Page 63 of Made of Steele
“Maybe.” She closed her eyes tight to try to regain her emotional footing. “But for now, remember there are people who care for you and to be careful.”
“I’ll do my best.” He squeezed her hand and headed for the door. He slid it open on the track, the sound groaning like her heart as he walked away from her, all alone and heading into danger.
17
Drew turned into the parking lot for the single story warehouse in the commercial area of northeast Portland. He scanned the area with his binoculars, noting a lack of signs save the address numbers on the building. Two SUV’s were parked by a loading dock, one he recognized as belonging to Sal Conti. The other had to be Rossi’s vehicle.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
It was show time.
He rolled slowly across the lot and backed his vehicle in for easy departure should he need to flee. After checking the magazine on his sidearm, he got out. The chilly night air under overcast clouds smacked him in the face.
Good.It would help to erase the lingering heat from his crazy kiss with Teagan. He’d never expected that to happen. The few detached brain cells he’d managed to retain kept screaming at him to let her go and stop kissing her, but she’d felt too good. Smelled too good. Thankfully, reality did finally seep in. He couldn’t act on his feelings. No matter his desire. But man, with the way he responded, it was clear he wanted the kiss—wanted her. And he wanted the kiss to go on and on.
And a lot more with her.
In the ugly world he’d inhabited for the last year, she was pure and good and had given him hope.
“Don’t botch this then, so you can get back to her,” he said under his breath as he charged up the steps and pushed open the small metal door next to the big loading doors.
Inside stood Sal Conti, Rossi, and the same thug who’d been with Rossi when Drew and Teagan had first spied on the man here.
Sal pointed Drew’s way. “That’s Dylan.”
The thug spun and marched across the room. “I’ll take your gun.”
Drew didn’t want to relinquish his sidearm, but if he wanted to make progress with Rossi, he had no choice. He planted it in the thug’s palm with undue force, noting the man wore latex gloves. The guy shoved it into his waistband and used his big paws to search Drew. Felt like a giant bear without the extended claws patting him down.
Drew had to bite his tongue not to say something that might get him in trouble.
“He’s clean,” the thug yelled. “No weapons and no wire.”
“Join us,” Rossi said. “Any friend of the Contis’ is a friend of mine.”
Drew wanted to hurl at the creep’s congenial yet cocky behavior. “As Sal said, I’m Dylan Crane. And you are?”
“Chauncey Rossi.”
Drew got straight to the point. “Well, Mr. Rossi, let’s get this party started. Sal says you’ll share your product in trade for our cash. But I gotta see the product first.”
Rossi’s eyes narrowed. “What? No time to get to know each other first?”
Drew firmed his stance but felt naked without his sidearm. “I’ve gotten to know the Contis this past year, and they can vouch for me. No reason to dance around the point of this meeting.”
“He’s right,” Sal said, but his tone was indecisive. “We vouch for him.”
Rossi eyed Drew. “As much as I respect Sal and his brothers, my supplier would expect me to be more careful before handing over our product.”
“Supplier?” Drew didn’t have to fake his surprise at this development. “I thought you were the big cheese.”
“Oh, I am as far as you’re concerned. The only time you’ll meet my supplier is if you’ve made the unforgivable mistake of trying to double-cross us.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Drew had to work hard to keep his mind from pouring over the fact that Rossi wasn’t the top dog. Drew wouldn’t cut off the legs of this operation simply by taking Rossi off the streets. “Let me tell you a few things about me so we can move forward.”
Drew gave a concise description of his bogus past, making sure not to embellish too much, which was the sign of a liar. When people told the truth they stuck with the facts. Those who lied often added unnecessary details.
Rossi nodded and looked at the thug. “Let’s get the man a sample.”
