When the phone rings, the Chicago number has me smiling wide. I prop my feet comfortably on the desk, pick up the corded phone, and answer with authority. “Sheriff’s office.”
“Congratulations, Sheriff Zamparelli,” Smoke says.
“Sheriff Z. to everyone here.”
Smoke huffs a laugh. “Thank God you won. Otherwise, I’d owe Enzo a fuck-ton of money. He demanded a recount.”
“I won by a fucking landslide.” Thanks to Wade’s endorsement. “Enzo definitely owes you.”
“It’s a little more complicated than that. Turns out, he’ll end up owing you.”
I hang my head. “Could you not attempt to bribe an officer of the law his first day on the job?”
“More like tying up a loose end.” He pauses. “Derrick.”
Sparrow Assisted Living. A sweet spot for money laundering. The D’Angelo’s get their money washed while the residents get all the care they need. And it gives Ivy a job she loves while doing it all on her terms.
Her terms means she works with the residents while Derrick manages the money—under close D’Angelo supervision, of course. Instead of reporting to Derrick, they both report to Smoke. Which means Ivy runs her show the way she wants.
It also means that she manages her own schedule and the kids come with the territory. What can I say? Our little ones are an insane hit with the staff and residents alike, and with number three baking in her belly, her office expansion is already underway.
The down side? This deal keeps the assisted living center umbrellaed beneath D’Angelo Holdings—which is Enzo’s dirty little swim lane. Fingers crossed he won’t want to conduct interrogations on site, though if push came to shove, we do have some open rooms by the deaf residents. “What does he have in mind?” I ask.
“He sold it.”
As zen as I try to be under the circumstances, I lose my shit. “We had a fucking deal, Smoke. One call from me, and Officer Ross Friendly will cite you with everything from jaywalking to speeding. You know, indecent exposure is a 72-hour hold that makes you real popular in the cell.”
“For fuck’s sake, Leo, calm down. It’s a gift. All the same terms, but ix-nay on our take. He needed a legitimate non-profit and the new owner had an interest.”
I sit up in my chair, fingers steepled to my chin. “I’m listening.”
“Trinity is now calling the shots.”
“Yes!” I hush with the receiver smothered to my chest. It’s a big commitment for Trinity. It means she’s feeling confident and might brave more trips out here. I speak back to the receiver. “My wife will be ecstatic. Hell, we’re all ecstatic.” I check my watch. It’s getting late. “Are you still flying down tonight?”
“Yes, but I’ll be returning to Chicago sooner than expected. Enzo and I have a lead on our father’s disappearance.”
A lead? “If you need anything. Access to our databases. Or if you need to delay coming out—”
“No,” he insists. With Ivy in her second trimester, nothing could keep Smoke from all the big appointments. Tomorrow, we find out the baby’s sex. Considering Smoke has delivered both my kids and wants to be here for the third, sharing these beautiful milestones with him has only brought us closer.
That and I hear the D’Angelo brother betting pool is somewhere in the six figures, and Smoke has his money on a girl.
“We can’t wait to see you. I hope you brought your buffet pants. She and Aunt Grace have been busy baking.”
A long silence edges on, and I wonder if I lost him. Then, he says, “I envy you.” His words are as full of heartfelt sincerity as they are heaviness. As if what I have is somehow out of his reach.
Smoke gave up his entire world to care for Trinity and chase down the mystery of what happened to his father. Why can’t some of my good fortune rub off on him? I’m not asking for much. Just a miracle…Smoke finding happiness, peace, and love.
“The kids can’t wait to see you. And spoiler alert, Ivy, Brooke, and Aunt Grace might have a friend joining us all for dinner tomorrow night.”
“A friend? As in a date?” His grumble is priceless. “Not again.”
“Don’t worry. Hunter and I have calibrated our watches. At exactly twenty minutes into the meal, there will be an emergency and we will rush you out.”
“Appendectomy?”
“We feel a brutal case of the runs would be safer. She’ll probably be disgusted and repulsed by you, and you’ll be thoroughly embarrassed.”
“Can’t wait,” he smirks.
I pause and broach the subject cautiously. “She’s actually very nice. The two of you might hit it off.”
Silence.
“I didn’t forget the life you lead,” I tell him honestly. “But a wise man once told me baby steps. One night won’t kill you.”
He puffs out a breath. “Famous last words.” There’s a brief silence, but I can tell, he’s thinking. “I’ll do my twenty minutes. Nothing more.”
“Just tossing you a life preserver.”
“Leo, you and I both know no matter who you set me up with, it won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“For starters, I prefer my life preserver be in Chicago. A woman who understands the world I live in. Someone who needs no explanations and keeps secrets like a vault. And while you’re making Christmas list notes, I’d love a virgin sacrifice with the body of Aphrodite and the heart of a mafia queen.”
“If Aunt Grace was listening, she’d recommend a vision board.”
“And if Enzo was listening, he’d recommend a hooker. I’ll do the date for twenty-minutes, but I’m not getting my palm read and I’m not manifesting a woman.”
A knock sounds at my door. “Listen, Smoke, I’d love to keep helping you conjure a virginal fem-bot mob queen, but I’ve got a reporter waiting.”
“Reporter?”
The trace amounts of concern in his tone make me chuckle. “This isn’t Chicago. The reporter in question is a seven-year-old student from Brooke’s class.” The young girl and her mother smile at me through the glass door. “Good news, Smoke. The reporter’s mother is just your type,” I tease.
That has him laughing. “Her mother is a virgin?”
“She’s a defense attorney with the balls of a mob boss. With her clientele, keeping secrets is all in a day’s work.”
“Why does a long-distance relationship with a member of the court sound like hell in the making? And for the record, at no time did I request balls on a woman. Keep looking, sheriff.”
“Will do. Safe travels. See you soon, Smoke.” I disconnect the call and wave them in.
The little girl rushes up to me with her hand fully extended. “Hi, I’m Sarah,” she says, her wide smile revealing a tooth missing. “School reporter,” she announces proudly.
I smile back and shake her hand. “Sheriff Z., at your service.”
Thank you for reading SINS of the Syndicate! I hope you love Leo and Ivy as much as I do.
Ready for a secret chapter? Grab it now!
And get ready for Smoke’s Story! SINS: The Debt
How about something a little Ruthless?
Power plays are hard.
Trying to one up the stranger who banged me senseless last night?
Definitely harder.
"Tons of chemistry and passion ... Highly addictive" ~Goodreads Reviewer
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