“The Albanians are more like cockroaches than you think. They surge up in waves.”
“No,” he ground out. “Tonight, we eradicate them.”
I just shrugged. “Why are you telling me this?”
Sucking on his cigar, he made a ring with the smoke. “Because you’ll return to New York soon enough and the resulting fallout could cause… problems.
“Our mutual friend’s the reason we looked into both of you, and she’s why we knew daughters of the Irish Mob were on our turf.
“I recognized Kitty’s name. Her friendship with Beatriz… My niece had spoken of her friends prior to her death. Kitty offered Beatriz’s mother comfort before and after the funeral. Such kindness did not deserve… that.” As my gaze cut to the carnage, my brain couldn’t even linger on the prospect of finding Kitty only to lose her in the same day. Martinez, unaware of my thoughts, continued, “When we learned of their accommodations, the situation had to be dealt with.”
Thank fuck.
“You’re covering your ass,” I still accused.
“Yes.” He ran his fingers through his hair, for once seeming ruffled. “And so that you know our mutual friend’s death was not our fault?—”
“Wait, they died?”
“The news just came in. She was in possession of as many allies as enemies, and I want those allies to know that the Albanianslearned of her presence in Cancún and decided now was the time to act. Apparently, she recently killed someone high up their ranks back home.
“I am, however, taking steps to ensure their annihilation. Her passing will not go unavenged.”
Unease filled me as my suspicions over the friend’s identity coalesced. “Who are we talking about?”
My eyes widened when he braced himself. “You know her as Dead To Me.”
TWENTY-SIX
KITTY
Playlist recommendation:
Supermassive Black Hole - Muse
I climbed into a distressingly empty bed.
After Stan’s declaration, I’d hoped for a bed partner-cum-distraction.
Instead, he’d guided me to the door that led to my suite, chastely kissed my knuckles like a hero from a Regency romance, and only left once he’d heard the click of the lock.
The explosions, the aftermath of which blared loud and clear in the distance, should have subsumed the bulk of my thoughts.
Key word beingshould.
If anything, my mind fixated on him.
His kiss.
His sorrow.
