Free Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) by Scarlet Wolfe Page B

shoving my dinner plate forward, I take another drink to calm my nerves.
    “You know, we have to discuss what we’re going to do about Noah and me playing poker in the lounge. My sergeant questioned me today. This problem isn’t going to go away on its own, and I sure can’t ask for another vacation.”
    Adrian’s sadness takes shelter in his walnut colored eyes before he lowers his head. “I don’t want you doing it. There has to be another way. I wish there was another person we could plant in there.”
    “I know someone who would help me out, but I can’t put her in that kind of danger.”
    Adrian’s head jerks up, and I instantly regret opening my mouth.
    “Who?”
    I sigh. “My friend, Tara. Remember how she moved to the Royal lounge once I assaulted Mr. Glover?”
    “Right, Tara, the girl who helped me with the shopping.”
    “Yes, she’s right where we need her, but I can’t put her in danger.”
    “Better her than you, Victoria. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”
    “She’s an employee. That would never fly with the members.”
    “No, but she could get close to Noah in other ways.”
    I give an adamant no with a shake of my head.
    “He beat the shit out of a stripper after he tied her to his bed. Then, he had her murdered when he thought she was going to tell the authorities. I can’t risk Tara’s safety.”
    Adrian groans loudly. “I hate this. There has to be another way to bust him. I need to tell you something. Simon and Zev have been buying drugs from Noah.
    “We destroy them after, but they’re doing deals, hoping to find out something about Ferrera. Hell, no one has even seen John Ferrera’s face. The FBI doesn’t even know his identity.”
    “Do you understand how dangerous it is to be buying drugs?”
    “I do, but we’d rather take the risk than all of us end up in prison.”
    I nod. He does have a point there. I want to go back to Arizona with Adrian and stay in our own little world, but that can never happen again if we don’t nail Sanders and this Ferrera.
    Once Sergeant Bishop let Reggie and me in on more details about Noah’s case, we found out the word on the street from lower-level dealers is that Noah is the only one who knows John Ferrera.
    I then found out in Arizona from Adrian’s team that Larios, the drug lord in Juarez, claims Ferrera is top dog here in Vegas. The good news about that is he’s reachable. He’s in Sin City, and I will find him one way or another.

Chapter Ten
    Adrian
     
    I'm at my desk when Zev steps in.
    “Hey, Ace. Glad you’re back. I heard things are good between you and Victoria, too.”
    “Yeah, things are good between us, but I don’t know what lies ahead with our bullshit here.” I lean back in my chair. “Shut the door. There are some things we need to discuss.” My hands slide down my face as I wait for privacy.
    “I need to discuss something with you, too.”
    “I’ll get you a photo later of the cop in your lounge. Her real name is Megan, but Victoria said she’s going by Marcy. As challenging as it will be, don’t let her know you’re aware of who she is. Let her do business as usual.
    “Victoria doesn’t believe Megan is a threat. Unless she’s doing something out of the ordinary, leave her be. The servers don’t know about the tax evasion, and a client who spends time with her isn’t going to tell, so hopefully she’ll become bored soon enough.”
    “OK, fine. What else?” Zev finally takes a seat in front of my desk.
    “Noah Sanders. He’s more dangerous than I thought. I found out he’s responsible for a stripper’s murder and having Victoria assaulted back when she was in the hospital.”
    Zev’s mouth falls open a bit, and I see his hands snap into fists as they rest on the arms of the leather chair.
    “He’s who I wanted to talk to you about. He’s cheating in the Royal lounge.”
    “You’re certain?”
    “Yes, and I’m not sure how to handle the situation. I wanted your