The sun beats down on the truck lot, transforming chrome bumpers into blinding mirrors. I shield my eyes while scanning the rows of semis until I spot him.
Ronnie Matheson leans against his rig, cigarette dangling from his lips, scraggly brown hair suggesting he hasn’t bathed in the last few days. Tucked between two parked Peterbilts, Ronnie doesn’t spot us yet. The other driver is inside, chatting to a waitress.
I nod to Vanya, who flashes me a smile and slides a hand inside his suit jacket. Ivan Orlov, or Vanya to his closest friends and family, could pass for an actor with his classically handsome features, rich brown hair, and warm hazel eyes. He’s certainly got enough charisma to rival a movie star.
Maxim Belov looms like a rugged mannequin, moving only to push his disheveled black hair from his arctic blue eyes. Max’s scowl surfaces as easily as Vanya’s smile.
Vitaly hangs back, checking his phone. My younger half-brother’s still pissed that I’ve been secretly pursuing leads on MJ. We may share a father and the same curly brown hair, but that’s where the similarities end. Regardless, I’m glad he’s here. Glad the others are too.
Four of us for one overweight truck driver.
Overkill? Maybe.
But Ronnie’s been running his mouth to the Falcones, and now one of our shipments has gone missing.
We approach from different angles, cutting off his escape routes while keeping an eye out for any witnesses. Thankfully, no one’s around.
Ronnie clocks us when we’re twenty feet away. His bulky body goes rigid, and his eyes dart between us as he calculates his odds.
They’re not good.
“Gentlemen.” He drops the cigarette and grinds the stub beneath his boot. “Didn’t expect company today.”
Vanya lounges against the massive tire of Ronnie’s truck, all casual grace and lazy smiles. The most lethal kind of predator…one who hides behind a disarming face. “We were in the area, and it’s a beautiful day for a chat, isn’t it? Thought we’d catch up, see how business is treating you.”
Despite the breeze, sweat beads on Ronnie’s upper lip. He crosses his arms over his chest and plants his feet wide. But I can see the fear in his eyes. Smell it on him.
“I’m on a schedule.” He glances at his watch. “Got a delivery in Milwaukee?—”
“No, you don’t.” I step forward, the silver coin I toss between my fingers gleaming in the sunlight. “Your manifest says you’re empty. Heading back to the depot.”
His eyes widen. “You checked my?—”
“We check everything.” This is so much easier than dealing with Aurora. Here, Iknowwhat needs to be done. “The question is why you didn’t check the cargo before you sold information to the Falcones.”
His throat works on a swallow. “I don’t know what you’re?—”
“Forty-eight crates of GPUs.” I close my fist around the coin. “Worth about two million retail. Missing from a warehouse you cleared out Tuesday night.”
Greasy hair flies when he shakes his head. “I just drive the truck, man. I don’t?—”
“See, that’s where you’re making a mistake, Ronnie.” Vanya pushes off from the tire with a predatory smile. “You’re lying to us, which means you think we’re stupid.” He gestures around the lot. “Do we look stupid to you?”
Ronnie’s attention shifts between us. “Look, I don’t want trouble. I’ve got a family.” His voice cracks on the last word.
“Yes, you do.” I edge closer. “Your sister lives in Naperville, right? On Elm Street. She has a kid.”
Ronnie’s innocent act crumbles, and blood drains from his face. “You stay the fuck away from my family.”
“That’s entirely up to you.” I toss the coin and catch it without looking. “Tell us where the rig is, Ronnie. GPUs are traceable. You can’t unload them. This only ends one way.”
He spits. “Go to hell.”
I don’t flinch as the saliva lands inches from my boot. Instead, I shove forward until we’re chest to chest, his back trapped against the truck’s fuel tank.
“Your nephew, Jake, is a cute little boy. Drives a blue tricycle on the sidewalk. He starts kindergarten soon. Would be a shame if he never made it.” My voice drops lower. “Elm Street is well-known for distracted drivers going too fast.”
“You wouldn’t.” But his eyes confirm that he knows I would.
