“Call me spoiled.”
Cross settled onto the bench across from her, the mug warm between his palms. “So… Dunlop.”
Her shoulders lifted. “He’s a mess. But a well-intentioned one. He’s Rodriguez’s cousin. He got picked up for armed robbery, which he didn’t do. It’s a long story,” she said, waving him off.
“I think he’s the guy who outted Tessa. We faked her death, but she says Dunlop might have known she wasn’t on the up and up with Rodriguez. He probably said something that put Rodriguez on the scent.”
Drew nodded. “That sounds about right. Probably had no idea what he was doing but just blurted out something.” She frowned.
“What?” Cross asked. “What haven’t you told me? I’m guessing there’s more?”
Drew nodded. “Yeah. You’re not gonna like it.”
“Try me.” Cross folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the counter.
She leaned back, mug resting on her thigh. “The bounty? It’s not a hundred grand.”
Cross stiffened. “What?”
“It’s two-fifty. Two hundred and fifty thousand. Dead or alive, but preferably alive.”
He stared at her, unmoving.
“He was trying to stiff me back there. Made me laugh. I’m a woman, so I get paid less? Or maybe he figured he had to give Charlie some, so he’d split it between us.” She chuckled mirthlessly.
“That’s cartel-level money,” Cross muttered.
“Yup, it is cartel money,” Drew said. “Rodriguez wants you bad. He thinks if he gets you, he gets Tessa. I have no idea what all this is about, but I’m guessing it’s more than just he’s pissed because his girlfriend left him.”
Cross swore under his breath, rubbing his jaw. “Son of a bitch.”
“There’s more,” Drew continued.
He looked up sharply.
“The Weasel’s in play.”
Every muscle in Cross’s body froze like he’d just submerged in an ice bath.
He set his mug down slowly. “Are you sure?”
“Dunlop heard it. Rodriguez is spreading cash fast and wide. Word’s out. The Weasel took the contract.”
“Jesus.” Cross pushed to his feet and started to pace the small room. Not like that helped. Three steps to one side of the room, three strides back. “I thought that guy was dead.” Hoped. Hoped the guy was dead. He’d heard a lot of whispers about the Weasel and none of them pleasant. People were terrified of the guy, and Cross knew it was with good reason. He’d seen something once that people claimed was the Weasel at work. He never wanted to see that kind of shit again. He’d tortured a guy in the worst way possible, causing an incredible amount of pain before slicing him open and letting his guts fall out.
“Nope,” Drew shook her head. “He’s still kickin’ and he’s slippery as hell. They say he doesn't stop once he's locked on.”
Cross dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve seen what he does. Silent entry, target neutralized, no trace unless he’s been requested to send a message. One guy in Haiti said he found the Weasel’s calling card in the form of a severed thumb. Just the thumb.”
Drew grimaced. “Lovely.”
“He doesn’t fail, Drew.” He wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t know.
She stayed quiet. He knew that kind of silence. She was calculating, planning. Thinking three moves ahead.
“It’s not just about you anymore,” she said quietly. “Rodriguez knows I’m here and I didn’t take his hundred K to sell you out so now I’m an enemy. He strikes me as a ‘if you’re not with me, you’re against me’ type of guy. He won’t let me just walk away. That would hurt his ego.” She let out a long sigh. “Now that bounty is public, you’re gonna have every merc, skip tracer, and wannabe glory hound chasing your shadow. Rodriguez made sure of it.”
Cross looked over at her. Her skin was pale, as if she was frightened. She was doing her best to hide it—but her eyes gave her away. They looked haunted. He knew her tells. She’d gutted it out in the tunnel like a soldier, but it hadn’t been easy. Not for someone who hated bugs and tight spaces. And still, she hadn’t complained once. It tugged something inside him—something fierce and irrational. He wanted to pull her close, tell her she didn’t have to be the tough one tonight. But that was dangerous.
