Mob Justice
Page 26
Was this man saying what he thought he was saying?
“As in what?”
“Too much alcohol, a coat closet, and people gossiping about it for weeks afterward—that kind of incident. Need I go more into detail?”
“No, I think I can patch that together in my own head without anyone giving me clues.”
The man leaned back in his chair.
“It was wild.”
“Anything else?” he asked. “Other than that?”
He thought about it.
“Honestly, that’s all I know. Libby was pretty, and she wasn’t afraid to use that. She used her sexuality to get clients, and she wasn’t ashamed of it. You could tell. She had that way about her that men just liked her.”
Greyson got that.
Emma had that lure, but she didn’t use it to get ahead. She was simply beautiful.
And he was simply lucky.
“Libby used what the good Lord gave her—or that’s what she told me. Was everything that people said about her true? I have no idea. All I know was I was sticking to her like glue to do my job.”
Greyson slid the check toward him.
“That’s all we needed. Now, let’s talk investments. I want to make sure my granddaughter has a nice little nest egg when she’s out of college. Same for my son. How can I make this grow?”
The man took the check, and they got down to business.
The money business.
* * * G R E Y S O N C R O F T * * *
Dimitri drove them to the home owned by the detective who worked her mother’s case all those years ago.
“What do we know about him?” he asked, trying not to focus on the scent of her perfume as they were side by side in the front seat.
“That he was forty at the time of the crime, his partner is long since dead, and he’s retired. That’s all I could find out. If I dug too much, it would be suspicious,” she stated.
He got that.
Some things required a light-handed search instead of a full-on treasure hunt.
“Do you do this often?” she asked.
“Help investigate? Or drive gorgeous women around?”
She laughed.
“Investigate.”
“I’m not an investigator,” he admitted. “My job is to solely back up my partner, so that’s what I do. I’m glad you’re a cop. You’ll have to run this one. While good at evading the law, I’m not really adept at working within the legal parameters—if you know what I mean.”
She laughed.
Good to know.
“So it’ll have to be good cop and no cop. I won’t pass as one.”
She snickered.
“Oh, because I was going to let you hold my badge and play cop.”
He grinned.
“Prickly. I like it.”
She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear and could feel his eyes on her, despite the fact that he was supposed to be driving the vehicle.
It made it hard to breathe.
“Hopefully, he can tell us why this case stalled or tell us why it’s never been solved?”
“I hope so, Poppy. I hope that you get the answers you need to have peace.”
“I just hope I don’t die.”
It sat there between them.
Dimitri knew he couldn’t let her worry about that. His job wasn’t as a cop, but it was as someone who did protect people for a living.
He was damn good at his job.
So, Dimitri took her hand in his and held it. He wanted to reassure her.
“I’ll keep you safe. This is what I do for a living. Put your faith in that, okay?”
What choice did she have?
Poppy wanted to discuss anything but that.
“What are we doing tonight? If the plans call for something fancy, I have to head to my place. I only brought one dress.”
“I can take you there if you need something from your home. As for fancy, not particularly. I have something fun planned, but first, we have to get through today.”
Yeah, she was aware.
It brought up one more question.
“Should you be playing bodyguard? You can’t move your arm too much.”
He laughed.
“I’m driving with it. That constitutes using in, Detective Wayne. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I’m just concerned.”
Yes, he could tell.
Instead of arguing, Dimitri kissed her knuckles.
“And it’s appreciated. I’ve been working on getting it to a point where I can function without pain.”
“Does it hurt?” she asked. Poppy appreciated that he was out with her when he’d only been shot a little over a week ago.
“I can get it this high without pain. I’ll be good. I can shoot with my other hand if need be.”
“Jesus. I hope there are no guns involved.”
He laughed.
“Focus on something else and let me do the security thing. This is my job.”
Poppy was trying not to think about how he’d just kissed her fingers. It gave her that warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach, but he was still holding her hand.
It was intimate.
“You could tell me about tonight. I’m curious by nature,” Poppy admitted.
Yes, he could see that.
Emma was just like that.
And Chris.
Greyson too.
It was a cop trait.
“To answer you, I was planning for some dinner in the penthouse, but nothing fancy. I like to relax when I’m not on duty. Did I misstep?”
“No, I just assumed.”
“Unfortunately, last night was bad.”
She looked over.
“I see.”
“Stop. I meant that Marie was right. You’re already in the news.”
That had her attention.
“What?”
“I take it you don’t watch the cheesy news stories that talk shit about us.”
“Uh, no. I like my news in the form of legitimate sources. I like reality.”
“Then don’t search my name.”
She stared at him.
Then her phone on her lap.
Then him again.
“I think you know what this means. Now I have to search it.”
He laughed and set her hand free.
