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Santari strolled to me, her eyes searching mine as if looking for answers.
“I’m fine.”
“I know.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me again.”
I gritted my teeth and spoke through them. “I know.”
“Do you? You seem worried, and I want you to relax.”
I faced her. “I will relax when the person responsible for taking you, murdering Rev, and trying to pick us off one by one is dead.” I peered at her. “You understand me, lover?”
She sucked in a breath. “If you’re going to kill someone, take Cruz with you.”
“Thank you!” Cruz shouted.
“Y’all are driving me crazy.” I left the house and jumped in my Range, pulling away from the curb before Cruz could jump in my passenger seat.
The Miami nightcloaked me in darkness, and I blended with the shadows as I drove to Aaron’s suburban home. A soccer mom minivan was in the driveway. A basketball hoop hung over the garage. This nigga was living the American fucking dream – or at least he pretended to be.
I parked three blocks away and approached on foot. I would’ve taken the Solar Beam, but the engine would wake the entire neighborhood.
The security system was basic—a standard issue from some corporate provider. It was child’s play to bypass, and the back door’s lock took seconds to pick.
Inside, the house was dark except for the soft glow of nightlights. Family photos lined the walls—Aaron with his wife and kids. Their smiling faces taunted the violence that had brought me here. While children were off limits, I would leave their father’s head on the kitchen table for them to find if he didn’t give me what I came for.
Movement in the kitchen took my attention to a shape outlined against the fridge’s light.
Aaron.
I stayed in the shadows, watching him pour a glass of water. When he closed the fridge, he saw my reflection in the back door’s window.
The glass shattered on the floor, and his eyes widened with recognition and fear.
“We had a deal,” he whispered.
“If I was here to kill your family, they’d already be dead.” I kept my voice low and controlled. “Sit.”
He sank into a kitchen chair, trembling. “What do you want?”
“The name of your boss.”
“I can’t?—”
“You can. And you will.” I stayed in the shadows, letting his imagination fill in the darkness. “Who hired you?”
“Please.” Sweat beaded on his forehead. “They’ll kill me.”
“I’ll kill you slower.” I stepped forward, and the moonlight rode the curve of the blade in my hand. “And then I’ll start with your wife.”
“You promised not to hurt them.”
“I promised not to hurt them if you helped us find Santari. Now I’m making a new deal.” The knife sparkled. “Tell meeverything, and your family stays breathing. Lie to me...” I let the threat hang.
“You don’t understand. These people - they’re connected. They’re powerful.”
“More powerful than me?”