I enjoyed the energy of the crowd. Baseball had been my mother’s response to my discontent with not being allowed to box anymore after my dad died. And while I never loved it the way I did boxing, there’s a familiar feeling of euphoria from being in the stadium.
Dani’s knee bounces up and down as she looks around the park and the field. The pitcher is on the mound throwing a few pitches to the catcher while the rest of the team is stretching and throwing around a ball for warm-ups. The smell of popcorn and hotdogs is mouth-watering, but all I can think about is how incredible Dani tastes.
The memory of licking my fingers after getting her off in the limo on the way here is crystal clear and I can still taste her on my tongue. My cock twitches in my pants and, for once, I’m thankful I’m sitting down and my inappropriately-timed hard-on isn’t noticeable to the families wandering around the ballpark.
I can’t help it. I can’t get enough of her.
She reaches down and grabs the bag from the gift shop, rifling through it until she finds the Astros hat I bought her. She pulls it down over her long hair and turns to me.
Damn. It’s ridiculous how hot she looks in that.
“How do I look?”
A grin spreads across my face and I reach out and cup her cheek, urging her to lean in closer to me. “Fucking adorable, actually.” I kiss her gently. She smiles against my lips.
She pulls away slightly and offers me a coy smile. “Oh, really? Then maybe I should wear hats more often?”
I take her hand in mine and squeeze it. “That would hardly be fair.”
“Oh, why not?”
“Because I already have a hard time controlling myself around you. If you become any more adorable, I will be in serious fucking trouble.”
She laughs and grins at me. “Good answer.”