A punch to the kidneys and he’s doubled over in pain. “You might want to rethink your strategy and if you don’t understand big words, I can clear it up for you. You give me a name, or I leave you so beat up, you won’t remember mine.”
“If I say anything, he’ll kill me, so what’s the diff?”
“Wahl, here’s the thing. You cooperate and I give you a chance to run. If not, I’ll drag you out into the street, shake your hand, and take a selfie of us bein’ best pals. I’ll also let Vincent Vitale’s men know what y’all were up to. What’s it gonna be?” I step back, keep my gun on him, and pull out my camera.
“Put it down. It was a guy named Alvarez. He runs with the Sureños.”
I let him go. “Good luck… and don’t forget your puppy.”
Shit. I got two of the worst gangs in the US wanting to kidnap my son.
Time to call for assistance. “I need a safe house and a gun-toting nanny.”
“On it. Where are you?” After I text Slate my in-law’s address, he hangs up, and I curse. The Kings won’t stop until everyone I love is dead.
Chapter Eight
Sam
If it weren’t for Dashiell Montclair, first class would be a delight, and I’d be sound asleep. All I want is to close my eyes, but he’s determined to pick my brain and it requires full self-control to prevent my inner snark monster from biting his head off.
For hours, I’ve tried to reason with her.If we keep him happy, we could ask for future recommendations and use the money to hire help. Best of all, Suds and I would have more time for sex!
I must’ve dozed off because he pokes me in the arm. “Samantha? What do you think?”
Oh my God. Will this man ever shut the fuck up?“I’m sorry, my mind was wandering. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Say again?” I check my phone for the time and moan. We don’t land for hours.
“I hope I won’t regret hiring you.” He’s nowhere near as handsome when he’s being an asshole.
“It’s hardly fair to judge me after one day, and a Sunday, at that.” My tone cool and collected, I shoot him a look. The topic needs no further discussion.
“I apologize. This case is a big deal. It could mean a promotion for me.”
“Then why not focus on a positive outcome? Someone stole a shipment of dolls and blew them up. Why? What would they have to gain?” It’s a dangerous game I play.
As far as I know, he has no idea the toys were soaked in fentanyl or how Patten Securities destroyed the truck to keep it from The Kings. No doubt, the Chinese aren’t happy either. It was their shit to begin with.
Except for a select few, no one is aware of what happened, not the DEA or the FBI, and I’d like to keep it that way, but this Dash guy is clever. If I slip up, he’ll be on it like white on rice.
I picture the resume that Suds sent to me. “I think we’re going to need an inside man and I’ve got the perfect person. High tech degree. Flew drones in the military. Young, smart, captivating, but in a geeky kind of way. And comes highly recommended. Before I ask if they’re interested, I wanted to run it by you.”
Dragging out my laptop, I click a few times, and put Lanita Manuel’s cover page in front of him. “She goes by Landy.”
His brows raise and as he studies the brunette’s picture, he nods. “Hire her.”
Glad to do something other than fend off his questions, I fire off an email. Then, together we work on what to say to CloudTekToy’s CEO. By the time we land, my eyelids droop, craving a soft warm hotel bed and a glass of wine. Mr. Dashaholic, however, insists we continue the conversation over dinner.
God save me from over-zealous clients. Mentally rewriting our contract to keep this from ever happening again, I agree to a meal, insisting we dine here.
“Meet you downstairs in thirty.”
Done checking in, I race upstairs, pee, and drop onto the bed. I wish like hell I could sleep for a few minutes, but I promised Suds I’d call. At the sound of his voice, my heart races.
The laid-back southerner has been replaced by SEAL-guy and I brace for bad news. “What’s happened?”
“Don’t worry. I got this.” His curt tone freaks me out and having been grilled by Dash for hours, I’m in no mood for a game of twenty questions.
“Start downloading and no rambling.”
