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Thumper jumped as if he received an electrical shock when he heard Zane use his real name. Zane knew a bit of satisfaction that he took away Thumper’s upper hand.

“It was Singer. He never trusted you, and then a buddy of his recognized you. Told Singer exactly who you were, so Singer fingered you as a spy to get in deeper with Armando. But he didn’t tell him you were a mercenary like he is. He told Armando you were a Fed.”

“Why not tell Armando who I am? He probably would have had me killed either way.”

“Because he didn’t want Armando connecting him as a mercenary same as you. He had his own agenda, so he’s started going completely against our plan.”

“To get revenge for your nephew and his girl?”

“Hell, Black, how much do you know?”

Zane ignored his question, instead doing an interrogation of his own. “Why does Singer believe I’m a mercenary?”

“Because you are, man. No point in hiding it anymore. His buddy said you were one of the guys who had his cousin killed. He paid Singer a shitload more money to set you up to be killed. They’re not happy you survived. That’s why I’m warning you. They’re still out to get you.”

“It doesn’t make sense, Thumper. Who’s his buddy and the cousin? Why are they targeting me? Why are you even telling me this if you’ve been working with Singer this whole time? You need to start telling me what the hell is going on.”

He held up his hands in a sign of surrender. “Okay, okay. You already know what my end game is.”

“You’re actually working for Cal Russo and Max Morrison.”

“Right. Well I needed help getting in with Armando. Since he found out it was Cal’s son and Max’s daughter in the accident, he tightened his circle to protect himself. So Max called Gary Tarrant to see who he recommended to act as my partner. Tarrant hires mercenaries to work for him all the time, and he put us in touch with Singer. He said he worked with Singer before, and he was as cool as a cucumber under pressure. He’s a psycho, but he served my purpose so I could care less about his own agenda.”

“Did you say Tarrant? As in Tarrant Security?” Wings and Zane exchanged a glance, a silent communication showing they both were connecting the dots. Somehow Joe Albert and Reggie Singer were connected, and they were the ones to set Zane up to be killed. But Zane had his doubts that all of this was happening solely because of Einstein’s death.

“Right. But Singer’s going rogue. He wants to take down Armando and Elian, so he can step in and take over. Then he’s going after Cal and Max. I told you. The son of a bitch is crazy.”

“Why are you telling me all of this? I thought you wanted to take down Armando and Elian.”

“I do, and I know you want to. That’s why we should work together. We can take them down and stop Singer from going after Cal.”

“We don’t work with criminals.”

“Of course, you do. You’re a damn mercenary. If you don’t work with me, you’re dead before you can make any of this happen. You need me. I’m the only one who knows what Singer is up to and how he thinks.”

“Why the hell should we believe you?” Wings finally spoke, and Zane whipped his head to stare curiously at his partner. His normally booming voice came out in a low, menacing tone meant to scare and intimidate. He knew Wings was good, but he had no idea his teammate could play the undercover role so convincingly.

“You can’t afford not to.”

“What’s Singer’s plan?” Zane demanded.

Thumper shook his head. “You get nothing more from me until you agree we work together. I want Armando to pay for what he did. He’s gotten away with it long enough.”

Zane stared at Wings again, and the guy shrugged. “It’s your call.”

Zane nodded. He faced Thumper and studied the man. He could understand the man’s desire for revenge. That’s how he felt when Emmett Carter terrorized and kidnapped Sydney and then when his foster brother Danny Dawson raped Chloe. He didn’t trust the man, but if they could use him to take down the De la Peñas once and for all, it would be worth partnering with him.

“We don’t want to see anything but Armando and Elian arrested and convicted and their operation shut down. If you have in mind to kill either of them, we’ll take you down too.”

“Understood. But if I get the chance to kill either or both of them, I’m going to take it.”

“Understood, but you won’t get the chance. We’ll make sure of it.”

Wings reached behind him. “Turn around.”

“Hell, no!” Thumper protested.

Wings held up a couple of zip ties. “If you think you’re coming with us without being secured first, you’re full of shit. Turn around.”