“You’re better off,” Decker said.

“You mean, she’s better off.” Donatti took a gulp of scotch. “Fuck the past. I’m a big boy. So I don’t own her. But I’m sure as hell renting her. And believe me, I’ve got her on a long-term lease. Besides, Terry isn’t the issue here. So forget about Terry. You’ve got other problems. At the moment, your problem is camped out with me and very happy to be there.”

Decker felt his blood pressure rise, and that wasn’t doing anyone any good. “She’s in one piece?”

“Absolutely.”

“What’s her mental condition?”

“Very agitated. I found her that way. Right now, she won’t talk about it. That’s okay. I don’t need to know details.”

“What are you doing with her?”

“Just letting her chill. I don’t pimp, but if I did, I wouldn’t ever send anyone out like that. Way too unstable.”

“So you’re just letting her have free room and board, and asking nothing in return?”

“That about sums it up. Could be she’ll chill for a day or two, and I’ll never see her again. That’s a chance I always take. The other possibility is, she’ll want to do me favors. I stay in touch with all my girls, Decker. They’re out there on the streets—some selling their butts at their own risk, some are even working legit jobs. They’re my eyes and ears. They keep me connected to what’s going on because they’re very grateful to me.”

“Scared of you?”

“Same thing.”

“She’s safe?”

“Yes, Shayndie is safe.”

Saying her name. Showing Decker that he was legit. His eyes bore into Donatti’s. “You screwing her, Donatti?”

“Nah… not yet. But if she stays with me long enough, I will.” Donatti stared back. “Sex promotes loyalty.”

“What do you do with the boys?”

“Like I said… sex promotes loyalty.” A sly smile played on Donatti’s lips. “Nervous about being around me, Lieutenant?”

Decker wagged his finger at Chris’s face.

Donatti laughed. “I do whatever I have to do to get the job done. None of it is thrilling. To my kids—girls and boys—sex is lying on your back, squeezing your eyes shut, being real still, and letting Uncle George or Daddy do his thing. Between you and these four walls, I’d much rather fuck your wife—”

Decker was on him before the kid knew what hit him. He slammed Donatti against the wall, using all his weight to keep him pinned and helpless while he clamped his hands around his throat. He hissed, “We need to establish some ground rules, Chris.”

Then Decker heard the click, felt something hard pressed between his legs.

Donatti choked out, “Let… go…of… me!”

Decker tightened his hands around Chris’s throat. “So shoot me, you son of a bitch! Then what’ll you have? A big bloody mess on your hands.” But he loosened his grip. “My wife is off-limits! Understand?”

The gun pressed harder against Decker’s groin. Donatti’s face was red from anger and lack of oxygen. “Let! Go!”