Page 72 of War Within
“Mobile files are sent.” Carmine slid his phone in his pocket.
Rolling my bottom lip between my fingers, I darted my eyes around the room, trying to place the pieces of the mystery together. Marco. Tyler. The photos on Marco’s phone. The files Carmine just sent.
It was at that point, I noticed him staring at me. I narrowed my gaze, sliding my hands in my pockets. “Say whatever you're thinking.”
“I don’t know Jane’s friend, but if he’s involved with Marco then he needs to be far away from her.”
“Right.”
“Does this Lily girl know anything about you?”
I shook my head. “Not unless Jane told her anything.”
“Well, in order for your ass to be covered, it needs to be a breakup.”
“Go on.” I nodded once.
“Well, according to some of these messages I found, Tyler was overseeing the sex trafficking portion of the company.”
Closing my eyes, I huffed. I trafficked drugs, alcohol, and sex. I even believed in murdering someone for sinning against my family. But I did not support taking someone’s body sexually against their will. That was a crime I did not fuck with.
“I don’t condone that at all.” I rolled my eyes.
“Me either. But I bet we can get him to cheat on this Lily girl.” He pinned his lip between his teeth for a moment, glancing up at the corner of the room in thought. “We will record it just in case we need evidence. The breakup will be her idea and possibly keep the drama low unless we need to change the plan at the last minute.” He clasped his hands together. “Then we can swoop in and get him. Less explaining to do. Less mess to clean up.” He arched a brow, cocking his head.
“And how do you propose we get him to cheat?”
“Well, no one knows Marco is dead yet other than us and Jane, correct?”
I nodded as I lit a cigarette, inhaling.
“The naked girls who were running away from the scene are a part of the trafficking. All we have to do is use Marco's phone and text Tyler to fly here. When he arrives, Marco isout.” He air-quotedout. “We send a text from Marco's phone to one of the girls to meet him. By the time I arrive in Hawaii, Lily gets the proof and ends things. And I’ll be there to keep the three girls safe in case.”
“Knowing that type,” leaning forward over a table, I flicked the ash off, “I think he will try to hurt her if she were to end things.” Pinning the cigarette between my finger, I shook my head. “I will have the girl steal his phone and give it to me. I’ll get Leo to lock Tyler up until I know what to do from there. I left Marco's phone on a nearby table.
Carmine jerked his head to his bedroom. “I'm going to pack.”
Kahale was waiting for me when the boat came to a stop, docking at the island. He took two of my suitcases, I took the other. He chatted about the girls, updating me on their activities and warning me about how loud they had been. I could handle it. I had four sisters.
Since my friendship with Giovanni ended two decades ago, I had never been here before. Many assorted sizes of palm trees and colorful, ixora shrubs lined the walkway leading to the front door. The sound of birds and waves hugging the beach filled the air. It was true paradise. As we walked up the five steps leading to the porch, I sent Giovanni a quick text.
Made it to the house.
Kahale opened the door and we stepped into the grand foyer. There was no sign of the girls anywhere. He guided me upstairs, showing me to my bedroom. He then showed me where each of the girls’ rooms were located in case I needed any of them.
“Judging by your looks, you like to work out like I do.” He proudly flexed one of his biceps, smiling as if he had just smoked weed for three hours straight. Smelled like it as well.
I nodded, removing my phone from my pocket to see Giovanni had texted me back.Alright, executing breakup plan now with Celia’s help. I’ll call with details later.
“There’s a gym downstairs on the other end of the house if you want to work out.” Kahale continued, never missing a beat. “That’s about all.” He leaned in an archway, his tone mellow and relaxed. “If you need me, I’ll be in there.”
Nodding, I sauntered back to my bedroom, changing into pair of grey board shorts and a fitted white tank top. Since the girls were probably busy in their rooms, I would get in a workout then find them and go over some instructions from Giovanni.
I pursed my lips, tilting my head as I ran my fingers over the sleeve tattoo on my left arm. One centered amongst the others, reminded me why I once cared so much for this family, and still did. His brothers and I had all gotten the same one. I never had mine covered.
Before locating the gym, I navigated my way through the house on a hunt for the kitchen. As I rounded a corner, I found myself standing in the doorway staring at the back of a tanned blonde dressed in a navy blue and white floral bikini.
“Hi there.” I announced my presence.
