Savage Collision: A Hawke Family Novel (Hawke Family #1)(40)

Now I’m the one rolling my eyes while I pull out a pair of jeans and yank them on. “Okay, I’ll call you later.”

By the time I’m changed and on my way to meet Paul, I’m already fifteen minutes late.

Shit, shit, shit. I hope he’s still there.

He chose the meeting place and Louis Armstrong Park is another ten minutes from me. When he’s already so nervous about what he’s doing, keeping him waiting is the last thing I want to do, but when I try to call him to tell him I’m running late, it goes straight to voicemail. I try several more times before I finally pull into the parking lot and take off toward the remote corner of the park he indicated.

Please be here. Please be here.

I arrive a full half-hour after our meeting time and don’t see him anywhere. In fact, I don’t see anyone. This area of the park is deserted at this hour, and I can see why he would choose it as a safe location. The chances of us being seen together here are slim.

My heart sinks. I fucking blew it! All because I wanted to blow Savage…and that didn’t even happen!

I’m not prepared to sacrifice my career to put his worries at ease. He overreacted this morning and, for a minute, I was tempted to storm out still pissed at him. But, the genuine concern in his eyes broke my will to remain defiant and I can’t really say I blame him for being apprehensive about me meeting a mysterious (to him) source.

He doesn’t know Paul. I do. I trust him. Paul is the guy; I know he can get me what I need. He’s been working for Abello for ten years in various capacities. As far as I can tell, he never dirties his hands with anything too bad; Abello has a few right-hand goons who take care of his truly filthy work. But Paul is trusted, and that’s exactly what I need, someone on the inside.

A loud cough off to my left draws my attention to a stand of trees. I wander over there, trying to look as casual as possible just in case anyone is watching. Paul is leaning against a large tree, smoking a cigarette and looking around nervously.

“You’re late.”

“I’m sorry. I got hung up. I tried to call.”

He drops the butt and smashes it under his boot. “Turned my phone off. Don’t want to be tracked.”

Tracked?

“You think he can do that?” A shrug is his only response. Silence lingers between us and I finally break it. The less time we are out here, the safer we will be. “Do you have something for me?” He was supposed to be looking for contracts, messages, anything that would confirm meetings and deals between Dunne and Abello.

Please have it. I really fucking need this.

He looks to the ground briefly and he shakes his head. “No, couldn’t get into the office without being noticed.”

“Shit.” Why did he need to meet with me if he doesn’t have anything? I glance around again, suddenly wary of being out here alone with a member of the mob. “Um, so why did you want to meet?”

He paces in front of me and pulls a slip of paper from his jacket pocket, holding it out to me. I reach out and grab it.

It’s a Post-it note…with my name on it.

My throat constricts and my knees wobble slightly. “Where did you get this?”

His concern-laced eyes find mine. “It was on the floor outside the office. It must have been stuck to something and fallen off.”

“Christ…did you hear anyone mention my name?”

He shakes his head but the worry in his gaze tells me it doesn’t matter. The fact my name is there at all is enough for me to essentially have a target on my back.

“So, you don’t know what he suspects or if he knows I’m looking into him?”

“No, I don’t, but you know what this means. You should back off. This is going to get us both killed.”

Back off? Never!

I don’t care if Abello has my name or suspects what I’m up to. I’m not going to stop doing what I know is right. I just need that information to get Abello out of the picture for good. I chew on my thumbnail and pace in front of him. “Do you think you can still get into the office?”

“What? Didn’t you hear what I just said? He has your fucking name!”

“And I know what I’m doing, Paul. I’m not giving this up.”

He grunts and curses under his breath. “You’re fucking crazy, lady.”

He has no idea.

I laugh. “Maybe I am. So, can you try again?”

A reluctant sigh seeps from his lips. “Maybe. Dom is gone next week and will be taking a lot of the men with him.”

My ears perk up and I stop pacing. “Gone? Gone where?”

“Not sure. All I know is something about going to an important meeting.”

An important meeting can only mean one thing—something big is coming. Abello controls New Orleans and the surrounding areas completely, and if he’s at a meeting, odds are it’s to direct his lackeys in some sadistic plot or organize something big.

“Okay, see what you can find out about his trip and get into that office. I really need this, Paul.”

He stands up to his full height and growls lowly. I’m sure it’s meant to be intimidating, but I don’t back down from him.

“You need this? What about me, Danika? I’m putting my ass on the line here, and he already knows something is going on. He’s probably already on the lookout for a snitch.”