But there was something else he could do, he could get himself a fight. If people were looking for the Ravager’s girl, then he had to get himself on a bill somewhere. Most guys would assume that he would bring his brunette, which of course, he wouldn’t. But Dax could try to track interested parties if he got them all together in one room, and there was a chance one of them would slip up and say something to give himself away and if they did, Dax would be ready.

Though if he were going to find himself a fight tonight then he’d have to get back to Ivy this afternoon. His promise to return that night and not find a fight was one he’d have to go back on now, which meant he’d have to assuage her snit. More than happy to do that, because it meant getting naked with her, the remaining buzz from upstairs fostered his need to seek out some private time with his wife after their next stop.

‘Let’s check out The Greyhound,’ Dax said. ‘You know where to find him?’

Serg nodded and turned the car at the next junction to take them toward The Greyhound’s place, which it turned out was less than ten minutes’ drive away.

As soon as they got to The Greyhound’s apartment Dax knew that they were too late. Police tape was draped around the outer stairway of the building, and forensic analysts were crawling all over the scene. Dax waved two fingers at Serg indicating that they should keep on driving.

‘You think that’s him?’ Serg asked.

Examining the building, Dax noted the newly rendered facade and the freshly painted railings, this was a good block, meaning it was unlikely there was too much crime around here.

‘Whether it is or not, we’re not getting in there without talking to a cop, you up for that?’

Serg didn’t respond because he didn’t need to. They were both of the same Stark school where if you saw a cop you turned and walked the other way. Parking and trying to get in or ask questions would likely end up with one or both of their names in a notebook, and that was the last thing that either of them wanted or needed.

‘If The Greyhound was taken out because of this bounty then whoever is behind it is serious.’

Yes, that was the proof that this was no joke. ‘Take me to the mansion.’

Going to Mauri was only a stop on his way back to Ivy, it was time to put his suspicions to Mauri. If the old man didn’t have any updates for him, anything tangible, then it would be as good as signing a confession as far as Dax was concerned. When Mauri wanted information he got it, unless whoever was behind this knew how to evade Mauri’s grasp, but that was a rare thing for anyone outside of the inner circle.

Chapter Sixteen

Mauri took longer than normal to come out of the bedroom, and he looked frail today like he’d had a rough night. It had been easy to forget just how ill Mauri was because Dax had so many distractions in his life.

He’d paced Mauri’s private drawing room for almost ten minutes, unable to sit down because of the unsated energy zipping through him. When Mauri did eventually come in, Dax stopped, and his tirade died on his lips.

Gaunt and tired, the lines on Mauri’s face were etched deep, and his usually proud stature was a bit stooped today. ‘I don’t suppose this is a social visit,’ Mauri said, he coughed then brought a silk handkerchief to the corner of his mouth. ‘What did you find out?’

‘I came here to find out what you know,’ Dax said, trying not to be affected by the sight of such a robust man wasting away.

‘I told Serg what we discussed.’

If Mauri didn’t even know that Serg had come to him, then it was unlikely he’d done any digging of his own. ‘Yeah, we spoke to Winlow.’

Mauri shuffled toward his armchair next to the fireplace. His steps weren’t sure, they were unsteady, and Dax fought the urge to go over there and support him.

‘What did he say?’

‘Tried to say he knew nothing.’

‘But you persuaded him to share?’ Mauri asked. Slumping into his seat, his relief became a smile, and he lifted his eyes to Dax, who nodded.

His energy waned into the numb depths that sunk out of his guts. Mauri was going to die. Only now, looking at this shadow of his former mentor did Dax comprehend that in a few months there would be no more Maurice Stark to talk to; he wouldn’t be around to offer advice and guidance, he would just be gone.

‘He folded pretty quick,’ Dax said, glued to the floor where he stood.

‘And what did he reveal?’

‘He got the information at a card game, Benny and The Greyhound were there, it was The Greyhound who clued him in.’

‘Benny is a dead end, if he knew anything he’d declare it in every bar he walked into, the man can’t keep his mouth shut.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Did you follow up with The Greyhound?’

‘His place is tied up, the cops are swarming; something went down there not too long ago.’

‘That’s concerning,’ Mauri said, using the arm of the chair to support his weight.

‘I thought the same thing,’ Dax said, forcing himself to leave his position by the door. He went to the chair beside Mauri’s and sat. ‘But see what I can’t figure out, is why you don’t have a handle on what’s going down. Nothing like this, nothing this big, goes down without you knowing someone who knows something.’

Mauri exhaled what was probably supposed to be a laugh, but it became a wince. ‘As you might have noticed, I’m not quite at my full strength.’

‘No, but you’ve got Brad running the show. If he was to ask around—‘

‘I haven’t given Brad all of the information about this,’ Mauri said. ‘He’s not happy about the offer that I made to you. He would never contradict me in public, but behind closed doors… Ivy’s war is not the only one being waged now, and I no longer have my favourite son to protect me.’

‘I wasn’t your favourite,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I was just the most pliable.’

‘Brad is proud and cannot be told, he thinks that he knows best and does not understand how wisdom comes with experience.’

‘He doesn’t listen to you,’ Dax said. ‘That’s not new.’

‘And Trystan… well, you know what he’s like.’

‘Yeah,’ Dax said. ‘You spoiled him, he thinks that he’s invincible, which is why he thinks he can take whatever he wants.’

‘He was unhappy about you leaving the party,’ Mauri said. ‘I assumed from the bruising on his head that you and he had words.’

‘Not so many words, but action was taken. He puts his hands on my wife again and next time he won’t bruise, he won’t breathe either.’

‘I’ll talk to him,’ Mauri said. ‘Do you believe that he could be behind this bounty?’

‘He has the means,’ Dax said. ‘I’m not taking anyone out of the running, including you.’

‘Me? I thought we’d discussed this,’ Mauri asked. ‘Why would I want to harm Ivy?’

‘Could be that you think I’ll take you up on your offer if she’s not around, maybe you just want to take someone with you when you go.’

‘Well,’ Mauri said, examining the fireplace. If Dax didn’t know him any better, he would think that Mauri was hurt. ‘I’m sorry that you believe me to be so callous. I wouldn’t take your happiness from you. If I wanted to do that, I could have used the many other opportunities that I’ve had with Ivy.’

‘You wanted us around, in the beach house, spending more time in California, and you’ve gotten your wish, that’s a hard fact to ignore.’

‘Maybe,’ Mauri said. ‘But as you pointed out, I won’t be around for long. If you don’t have me, and you don’t have Ivy, what would you do?’

Dax would tear apart every person who had harmed his wife and anyone that those people cared about. He’d dedicate his life to avenging her, because he would no longer care about his own life. There would be no future for him because Ivy was his future. Without her, nothing else would hold the same value.

‘Like I said,’ Dax said, brushing aside those thoughts of revenge. ‘It’s hard to ignore that you got exactly what you wanted.’