“I don’t believe—he would never… he doesn’t know this.”
“How does he not know about something this big?”
“I don’t know, but he wouldn’t do this.”
“You think? Zahra, I’m pretty sure every proof of his fucked-up agenda is right before you. I should have seen this coming.”
“But it’s not—”
“Open your eyes, Zahra. Would he really tell you about something so secret? Something that pertains to you? You think you know everything about Elio Marino?”
I couldn’t respond to that. My chest drew tight, and I felt so betrayed that I wanted to pull my walls down and shoot everyone trying to get in.
“I warned you. Fucking hell, Zahra, he’s been distracting you from the bigger picture. We have to act fast and act now.”
“There’s no acting now.” My voice was hard as I straightened,wiping forcefully at my cheeks. “This is big, Vitale. It’s more than we prepared for.”
“We can start by bringing down P. Deluxe.”
I tried to level my breathing as I exited out of all the documents, finding the one regarding P. Deluxe and sending the details to Vitale. “I sent you all you need. Bring it down.”
“And you?”
“I have to handle Street. I’ll call you.” I ended the call.
I had deviated, forgotten how ruthless these people could be, forgotten what had made Elio who he was. I had forgotten that he was a liar, just like me, and he was skilled at it, perfect— if not more perfect than I was.
Even after registering all this, I still needed to hear him say it. I needed the confirmation of his deceit, of his lies. I needed a reason to kill this feeling of betrayal and replace it with the hate I so badly wanted to feel.
But more than anything, I wanted to be wrong.
I needed to be wrong.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Zahra
It was nighttime before I reached the location I had traced Street to. I had spent hours getting information about what had happened after I left. Not all the gold had been removed, but about two containers had left with Marino’s people before the place collapsed, leaving many dead.
I had no information about who was hurt and who was not, but I knew Street was in a hospital in the city.
Walking into the building, I spotted some of Marino’s men around the area; they watched me but didn’t stop me. Something in the air told me I wasn’t welcome here.
I knew that, too, and that was why I wouldn’t be here for long.
The receptionist directed me toward the room they were in.
I was nervous and a little scared. I carried a heavy heart as I stepped out of the elevator, walked toward the room, and stopped in front of the door.
This wasn’t exactly what I had planned. But it was nobody else’s fault but mine.
I breathed, hoping it would calm the tightness in my chest. When it didn’t, I pushed the door open and walked in.
Their talking halted, and my gaze zeroed in on Dog, who was on the bed, sitting up—alive—he was all right, even with the bandage around his head and a broken arm. He was okay, he was alive.
This time, when I released a breath, it freed some of the tightness in my chest.
Milk stood beside Dog on the bed. Upper was on the seat at the other side of the bed, and Devil was by the window; all eyes were on me.
