Free Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) by Scarlet Wolfe Page B

man, and this is her way out.”
    My brother buries his face in his hands. Damn, I thought I had it bad today. “Bro, I’m sorry.”
    “I don’t want to be the weekend dad. Our parents had a great marriage, and I chose Karen because I thought our love was the forever kind.”
    My brows cinch together as I recall Victoria’s last words.
    “Theo, is there anything I can do? Would you like me to speak with Karen?”
    “No.” He finally looks up, and his defeat is etched around his eyes in dark circles. “I can’t forgive her for the affair, and I don’t think she wants me to.”
    His hand waves toward the door. “And now Blanca’s deceit. I was going to need her help now more than ever as I try to work out the divorce and visitation.”
    I go to my brother and place my hand on his shoulder.
    “I’ll get us someone we can trust. Let me handle it.” He’s robotic as he nods and stands. He walks out of my office, and I’m in need of another drink.

Zev
     
    There’s a knock on my office door, so I stand to answer it. “Victoria, what are you doing here?”
    “Hi, I wanted to speak to you about tomorrow night.” She sniffles as she glances back down the hallway.
    “Come in. Are you OK?”
    “Adrian and I had a fight, but he said you’re a little nervous about the Feds, so I wanted to tell you how it will go down. I’ve witnessed something similar before.”
    “That would be great.”
    Victoria proceeds to fill me in on what should happen when the FBI busts my drug deal with Sanders. I’m only more nervous at the start, but by the end of our conversation, my anxiety has settled a bit.
    I so badly want to discuss a couple of things with her, but I’m worried about the reaction I will receive.
    “I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. Knowing what to expect helps a lot.” I continue to stare at Victoria, and I’m tapping my foot.
    “Zev, is there something you want to say?”
    “I hope you and Adrian can work out whatever problem you’re having. You two are good together.”
    “He made a serious mistake by suggesting I find someone else if he goes to prison.”
    “Shit, that was a dumbass move.”
    “I thought so, too, so I’m going to make him suffer a while. Then, he better have come to his senses.”
    I silently stare at her once again, and this time I’m chewing on my bottom lip. 
    Fuck, what should I do?
    “Xavier, I’ve been a cop long enough to know you’re stalling.”
    “I want to tell you something, but I’m unsure if it will be my dumbass move.”
    “OK. Who is it about?”
    “Tara.”
    “She’s a good friend to me. If there’s something I should know about her, then you better tell me.”
    My fingers lace behind my head, and I blow out a breath. “Shit, she’s going to be pissed, but as much as I’m trying to be there for her, she also needs a girlfriend right now.”
    “Is this about her needing a job?”
    “I wish. No, it’s something much more serious.”

Victoria
     
    “Noah tried to bargain with me. He would only agree to bigger deals if I gave him a night with Tara. He said it was to establish trust. Of course, I refused,” Zev says.
    “I already liked her, and I might be a dick to women, but I’m not that big of an asshole. I suspected he might mistreat her. What I didn’t know was that Tara overheard this conversation.”
    “Oh, god. What did she do?”
    “While I was visiting my mother, she went to one of our Submission rooms with Noah.” Zev stands from his chair and strolls toward me. “Now, before I show you this, you have to promise me that you’re not going to do that impulsive shit you’re notorious for doing.”
    “OK,” I say drawn out.
    “I mean it, Victoria. It’s a serious situation that could jeopardize Tara’s safety.”
    “Just show me. I’ll keep my cool.” He blows out a long breath as he pulls his phone from his pocket.
    “This is what he did to her…” Zev scrolls through his phone and begins to show me