Devil You Know(Lost Boys Book 1)(109)

“Understandable.”

“But why? Dobbs is a very small fish and Salvatore is well protected. A small fish isn’t taking him out and still he erases every connection to Dobbs, every paper trail.”

“He’s not worried about Dobbs, but someone Dobbs’ services were used for.”

“Yeah.”

“And Guy?”

“Anton had a sit down with Federico. He confirmed that he’s been partnering with Hartnett, scratching each other’s back as it were. Dobbs isn’t the ringleader, he’s the puppet.”

Pain ripped right through me. We trusted him, loved him and he was deceiving us the whole time.

“Why would Guy do it?”

“Around the time of his cash infusion, his son and wife were getting treated by a very expensive fertility specialist. It would seem Hartnett and Federico struck up a deal. Guy keeps legal shit from landing on Federico and his minions and Federico throws him some moonlighting opportunities.”

“Oh my God. Guy’s family loved Dad, Trevor especially. How’s he going to feel when he learns of this, looks at his child knowing his son cost a man his life. Why would Guy do that to him?”

Damian didn’t answer that, but he did say, “He’s dirty, but we’re having trouble pinning anything on him.”

“So what happens now?”

“Cam is working with the DA to build the cases against Dobbs and the other dirty cops. He expects warrants to be issued within the week.”

“And Guy?”

“He is still trying to build a case against him. We can’t count on Federico’s testimony so we have to keep digging.”

I did move then, right to Damian and pressed my cheek to his chest. “He knew. Dad knew he was playing with fire and planned for the worst case scenario by sending Cam copies of his files.”

“Yeah it looks that way. You okay?”

My heart ached so I did what I always did. My arms went around him and I borrowed some of his strength as I allowed the full impact of what he shared to settle over me. Dad’s former partner, one of his best friends, played a part in his death.



It wasn’t yet morning, but I was awake. I was angry, so fucking angry, and sad and hurt. I thought about the night of the charity function and how Guy had been so solicitous, and sitting in the kitchen with my mom being all friendly, and yet he had a hand in Dad’s death.

“Are you okay?”

My attention jerked to Damian to see he was awake and watching me.

“I don’t know what to do with the rage and the anger.” I climbed from the bed. I needed air. I yanked open the balcony door and stepped outside. I was just settling in the chair when Damian joined me. He stepped to the railing, checking the scene I was sure. Even now he was watching and protecting. I studied his tattoo until he turned, leaned up against the railing and pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“Talk to me.”

“He was like family. His family was an extension of ours. He had been a pallbearer at Dad’s funeral, he’s Cam’s godfather, and if he wasn’t the one to kill dad, he played a part. How do I process that?”

“I wish I could answer that. He won’t get away with it. I can promise you that.”

I stood, feeling too restless to sit. “Can I see your tattoo?” But I didn’t wait for a response. I walked to him and traced the devil on his back. It was beautiful. “Your Mom was wrong to call you the devil. People like Guy are devils. He was my father’s best friend and he threw it all away for money. I don’t care why he needed it. The price he paid to get it was too fucking high. You’re nothing like that.” I kissed him right in the center of his back. “This tattoo shouldn’t be an albatross; it should be a talisman to your strength, your character, your integrity and your beauty because you are beautiful, Damian, inside and out.”

I pressed my forehead to his back, wrapped my arms around his waist. “Do you think he knew? Dad? Do you think he knew it was his friend, his brother that betrayed him? The one he had walked the beat with, the one who had his back as much as he had his? The man who stood up with him at his wedding, promised to care for his children if something should happen to him. Do you think he knew?”

Damian turned into me, his voice harsh. “Don’t do that to yourself.”

“I don’t just want him to get caught, I want him to hurt. I want him to know we know and I want him to hurt. What kind of person does that make me?”

“Human.”

A thought had fury slipping to fear. “What about Mom? She has to be told something? What if Guy makes a play for her? She won’t know.”