Page 73 of Angelic Vengeance

“There is nothing on this Earth that can save you.” I spoke calmly, yet my words only came out more chilling than if I’d screamed them. “I will find you. And I will cut your fucking head off like the parasite you are.”

“Yes, of course. But before you go ahead and do that, you might want to look at the folder on your kitchen island first.” She hung up.Fucking bi–

I hit the payphone on the pay-box repeatedly, before throwing it and letting it hang from the cord.

I ran down the street before whistling down a taxi. Half an hour later I was rushing out of my building elevator and into my apartment. With my gun out, I scanned the premises.Nothing.

My eyes landed on the thin folder sitting on the kitchen island.

I opened it carefully, looking inside, and my heart dropped.

Several information onDiablo, from locations to bank statements, including a blurry picture of him with me.

My cellphone rang with an unknown number. I picked up.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice your new little kingpin boyfriend? You two go way back, huh?”

“What do you want?” I cut straight to the chase. I didn’t have time for her stupid mind games.

“It’s quite simple actually. You do something for me, and I won’t kill you.”

I scoffed. “You’re deranged.”

Ruiz’s snarky words came through the phone. “Please. It’s not like you actually love him. That would require a heart. And we both know you don’t have that.”

I should’ve been scared about Ruiz being in my home. Instead, I was ten times more terrified of the ache in my chest. Her comment left behind more blood than I would ever admit.

“He’s quite a catch… Capo of the Mexican Cartel with control of all North and South America. Not even talking about imports and exports worldwide…”

“Get to the fucking point.”

“You have twenty-four hours to kill the world’s biggest narcotics trafficker and clear all of your charges. If you fail, a new file will be sent out.On both of you.”

I gasped, waking up and sitting up on the couch. I’d fallen asleep after scheming a plan to find and take out Ruiz before she could attack first.

Still, in my sleep haze, blood iced in my veins as a large form brushed past me. But then I looked up to see familiar dark hair and tattoos, and my heart dropped.

Surprised and confused, I sat up properly, trying to make my ruffled hair look presentable. “Zach… Hi. What are you doing here?”

I watched him set takeout boxes on the coffee table before turning to me with a smile. “I grabbed dinner on the way here.”

I glanced towards the entry hallway. It was still dark out. I must’ve only been asleep for a few hours. “How did you get in?”

“Front door was unlocked. You should be more careful. Lot of bad people out there.” His smile didn’t falter, though it didn’t reach his eyes like I thought I remembered.

He took a seat next to me on the couch, and out of habit, I leaned in. When my lips were inches away from his, I closed my eyes, only to feel the ghost of a kiss on my forehead. I blinked, surprised he didn’t pull me in for more like he always did.

Instead, he opened the food and began eating. I forced myself to shrug it off; maybe he’d had a bad day, like me.

I poked around my plate, having no appetite. I didn’t know how I was going to tell Zach about Ruiz. He’d been right about the possibility of someone from my past following me. What was he going to say about me putting his life at risk because two years ago I got distracted and didn’t handle my business?

“Something wrong?”

I cleared my throat. “Of course not.”

I knew I had to tell him. I was going to.Afterwe ate and he was in a better mood.

His hand rested on my thigh, stopping my leg from bouncing with nerves. His voice was softer than before, wrapping around me with warmth. “Anything you want to tell me?”