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Kent went over it all, leaving nothing out. His brother just listened. It was something he was good at, just stopping and listening. Especially when it came to either of his siblings.
“Don’t know that there’s much we can do about Bartolli. You’ve put the word out that she’s under your protection?”
“Yeah. Hopefully, it keeps him from coming after her. I’ve also got Corbin looking into him.”
“But we can do something about Markovich.”
“Planning to.” He glanced at the clock. “I’ve called some of the boys for a meeting about Markovich. Let them in while I put her to bed?”
“I live to serve.”
Kent rolled his eyes at his older brother. “I also have something I need you to take to Charlie. I’ll grab it as well.” He carefully picked Abby up, carrying her to his bedroom. He managed to pull back the covers then laid her down. He’d moved the mattress back onto the bed earlier. He placed a kiss on her forehead after tucking her in. Then he moved from the room. When he returned downstairs, he heard the low murmur of voices. In the living room sat Macca, Bain, Donovan, Zeke, Corbin and Jed.
He grabbed everyone a beer then sat. “Corbin, get anything on Bartolli?”
“Yeah, the family is bad news. Run by Fergus Bartolli. Owns several strip clubs, as well as other businesses, but most of his money comes from drugs and human trafficking. Apparently he’s a lecherous old bastard with a taste for young girls.”
Kent grimaced. He studied the photo of Fergus Bartolli. He looked like an overweight frog with thinning hair and a huge mole on his lip. Next to him stood a barely legal, leggy blonde who towered above him by at least a foot. She seemed scared as she leaned as far away from him as she could.
“That’s his latest wife, Angie. Rumor has it, she was given to him by her father. Payment for a debt owed.”
“Jesus Christ,” Clint muttered.
“Managed to tap my contacts to see if I could find out whether he’s the one who has Max. Nobody seems to know if Bartolli has him, but apparently he’s got a real hard-on for him. Someone downloaded a whole lot of documents from his computer. Included in those documents were the names of a number of Bartolli’s clients. Who don’t want their names getting out.”
“When Max called, he said he’d lost the flash drive he had the information stored on,” Kent said with a sigh.
“They won’t stop coming for him,” Clint said. “It’s as much about setting an example to others as getting the information back.”
Kent nodded.
“So, what do we do about it?” Bain asked with a frown.
“Let’s send a couple of guys in undercover to his clubs. See if they can ferret anything out, but tell them to do it quietly. Last thing I need is Bartolli catching on that we’re watching him. Corbin, you keep doing some research, see if you can discover anything more. I’ve got a bad feeling about Max.”
“And what about Markovich?” Jed asked.
“He’s a different story,” Kent said darkly. “I’m going to call him and arrange for a meet.”
“Think he’ll come?” Zeke asked.
“He will since Clint has been making things difficult for him. I hear he’s been having trouble with his licensing and alcohol suppliers.”
Clint just smiled.
“Let me go call him now.” Kent grabbed his cell phone then called the number he’d had Corbin track down earlier. Five minutes later, he ended the call with a scowl. He walked back into the living room.
“He won’t meet?” Clint asked.
“No, he’ll agree to it, if I bring Abby with me.”
Clint raised his eyebrows. “What? Why?”
“Reckons he wants to check she’s all right. What fucking right does he have to worry over her? He was taking her money! I’m not taking her. It’s too dangerous.”
“We can keep her safe, chief,” Zeke said. “And it doesn’t seem likely he’d hurt her. She’s been meeting with him for months now every week.”
“From what I’ve heard, he rather likes Abby,” Corbin added.
