Surprise flickered on her face, but she got the message and left me alone. Thank Christ my phone rang at that point, because I didn’t want to sit with my thoughts of Sophia any longer.

“Danny,” I greeted my cousin. “You’re finally returning my call.” I’d left a message for him hours ago. “Was beginning to think I’d have to pay you a visit.”

“Don’t be an asshole, Michael. I was working and didn’t have time for a family catch-up call,” he said, sounding as impressed to be having this phone call as I was.

“This isn’t a family catch-up. This is a have-you-sorted-that-shit-out-yet kinda call.”

He blew out a harsh breath. “Fuck, it’s not as easy as phoning someone and getting you taken off a roster.”

I threw more alcohol down. “You need to make it as easy as that or I will. And, Danny, you don’t want me to get involved in this. You thought I didn’t have much of a conscience back then…I have even less of one now.”

He made a noise and I practically heard his scowl through the phone. “I remember the kid you used to be. What the hell happened to you to turn you into this thug?”

“You know what the fuck happened to me,” I snarled. Fuck. “And now I have nothing to lose, except my freedom, so I’ll do whatever it takes to protect that.”

“Jesus.” He stopped talking for a moment, before saying, “We lost our main witness. Without you, the case isn’t as solid.”

I wanted to give a fuck. I truly did. Mostly because as much as we’d cut ties four years ago, he’d had my back when we were younger. But also because the asshole on trial deserved to be punished. However, I had nothing in me. I’d lost the ability to care about anyone or anything but Storm and Josie somewhere along the line.

In the end, I suggested, “Find a way to cut him loose. I’ll take care of him once he’s back on the streets.”

“Do you think you’re some kind of God? You wouldn’t even get past his first line of defence, Michael. Bond’s got men watching his back, and taking care of any threat that comes up. Why the fuck do you think we don’t have a star witness anymore?”

I slammed my glass down on the bar. “You wanna see just what I’m capable of, Danny? Give me a day and I’ll show you. And then maybe you’ll stop underestimating me, and start taking what I’m saying seriously. I’m not going down for the shit in my past I can’t erase.”

“Do you want to know what I take seriously? My job. So stop fucking talking before I have to do my job and fucking investigate you.”

“Have at it, you won’t be able to pin anything on me. My work is clean as fuck.”

“Jesus!” He swore under his breath. “This conversation is over. Bond is going to trial and you’re going to have to testify. Get your shit together and get ready for it.” He ended the call, and I placed my phone down on the bar as calmly as I felt.

Time to get to work.

* * *

Josie: Come to lunch at mine today. It’s Christmas Day and I want to see my nephew.

Me: I’m busy.

Josie: Make yourself unbusy.

Me: Is this another attempt to set me up with Sophia? She and I have spoken and nothing will happen there.

Josie: No, I’m gathering all my orphans together like I do every Christmas. It’s been ten years this year, Michael. You need to come this year. I don’t want you alone today.

I swore as I dropped my phone on my bed. I should never have taught her how to send a text. Unwrapping the towel from around my waist, I used it to dry my hair. I had plans today – plans that didn’t include Josie and her good intentions. However, I knew she’d never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t go to her lunch. And having to see her give me that Josie look of reproach for the next few months wasn’t something I wanted to experience.

Me: I might be late.

Josie: I’ll save you a plate.

I got dressed, shoved my phone in my pocket, grabbed my keys and headed out to take care of business.

And then it’d be happy families with Josie.

And a waiting game for Danny to realise I meant business.

* * *

I sat down the street from the familiar building of years ago. I’d lost count of how many hours I’d spent outside this building during that investigation.

Bond’s mansion.

Supposedly an impenetrable fortress.

I knew better and had confirmed it during the hours I’d spent last night hacking into their surveillance and computer systems. Not much had changed in the last four years, and that was a major error on their behalf because it would make what I was about to do that much easier. Knowledge is king, and I had all the knowledge I needed to make this happen.

Leaving my bike, I pulled my leather gloves and ski mask on and walked around the block to the back gate where I knew they had one guy stationed. As I rounded the corner, I took him in. Not as big as he’d appeared on the surveillance footage which went in my favour.

He had his back to me as I approached. When I made it to where he stood, I tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned to face me, I pointed my gun in his face and reached for his two-way.

“What the fuck?” he sneered. “You do realise you’re about to have at least three guys on you, right?”

“How long do you give them?” I asked, not wanting to drag this out but unable to resist playing with him a little.

“Less than a minute. Probably less than thirty seconds.”