This was part of the test. If she was going to be part of him, she’d have to hold up under that scrutiny. She’d have to be tough enough not to give a damn about what they said about her or him. They talked a lot of smack about their family.
She searched his name and pulled up the first link.
“Oh, Jesus Christ,” she mumbled.
“Uh huh. Enjoy,” he stated.
Somehow, she doubted that she would.
Poppy read the article.
‘The most eligible, criminal bachelor in the city has been spotted cozying up to a mystery woman. Dimitri Gideon, strong arm for Greyson Croft, the mob boss, was seen in his bar locking lips with some beauty. His criminal, vile ways seem to be nothing to this woman, as she sits in his lap and ignores that he’s dangerous, soulless, and a killer. It makes us wonder what kind of woman she is beneath the pretty face.’
“Oh, come on.”
She closed the link.
“Well, that’s shitty.”
He didn’t say anything.
“I can’t believe this. What is wrong with people? How do they make up shit like this and malign people’s lives?”
His heart skipped.
“I’m sorry they posted that. It’s why I thought dinner inside was a better option. I don’t want you to be targeted.”
“I’m sick over this.”
He knew she would be.
He was a criminal.
“I can leave you alone. If it’s too much for you to carry, I get it. It’s why I don’t date.”
She looked over.
“What?”
“You’re a cop. I get it. I should have h
ad our drink in the back room. I apologize.”
He got chilly.
Poppy could almost feel it.
“Dimitri, I’m not mad about being seen with you. Are you out of your mind?”
He glanced over.
“Then what?”
“They called you vile, soulless, and horrible things. I’m mad about that. I don’t care if they tell the world I was kissing you. I know you’re not any of that.”
He laughed.
“I’m all of that.”
“Hardly. Stop pretending.”
Oh, he only wished, but clearly, the woman needed to see what he was really like. She was wearing rose-colored glasses and didn’t see the truth.
He was dangerous.
Without warning, Dimitri pulled over, slammed the car into park, and grabbed her by the blazer. Staring deep into her eyes, he saw no fear.
“Trust me, Detective, I am all of those things. I am a killer.”
She blinked.
“Never.”
His found her mouth, and he kissed her with everything he had. Dimitri dropped the veneer of gentlemanly ways and gave her a little look at who he really was.
Wicked.
A thief.
Dangerous.
He left nothing standing in his wake of that kiss, and he didn’t give her a chance to control it. This moment was all his.
Dimitri burned it to the ground.
When she moaned, he set her free, and finally, her eyes flickered open.
“Wow. You are the ninth-grade, tongue-wrestling champion. We need to head to my place, so I can get you my ribbon. You won.”
He laughed.
That was NOT what he was expecting.
“I don’t know what to do about you, Miss Wayne. I’m confused as hell.”
“Well, I’m just overheated. That should be illegal.”
“What?”
“You kissing people should be illegal. I think you melted part of my brain.”
He laughed.
“That’s what I’m talking about. I thought you’d be upset. I’m a criminal.”
“Ehhh…it’s perspective,” she said, licking her bottom lip. “You’ve killed, but so have I. You’ve done questionable things, but so have I. I just wear a badge. I lie to criminals, I manipulate the situation, and I twist it around to trip them up. I’ve put lots of people in jail. I’m sure some were likely not as guilty as I made them out to be. My job is to get a confession and find a killer.”
His heart skipped.
“It doesn’t bother you?” he asked. “I need this honesty.”
She rolled down her window and two people were passing by the vehicle.
“I just kissed Dimitri Gideon.”
He laughed.
“With tongue.”
The two older women looked horrified.
“I think he played with my tonsils too.”
He laughed even more.
Poppy rolled up the window.
“Next question?”
“You don’t have tonsils.”
“I know. I had them out as a kid. More proof that my statement was not a lie. To know that means you tried to play with them. Oh my God! I get it now. That’s tonsil hockey!”
He touched her face with his hand.
“Tonight, we’ll have some time alone to talk and get to know each other. Before, I have a surprise for you.”
“What?” she asked, staring into his eyes.
“A massage.”
She smiled.
“Are you giving it, or am I?”
It caught him off guard.
“Your mind goes right to the gutter. I find that oddly sexy in a woman. Who knew?”
He did.
God!
Dimitri knew she was perfect for him. That little kiss of humor made his day, and it kept him on his toes. He liked that, a lot.
She winked.
“Whew.”
He set her free and pulled back onto the road. His lips tasted like her and he was having a difficult time thinking straight.
“Let’s get this interview done. I’m distracted.”
Yeah, so was she.
When his phone chimed, Dimitri hit the navigational screen to connect the call.
It was Emma.
“Hey, Dimitri.”
“Are you okay? Do you need me, Emma? I can be there quickly,” he said.
Poppy watched the switch being flipped. He’d gone from sweet, gentle, and focused on her to focused on Emma. It was interesting to watch.
