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“Right,” I said. “I’m not looking to actually make a deal, just push Sean out. When Sean loses his connections, he won’t have any options left. He’ll have to challenge me.”

Hawk pressed his lips together. He didn’t look totally convinced, but it was clear he couldn’t come up with a better option. He heaved a sigh. “I hope you’re right, but I don’t think either of us can really predict what Sean is going to do these days.”

I couldn’t deny that.

It didn’t take much to convince Castille to meet. He wasn’t interested in talking on the phone, especially on an unsecured line—smart man. He agreed to meet me at Lola’s that evening, the gas station–slash–diner where I knew we wouldn’t be bothered.

When I ended that call, I dialed Harley. She answered on the first ring. “Everything okay?”

I hated the flicker of fear in her voice. God, I wanted all of this to be over. “Everything’s fine. I’m just calling to let you know I won’t be around for dinner.”

She sighed. “I had a feeling that might happen.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“It’s okay. Just be safe out there, okay?”

My dragon grumbled in frustration. He wanted us to go back home and see her again before we left, but I still had details to work out with Hawk, including setting up Harley’s meeting with Blakely, and it was a long ride to Lola’s. Besides, if I went back to see Harley, there was a good chance my dragon wouldn’t let me leave again.

I’d see her tonight when I had nothing else to focus on. Then I could give her the love and attention she deserved after all she’d been through.

It was dark by the time Hawk and I reached the diner with its familiar faded brick exterior and blinking HOT COFFEE sign. It was a good time for a meeting. The travelers passing through were mostly gone, and the dinner rush hadn’t ended yet. The waitress waved me to my preferred corner booth and brought me coffee without saying a word. Hawk took a seat at the bar. He was far enough away to give me space to speak to this dealer—whoever he was—but close enough to step in if things went sideways.

A few minutes later, an unfamiliar man strode in. He was tall, bald, with tattoos all the way up to his jaw. He looked like he could’ve run a motorcycle club thirty years ago and that the intervening years hadn’t treated him well. He slid into the booth across from me, bringing the stench of cigarette smoke with him.

“Castille,” I said.

“Ace. Heard a lot about you.”

“Wish I could say the same,” I said.

Castille grinned. “That’s the way I like it. Under the radar. I heard the Lakeview clan was going clean. What do you all want to do with a homegrown salesman like me?”

“We’re clean,” I confirmed. “I’m just here for information.”

Castille scowled. “I don’t deal in information. I’m a broker of things.Realthings. Not gossip and secrets.”

“I’ve got the kinds of connections that can boost your business.”

“You don’t even know what kind of business I do.”

I chuckled. “If I did, you’d probably be doing a lot better.”

Castille scowled. “What’s this really about?”

“It’s about my brother,” I said. “Sean. I know you’re dealing with him.”

“I’ve got a lot of customers,” Castille said cagily.

The guy was irritating me. I didn’t have time to sit around and talk in circles, especially with a low-ranking nobody ‘broker’ like this guy.

“Here’s what I’m offering,” I said curtly. “I want you to tell me what Sean wants from you, and I want you to cancel the deal. I know he’s probably screwed you over and hasn’t been able to hold up his end.”

Castille scowled. That was as good as an affirmation.

“In return, I can set up a meeting with my former gunrunner. My guy has connections at the border up north.”

Castille’s eyes widened. I knew that was a real enticement for low-level guys like him. If he could get guns across the border without trouble, his business would skyrocket. I didn’t know if my former weapons guy Michel would actually help him, but I could organize a meeting. Whatever happened after that was up to Michel.