our next steps with Freddy. You have time to help me with that today, or do you have other things on your plate?" I softened my approach with D and worked hard not to let my eyes move down the front of his body, coveting him in a way that I couldn't stop myself from doing no matter how bad things got.
"Joe's going to have to decide on what to do about Freddy." D turned back toward my dad. "I know you don't want to make any sudden moves, and I think that's a great idea, but this shit with Freddy started happening before Vivian died."
"Find out what you know, and bring me the full story, and then we'll do something about him. I can't have him fucking up something we've worked so hard to build over the last few years. You remember how hard it was to get into the narcotics business?"
"Of course I do," D mumbled.
"And without anyone on the force helping cover our tracks." I reached out and took D's drink from him. "It's too early to be drinking."
"Says who?" He lifted his eyebrow at me.
I ignored him and walked over to the liquor cabinet, tossing the contents of the glass into the sink.
"We need to talk about Jonathan." I glanced over my shoulder. "Who are we going to get to work on the guy?"
"I was hoping his father would." My dad leaned against his desk and shrugged. "Somehow Armstrong has decided that he wants a different life for his son. The kid is doing really well on the police force, working his way up the ladder quickly."
"What doesn't he have?" I asked as I walked back over to join the guys.
"What do you mean?" D crossed his arms over his chest as his expression tightened.
"I mean, what is he lacking? What can we offer him that might not only entice him to join us but to be completely loyal in the process?"
My father shook his head, his face expressionless. "Neither of you is ready for that conversation, so we'll have it another time."
I tilted my head to the side and studied my old man. What conversation?
"Meet with Marco, and get the rest of the story on Freddy." My dad glanced toward D. "You need to start thinking about who we have on our radar that we could use to replace Freddy when we decide that he's not fit to run the cartel, much less push drugs for us."
"Catherine mentioned that Selma knew of someone. I'll dig a little and at least get someone started on checking references on the guy." D moved toward the door, opened it and moved back. "Come on, princess. We have a lot to do."
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you two that it's queen." I gave my dad a quick kiss on the cheek and walked to the door, pausing and glancing back only to boss him around a little. "The meeting tonight is at eight, so get some rest, and don't overdo it until then."
He chuckled. "You forget who I am, child."
"Perhaps, but I love you enough to remind you of who you aren't anymore. Relax today, and let us deal with this." I moved past D into the hall and worked hard not to inhale the scent of his cologne.
The door closed behind me, and the sound of D's shiny black shoes clipping the floor filled the air.
"You know this conversation is far from over with us." He stopped by the office beside my father's and opened the door. "Come in here, and let's talk with Freddy. He's not listening to me, and I'm close to using violence as a means of opening his ears. I figure as his sister you'll want the benefit of smacking him around in a more loving way before I get ahold of him."
"What conversation isn't over between us?" I tucked in my T-shirt and walked into D's office as he closed the door behind me.
"The one where you spent the night with Edward. It's dangerous, and I don't like it." He moved toward his desk and took his seat. "Not one fucking bit."
His dark eyes bored into me as he glanced up with tightly held anger on his face.
I pressed my hand to his desk and leaned over just enough to let my V-neck open to show the tops of my breasts. "Well, guess what, motherfucker, you weren't here when I got back. I told you how badly I