He’s right, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I want to be more involved than I already am.
Silence surrounds us before my impulse control leaves my body. “What was it exactly?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I do know it’s likely Upper Paleolithic.”
“I don’t know what that means,” I murmur.
“Stone Age, basically. I’ve never seen a piece like the one in the cave from this era before, but if that’s what it is … then it’s beyond priceless.” His voice has a tinge of awe mixed with something I can’t place.
Anger maybe? Although, I have no clue why he would be angry.
“I’m so confused.” My head tilts back so I can look at the stars. “I thought Cano was just about drugs. How does”—my hands flail around—“all of this factor in?”
“The drugs are mostly a cover. I mean, it still makes him good money, but it’s really just the forward-facing part of his cartel. The real stuff is the artifacts. The artwork.”
“And how does he get all of this stuff?”
When Chris doesn’t answer, I shift to look at him. His eyebrow is up, like he’s asking if I’m serious. “Shit. It’s all stolen?”
“We’re already in too deep, I suppose. Most are, yes. Some are legitimately bought, but those are the exception, not the rule.”
“So this is, like, what? Pirate shit? Next, you’ll tell me they use big ships to transport everything?”
Chris’s laugh should put me at ease; it usually does, but not this time. “Sadly, no. But that’s not a bad way to look at it. It is kind of a modern-day pirate business.”
“And you’re just okay with this?” The higher my voice gets, the closer I am to hysterics. I can feel it just on the edge of my consciousness.
He sighs., “It’s business.”
Two words, but they seem so much more complex. There’s more to this; there has to be.
I push off the ground, sending the swing into motion again. Chris mirrors my actions as I try to come to terms with everything he’s told me.
Ten minutes could pass, or it could be an hour—I’ve lost track—but when I do finally speak, I shock myself. “I want in.”
Chapter 9
Adam
What the actual fuck?
“Excuse me?”
Did I run into a Nova from a different universe after I dropped off the artifact at Oscar’s apartment? Maybe a long-lost twin?
“I want in. As a runner or, I don’t know, researcher maybe?” She nods to herself like she’s making this up as she goes but she’s liking the plan.
Dear God, did I just drag her into this?Talk about fucking up.
“No.” My voice is almost a growl, but I’ve already said too much to this woman, and I’m sure as hell not bringing her into the fold. She’s already too tight in Oscar’s grip. I won’t be the one to make it impossible for her to get out.
“I didn’t ask.” That strong-willed stubbornness I saw from her the very first time I saw her at Bella’s is in full force.
“I’m telling you because I owe you an explanation, not because I want you in Oscar’s clutches more.”
“Yeah, and you don’t make decisions for me.”
“I will if it involves getting into this.”
