“No, let me see it. You could be lying.”
Annoyed, Patterson gripped the seam of the Ziplock bag that housed the gun and unwrapped it, exposing the piece.
Asako’s chest grew tight at the sight of a gun she knew belonged to her father first then her brother. She had seen the custom pearl handle enough times to recognize it. Another reason she knew her brother would be screwed if Patterson decided to present the gun as evidence for what happened that night. It was a family heirloom handed down by their father.
“Talk.”
“He has a big shipment coming in. It’s worth a lot of money.”
“How much money?” Patterson got excited but controlled his reaction.
“Half a mil,” Asako lied quickly.
“Half a million dollars?” The look of skepticism filled Patterson’s face.
“Yes, I heard him talking about it.”
“When?”
“Today. I was in the bathroom. He didn’t know I was listening, but I heard him. I know when it’s coming in. Youcan be there to get it. I’m sure it’s more than enough to keep those men from killing you.” She smirked and Patterson wasn’t amused by her taunting.
“This little cute act is not helping your case. I suggest you show a little more respect.”
“Respect?” Asako was a ball of nerves but refused to let it show. “You don’t deserve respect. I was at a low point in my life and you’re exploiting my bad decisions. That’s on me, but right now you need me, so I suggest thatyoushow a little more respect.”
Patterson gritted his teeth but kept his cool. “When is the shipment coming in?”
“I’ll tell you soon. Right now, I need to make a few plans.”
“No, you’ll tell me now,” he gritted, getting anxious.
“I said soon.” Asako grinned then turned to walk away. Patterson watched, knowing he didn’t have a choice. She was his last resort, and if she came through with the information he needed, he was going to be a happy man and Asako was going to be on a missing person’s report. Patterson never intended on letting her walk. Instead he planned on putting a bullet in her head from the same gun that held her hostage to him all these years. With everything she knew about him, she was a risk and not one he was willing to take.
“Ay,I’m looking for East. They told me next door that he was over here.” Vega flashed a charming smile to Pia whose eyelashes fluttered at the sight of the man standing before her. She didn’t know who he was, but she knew she wanted to find out.
“He’s uh, yeah, he’s here. Can I ask who you are?”
Vega’s smile stretched wider and Pia’s heart rate increased. “Vega, and you are?”
“Yours,” Pia flirted, extending her hand across the counter to him. Vega chuckled and looked down at it before he accepted and gripped her thin fingers.
“Someone already has paperwork on my heart, but if she didn’t, I would gladly take you up on that offer.” Vega kissed the back of Pia’s hand before releasing it and delivering a wink along with his charming smile.
“Well damn. I’m jealous of a woman I don’t even know.” Pia shook her head and dialed East’s office. She was no fool. As handsome as the man was, she knew better than to send anyone to East without clearance.
“Ay, boss, there’s a Vega out here asking for you. You want me to send him back?”
East frowned, wondering why Vega was here, but agreed to see him, telling Pia to send him back.
A few minutes later, Vega was walking through his door. “My bad for just pulling up on you but I wanted to holla at you about something,” Vega announced as soon as he laid eyes on East who pointed to the metal chair in the corner.
“That’s all I can offer you. This place isn’t set up for visitors.”
Vega chuckled and nodded, grabbing the chair and posting it in front of East’s tiny desk. “That’s cool. I won’t be here long. This shit makes me feel claustrophobic.”
East smirked and nodded. “I’m not here enough to do anything with it. Numbers runs this side.”
“That’s right. Shit, I haven’t seen him since I touched down. He good?”
