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Frowning, Caleb dug deeper into the memory.
Was that why Ortega had seemed familiar? Had he worked with his father?
“There’s more,” Zach said. He leveled a cool look at Caleb. “The tribal hospital in Gallup reported a fentanyl overdose last night. They’re waiting for the toxicology results to confirm the analog ingested by the deceased, but pills found at the scene looked like oxy.”
Caleb’s teeth ground together to hold back a snarl. “Tribal hospital. The deceased was Navajo?”
Zach’s lips thinned, his eyes darkening to black. “Yeah. Which is why it’s now our problem. My buddy reached out to the Feds. They were very interested in the fact Ortega’s back in Gallup. They think he might be meeting up with old crew—and given his rumored cartel ties…”
A chill skated down Caleb’s spine. “Cartel connections?”
“Yep.” His cousin’s brow lifted, a hint of censure in his eyes. “Espina Negra. Sound familiar?”
“Son of a bitch.” Ice flooded Caleb’s veins, then caught fire.
He shoved his hand through his hair, trying to hold back the roaring fury, his body trembling with the effort to stay in control.
Espina Negra.
His father’s former cartel.
The cartel responsible for his mother’s death.
More innocent dead.
And Gia—where did she fit in?
She knew more than she was telling.
Pieces of a puzzle scattered before him, just out of reach.
But he would put them together. And when he did…
He hadn’t realized he was pacing until Zach stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “That look on your face is making me nervous.”
Caleb jerked his head toward Gia’s bedroom, lowering his voice. “Why go after her? There has to be a connection.”
Zach gave a restless shrug. “Maybe her ex hired Ortega to track her down. Paid local talent to send a message. Wouldn’t be the first time some businessman didn’t want to get his own hands dirty.”
“Maybe.” Caleb didn’t believe in coincidences.
“You good?” Zach asked, his gaze too perceptive.
Slipping into mission mode, Caleb blocked the rising storm inside him. Focused on the job.
Which just became finding Manuel Ortega.
“I’m fine.”
His cousin didn’t need to know the truth—that he wasn’t anywhere near fine.
This wasn’t just about protecting Gia anymore.
It was about avenging his mother.
Ortega had answers.
Caleb would get those answers.