“I’m good, but Chris wants to know something.”
“What?”
“Knock knock.”
He didn’t know where this was heading.
“Who’s there?” he asked.
“Theodore.”
He was really confused.
Poppy helped him.
“Theodore who?” she asked.
“Theodore wasn’t open, can we kick it in?” Chris said, laughing his ass off.
Poppy began laughing.
Emma too.
Dimitri stared at the man’s face on the screen as he shook his head.
“Why Emma chooses you to be her security is beyond me. She’s insane. I could get her someone who won’t be ridiculous every day.”
Chris laughed.
“You have your best friend, and I have mine.”
That was true.
Poppy watched the interaction. There was gossip about them, and this was contrary to what she’d heard. They were being funny and normal people.
“Besides, Commie, she thinks I’m sexy.”
Dimitri laughed.
It appeared that the man was in the mood to poke him. Well, he could play that game. As of late, he was letting Chris set the pace. They hadn’t talked about Natasha yet, but one day, they’d have to do it.
“Does she now, Christopher?” he asked. “Funny, I’ve been in a tub naked with her. Have you?”
Chris mumbled something.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear your answer.”
“I said I hate you.”
Emma laughed.
“What do you need, Emma? I hope it wasn’t to let him bother me.”
“Actually, I was checking in. I called Greyson, but he’s not answering his phone. Do you know where he is? Not that I don’t trust him, but he and Heath…”
Oh, he got it.
Heath was a menace.
He liked him.
A LOT.
“Poppy, will you pick up my phone and open it?”
She did what he asked, and he placed his finger on it. Then it opened.
“Click on that app.”
She did.
“Type in Greyson.”
She did that, too, and his location came up.
“Where is he?” Emma asked.
She read it off.
“He’s still at the location. He likely turned his ringer off. Do you need something?”
“I’m checking in. We have a second interview. Talking to the Bauers has led us to one more lead, and you know I don’t like to leave any stone unturned.”
He was aware.
“Are you sure you’re up for it, moya malen'kaya lyubov'?” he asked.
Poppy listened.
Did he just call her his little love?
“Yeah, Dimitri, I’m good. YA lyublyu tebya. Bud'te v bezopasnosti, brat moy.”
Poppy felt like she was intruding on something so very personal. Clearly, by her calling him her brother, they were close.
“We’ll be safe. Where are you headed?” he asked.
Emma laughed.
“Come on, Dad. I have a trustworthy date.”
He snorted.
“Hardly.”
Dimitri didn’t like her out and about without a guard. Yes, Chris was there, but he was only one person, and they didn’t know what was going to happen with Babylon dead.
It was anyone’s game.
“Tell me, Emma, or I call your husband, leave som
e crazed message, and he goes caveman on you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
He picked up his phone.
“Try me, moya sestra.”
She smiled whenever he called her ‘his sister’. It made her want to behave.
“I’m going to ‘Trixie’s Boudoir’.”
“Uh, Em, that’s a sex shop.”
She laughed maniacally.
“My husband gave me the easy interview again, and now Chris and I are going to go in and find out if the people who work there have ever seen Libby Raye coming and going. Apparently, she liked it rough and wild.”
He laughed.
“Well, that should be interesting.”
Chris appeared on the screen again.
“Hey, I feel like I’m coming down with the sniffles. Would you like to trade?”
Dimitri laughed.
“Pass. You get Emma in the sex shop.”
Chris grinned and couldn’t help but snicker.
“What?” Dimitri asked. It was clear that he was missing something.
“Say that again and think about it,” Chris teased.
He did.
Then Dimitri stared at him—much like a big brother would when he’d found out something that didn’t sit right with him.
“Behave or I will hurt you.”
Chris laughed.
Neither of them believed that was ever going to happen. Not with Emma, and certainly, not with Chris.
The behaving part, or the hurting part.
“Well, thanks for the laughs,” Dimitri stated, ready to hang up.
“Wait,” Emma stated.
“Yes, moya sestra?” he asked.
“Chris and I were wondering if you and the detective would like to meet us for lunch. That’s why I was calling Greyson—not to tell him about the sex shop. You know how Chris gets.”
“Oh, I know.”
Chris kept driving.
“Do you have time to sit down for a family meal?” she asked. “You know how important that is for a family to connect.”
Dimitri knew what she was asking. It wasn’t about connecting as a family. Emma wanted to be able to check out the woman beside him to make sure she would suit him.
It made him love her even more.
“I would love to meet you for lunch. Since she’s my hostage, she’s coming too.”
Poppy laughed.
“Yay!”
“Where?” Dimitri asked. “Aquarius? The back room?”
Emma had news for him.
“We can’t go there. It seems someone was making out in a bar last night, and people are asking us who the mystery woman is.”