to track down the owners before they find us.”
Ames’s voice, low and worried, came from behind him. “Are you planning on some sort of confrontation?”
He closed his eyes for a moment. Once upon a time, he’d actually liked Albert Esposito, his ole buddy Bert. But business came first for guys like the Espositos. Friendship took a backseat to business. Hell, friendship wasn’t even along for the ride.
“I hope we can all come out of this…” He stopped before saying alive. “I’m planning on coming forward with this money and information. Even though Elliot and the bulk of the cash are long gone, we might get some brownie points,” he explained to Jake.
Ames gave a little laugh. “What do we win if we get enough of those points?”
Okay, he’d stop trying to candy-coat the truth. “The chance to keep breathing.” He paused. “Jake, can Ames spend the night here?”
Nick hated asking, but the Greely place was probably the safest spot in all of Arnesdale for Ames. Bert might know about Ames now, but he wouldn’t know about Elliot’s contacts in Arnesdale, like his friendship with Jake, which was exactly why Elliot had felt safe leaving his loot here temporarily.
“Of course. Come on inside, Ames. I’ll set you up in the guest room. I’ll think of some reason to tell Mom—your apartment’s got a roach infestation or something.”
“Just a minute. I don’t need the two of you planning my life. No way am I hiding out. Elliot’s problem has become my problem. I’m sticking with Nick till this is over, one way or another.”
“No!” Jake spoke in unison with Nick.
Nick didn’t like how excited the guy was about Ames staying in his house. It wasn’t as if Jake would make a move on her or that Ames was at all interested in him, but a surge of protectiveness made Nick want to keep her with him after all. What the hell kind of caveman mentality was that?
“Look, Ames, I don’t want to get into another argument with you, but it’s safer this way. Not just for you, for me too.” He spoke calmly, patiently, rationally, but inside he was seething with frustration at the woman.
“How’s that?” Her hands were on her hips, braced for a fight.
“Like I told you, I know Bert from way back. I think I can talk my way out of trouble and maybe even get him to stop going after Elliot for the rest of the cash, but it’s going to be a delicate negotiation, and easier accomplished without you there. He’ll feel threatened, afraid you might go to the feds or something.” He stepped close to her and rested a hand on her arm, feeling the rigid tension. “Please, let me handle this alone.”
“And afterward? If everything goes all right, you leave for New York.” Her lips pressed tight, and Nick realized she was struggling to keep her emotions under control.
He shook his head. “Not necessarily. Not right away. I got a house here, after all, and it’s not as if I have a job to go back to. Gotta say, it’s probably better if I stay away from New York. Maybe Bert will let me go for old times’ sake, but I wouldn’t count on the same treatment from his family.”
“Even though you helped find their stuff and returned it.”
He nodded. “I’m caught up in Elliot’s mess, and if they can’t find him to make an example of, they might just use me.”
She took her hands from her hips only to cross her arms over her chest, another confrontational pose. “Fine. I get your point about seeing the man alone, but I could at least hide nearby. If things start to go bad, I can call nine-one-one for backup. You shouldn’t go into this alone.”
Nick was touched, truly touched, and utterly annoyed that she refused to simply do what he told her to do. “That’s not a bad idea, but—”
She held up a hand. “No buts. I’m not some fainting maiden you have to protect, and I won’t do anything stupid like barge into the middle of your meeting. Like I said, I’ll just be close in case you need help.”
“We should tell the cops everything,” Jake spoke up. “Elliot’s my best friend, but this is too much. Hit men? No way. We gotta bail on this right now.”
“No!” This time it was Ames who chimed in with Nick.
“Please, Jake,” she said. “Going to the cops was my first response too, but it won’t help keep