Dane

"What is it?" Lila asked, her voice shaky.

​​

"No one should have this number except John, and that's not his number," Dane said faintly.

They both stared at it. He considered not answering it, just throwing the phone out of the window and getting the hell out of here, but he knew it would just torment him, not knowing who'd found him already.

So he swallowed, prayed, and hit the button to accept the call. "Who is this?"

"Dane! My, you've been a busy boy."

Dane's head dropped. "Felix." Lila took his hand and squeezed it.

"Yes! Ten out of ten."

"Drop the clown act, Felix. What do you want?"

There was a hesitation on the other end, then, "I've just had to extricate your brother from your Penthouse, and call in far too many favors to do it. I'm calling to make sure you're really leaving?"

Dane waited… then frowned. "Is this a joke?

"Not at all. Your brother is proving… a touch reckless. I'm guessing I can't convince you to join our team—there's so many things we do here that have nothing to do with death, Dane, you know that. Wouldn't it be nice to make peace and just… be together."

"I think you and I define peace very differently."

"Yes, yes, but… can't you see it, Dane? All the fun with none of the angst. I don't want you dead, and I don't care if you don't want to get messy. As long as you aren't talking to others about us…" he trailed off and Dane finally understood.

He nodded. "You know I've always kept your silence, Felix," he said carefully. Lila's hand tightened on his. "Nothing's going to change there."

"I certainly hope not, Dane. That would be… very inconvenient."

"So, Chris and this idea that he has that he's running the show?"

Felix snorted. "You and I both know your brother is not CEO material."

"My father used to say you weren't either, Felix."

"Yes, the asshole. Let's just say I was always very conscious of not revealing all my talents. Always keep something up your sleeve, Dane. Patience pays off."

Dane looked at Lila and smiled. She smiled back hesitantly. "Agreed," he said. There was a pause and Dane wondered what other bomb Felix was going to drop.

Then Felix sighed. "You almost killed him, you know. He's got damage to his larynx and probably to his psyche as well."

"He's lucky Lila was there. I would have done it."

"I doubt that."

"Felix, he almost killed my wife today. I promise you, I wanted to."

"Well, perhaps there's hope for you yet, then Dane. Are you certain you won't stick around."

"Absolutely positive. Now, tell me why you really called."

There was another hesitation, which surprised Dane. Felix was nothing if not bold. "Assuming you're telling the truth about not wanting to return, I have an offer for you."

Dane's heartrate sped up. "What's that?"

"I may be in a position to have your charges… fall through the cracks."

Dane swallowed. "And why would you do that for me?"

"Because, Dane, I've always liked you, and frankly, I don't want to have to deal with you. You're annoyingly persistent. And if you're here, I would have to make a show of making an example of you. I don't want to do it, that's the plain truth. But I will. That's what I have to warn you. Your side of this bargain is that you never step foot in this city again—this state, in fact. You live your life and you stay silent, and you leave us completely alone. And as long as you do, I will make sure you're never extradited to face charges." Then he cleared his throat, and when he went on, his voice was deep and dark. "But the moment I hear that you have returned, or that you are interfering in anyway—providing information, even from a distance… I will find you Dane. Just like I have today. You can be certain of that."

Dane blew out a breath and squeezed Lila's hand. "You have nothing to worry about, Felix. I have no desire to ever see your face, or any of your people, again. And that includes my brother."

"Yes, your brother," Felix growled, like a frustrated parent. "Any tips for restraining his… enthusiasm?"

Dane snorted. "You're on your own there, Felix. Just keep him out of my way."

"He'll be far too busy running his empire to give too much thought to you, Dane, you know that."

Dane shook his head and almost smiled. Almost. "Is there anything else?" he asked carefully.

"No. Just… know that I can find you if I need to. But that I won't as long as you keep yourself to yourself. Oh, and I hope your wife weathers the pregnancy well. That's a very special time."

Dane blinked. "Um… thank you."

"Chris told me," Felix explained. "Or rather, he croaked, something about a bitch having puppies, then wrote out a note explaining."

Dane's jaw tightened, but he reminded himself it was just a taunt. "Lovely," he said flatly.

Felix sighed again. "Very well, I will let you go now, Dane."

"Will you, Felix?"

"Yes, I will. But I will keep tabs on you, just to be certain. As long as your nose is clean, you have no reason to be worried about me, son. You know I've always liked you."

"I like you too, Felix," he said, his mouth twisting on the lie.

Felix laughed. "You really need to work on your powers of deception, Dane. Farewell, friend. May we never meet again!"

The phone beeped and Dane stared at it for a minute. Then he looked at Lila. Her mouth was open.

"Did that really just happen?" she asked breathlessly.

"I think so?" he said and put the phone down in the cupholder of the car, staring at it. "I think… I think I'll just leave it here," he said, his voice very small. "I think I'll leave all of it here."

Lila nodded. Then, without a word, they both got out of the car. Dane grabbed the bag and box from the trunk, then took her hand and led her to the hangar.