House of Paine - (A Romantic Suspense - Book 2) by Kylie Walker Page B

your heart to be out from underneath his thumb? Hell, if he was locked up you could even take the business legit if you wanted to.”
    “I have no idea what you expect me to do here...”
    “Get a copy of his books. He launders the shit out of money through that restaurant...I need a copy of those books. I need one that implicates Lucas as well...”
    “You are fucking insane. Just give him what you have and he’ll leave you alone and make sure Kramer leaves your girlfriend alone too.”
    Damien laughed. “If you believe that you’re the one who is insane. As long as they’re both in control, Paige and I don’t have a chance.”
    Alex looked like he was considering it, which was a good sign. “There are no guarantees that I’d end up in control. If the old man and Kramer end up in prison, there are still all of Kramer’s brother’s and both of Dad’s to contend with.”
    “Okay then help me think of another way. Please Alex. I’ve never asked you for anything...please.”
    “Shit! I have to get back to New York.”
    “Alex...” He started to walk away. When Damien called out to him he stopped and looked over his shoulder.
    “I’ll be in touch,” he said. Damien let him go. That was more of an answer than he expected.

Chapter 14
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    “I just bailed my daughter out of jail. My son is dead! Meanwhile that Bitch who put them both where they are is running around free being protected by your son and your niece!”
    Jackson was sitting in the restaurant. Lucas was pacing back and forth. All five of Lucas’s brothers were sitting at the bar. Alex was half an hour late and Jackson was pissed. He had a huge shipment arriving today and because of Damien and Paige’s shit he was weeks behind on other work that needed to be done. He was in the restaurant alone with no one to back him up other than a waiter who probably didn’t have his pubic hair yet and a female bartender.     Normally he wouldn’t be worried. Lucas was not only his old friend, he was smart enough to know that killing Jackson would be the equivalent of declaring war. But with all that had been going on with his kids lately...he wasn’t in his normal frame of mind. His wife was putting pressure on him to do something...and Lucas had spent the last thirty years making her happy.
    “I told you I will take care of it. I just need some time. The police are very interested in all of this right now and you want to know why?” Jackson said. Lucas needed to hear this.
    “Don’t you fucking tell me this is Kelsey’s fault! She was heartbroken over the death of her brother. Imagine her trauma walking in and finding him dead!”
    “This goes all the way back to Caine killing Greg,” Jackson told him. “Your children can’t seem to stay out of trouble and they keep pulling all of us into it with them.”
    “My children? My fucking children? Let’s start with your step-children, shall we?”
    “Okay...both of our kids need to be put in check...”
    “I only have one left. My son is dead!”
    “As is my step-son,” Jackson said, looking at the door again. Where the fuck is Alex?
    Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked like he was right on the edge and Jackson couldn’t be sure what the man might do if he snapped. Damien and Paige better hope Roxi’s security is damned good because Lucas looked ready to launch and all-out attack. The door to the restaurant pushed open just then and Kevin came in. “I’ll give you forty-eight hours to tell me what you plan on doing about this mess before I act myself. I don’t care what you do to me...my child did not die for nothing and my daughter will not rot in jail on a kidnapping and assault charge!” Lucas jerked his head at his brothers. They got up and followed Lucas out the door, all of them brushing past Kevin as if he didn’t exist. When they were gone Kevin sat down next to Jackson. Jackson drained the glass of amber liquid in front of him and said,
    “I