Chapter 24

It’s around ten at night, but it’s still early at the Hide and Hare. The place is a cop bar and off-duty officers are all over the place. Even though half the clientele are related to law enforcement, from lawyers to public defenders to detectives, the cops still stand out. It’s the way they hold themselves, so rigid and worried, like they’re nervous something bad’s going to happen.

That kind of worry can’t be good for a person. No wonder most cops are high-strung assholes. And the ones that aren’t don’t last long.

I’m a little nervous about bringing Elena here. Her family’s infamous in Chicago circles and I know more than a few DAs that would happily interrogate her on the spot just on the off chance she might say something incriminating. Except she’s wearing this sexy as fuck green dress that makes her tan skin practically glow. It’s slightly low cut, showing off a hint of her perfectly round tits, and the back’s cut out, and the woman’s got a gorgeous damn back, so lovely and smooth and toned. Her round ass shakes with each sway of the skirt, and I’m feeling a little jealous when every male eye in the room looks her way, plus a few of the females too.

“Look at you, Brody Quinn,” says a sleazeball lawyer I know named Randy McDavid. “And you brought your new wife. Elena Bianco, I’m Randy, great to meet you.”

“If you ever need shady personal injury work, Randy’s your guy,” I tell her.

Elena laughs and shakes his hand. “A pleasure, Randy.”

“Pleasure’s all mine. But I guess I should call you Elena Quinn now, right?”

She seems a bit startled but recovers. “Right, yes, I’m not used to that yet.”

“Come have a drink with me,” Randy says, gesturing toward a booth, but I wave him off.

“We’re working,” I tell him, which he understands and lets us pass over to the bar.

I order a whiskey and Elena asks for some wine. The drinks show up fast as more people I know come over to say hello and introduce themselves to Elena. Not only is this place right on the edge of my territory and the majority of these people are friendly with my organization, but I’m also a lawyer and I know a lot of these people professionally. The Irish community in Chicago is close-knit and we take care of each other, even if we don’t necessarily always get along.

Part of me wondered if Elena would draw too much attention, and she’s definitely getting a lot of that, but it’s not really a bad thing. Turns out she knows most of these people too since her family’s as deeply connected as mine, if not more so, just not necessarily with the cops. She knows all the lawyers in this place though, with the exception of cretins like Randy, and happily asks questions about their personal lives like she’s known them all for years.

“How the hell do you do that?” I ask after an older public defender walks off. “Seriously, how did you know that guy has a daughter?”

“We met once or twice. I’m good with people.” She pats my chest. “Don’t worry, darling, you’re with a professional now.”

If she didn’t look so damn good, and she weren’t living up to her lofty standards, I might be annoyed.

At least I take over when it comes to the cops. Despite her family’s underworld dealings, most of the officers we speak to are more than happy to shake her hand and introduce themselves, probably because it’s like seeing a minor celebrity wander into the room. Any of these law enforcement types would be happy to bust a Bianco. That’d make their damn careers.

Elena charms their pants off. She practically glows in social situations like this, laughing at the right times, telling good stories, basically being engaged with everyone she speaks to in a way that makes them feel special. Even I’m starting to like her more watching her work, and I already knew she was incredible before tonight.

Things are going great until we reach Captain Niall Kennedy. He’s a grizzled old bastard with a head like a brick and shoulders like two eighteen-wheelers. His body’s slumped over his drink and nobody’s bothering him at the end of the bar, which makes sense, because he’s everyone’s boss in this place. Also, he’s crabby as fuck.

“How are things, Captain?” I nod at the bartender and buy him another drink. He glances at me and shrugs.

“Things are fine, Quinn. The fuck you want? Parade your new pretty criminal wife in front of the rank and file. They’re more impressed than I am.”

Elena leans against my side, smiling as if he told the best joke in the world. “Actually, I’d much rather talk to you. This is the first time I’ve been surprised all night.”

Captain Kennedy lifts his head slightly and glances at her. He’s frowning, but he’s also not telling her to fuck off, which is a good thing.

“You and your people have been trouble lately, Ms. Bianco,” he grunts at her. “Sorry, I meant Mrs. Quinn. We’ll have to update our files on you.”

Anger unfurls in my guts. I don’t like the way he’s speaking to my wife, and I’m about to tell him so when Elena squeezes my shoulder. “Please do, Captain. I wouldn’t want the CPD’s paperwork to be incorrect. We all know how much you cops love your paper.”

That gets the tiniest hint of a smile. “You’re funny, Mrs. Quinn.”

“Please, call me Elena. I’m sure you know me better than I know you.”

“You’d assume right.” Captain Kennedy accepts the new drink the bartender places in front of him and turns in our direction. “What can I do for you, Brody?”

“I wanted to discuss some of those files you just mentioned.” I swirl my drink and glance at Elena. If Captain Kennedy had been a little kinder to her, I might do this the easy way, take a nice soft approach with him. Instead, I’m kind of pissed off, and I want to rub his smug fucking face in it.

“I’m not interested.” He starts to turn away again.

“But I’m sure you’re interested in your wife’s medical debt.” I say it nice and casually, but he stiffens. I feel Elena tense at my side too, but I ignore her. “Yeah, I know where my money’s going, Captain, and I know you’ve been taking a nice, big bite out of the CPD’s cut. How is she doing now?”

“In remission,” he says, not meeting my eye. “The department’s got a good medical plan, but—” His shoulders slump. “Fuck you, Quinn. That’s but what.”

“There are too many officers interested in the Bianco family,” I say softly, leaning in closer so only he and Elena can hear me. “I need you to make sure they’re busy working other cases.”

“Why the fuck would I do that?”

“Because your debts can go away.”

His big hands tighten around the glass. “You’re using my wife’s cancer against me. That’s pretty fucked up, even for you.”

“No, I’m using our country’s broken medical system against you. Make sure the Biancos have some space to maneuver in the next few weeks, do you hear me?”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I hate you people,” he murmurs. “You think you own us.”

“No, Captain. I just own your debt.” I push my chair back. “Thanks for cooperating.”

He grunts and looks at Elena. “Guess he fits right in with you and your family, huh? Yeah, I’ll fucking do it, because I love my wife, but don’t misunderstand this situation.”

“Thank you, Captain,” she says very quietly.

I lead her away, smiling to myself, my hand on her lower back. She’s the most beautiful woman in this room—the most beautiful woman in the city—and she’s on my fucking arm.

Outside, we pause on the sidewalk. A couple cops are smoking nearby but they ignore us. We walk a few paces away before I pull her into my arms.

She’s not smiling as she looks up at me. “Did you have to do that?” she asks.

“Probably not. He’s on the payroll already. But fuck him. I didn’t like the way he talked to you.”

She buries her face in my chest. “You’d think I’d be used to this by now, but I guess I’m not ruthless enough.”

“Don’t worry.” I move her so she’s looking into my eyes. “We would’ve taken care of his wife no matter what. Captain Kennedy needs a kick in the ass to remind him about our relationship from time to time, but we’re not monsters.”

She doesn’t seem convinced, but when I kiss her, she melts into my arms, and that’s enough for now.