Page 94

“Focus,pendejo,” Cade’s voice cracks like a whip. “Just tell your story so we can be done with it.”

The man gulps, face going paler. “The boss said a sale come through quick. Showed us photo of a woman, said to pick up around here.”

Cade cocks his head, still calm, but there’s a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Go on.”

Broken nose nods and stutters. “H-He said to bring her back to Mexico.”

I feel a cold shiver run down my spine.

“And what were the instructions for transport?” Cade takes another casual bite of his apple.

“To . . . to use the cooling truck.” Sweat beads on the man’s forehead, glistening under the dining room light.

Cade’s lips curl into a twisted grin. “Thirty-six Fahrenheit. Cartel protocol for organ harvesting, isn’t that right?”

He nods quickly as blood trickles down his nostril.

I can barely think beyond horror crawling under my skin. These men were instructed to collect my me for . . . I can’t even finish the thought. And Cade acts like we’re discussing the weather.

Cade’s eyes shift to the younger man whose face is too bruised to guess his age. “Your turn, darling. Why don’t you tell us how you found her?”

“I think . . .” the man begins.

Cade’s eyes narrow. “You think?”

The man gulps, his voice shaking as he manages to get the words out. “Credit card . . . it was used. At a store.”

Oh shit.

Cade hums as if pleased by the answer. “And remind me again who sent you?”

“Alejandro Córdoba—”

Cade waves a dismissive hand. “Blah, blah, blah. Your boss’s client. The Italian. What’s his name?”

“Roman . . . uh, Romano.”

“First name?” Cade asks, leaning back with a casual air.

“Ricardo.”

My heart plummets into my stomach.

“Thank you,” Cade’s eyes flash as he turns to me. “Ring any bells, princess?”

My mouth is dry, my heart hammering in my chest. Ricardo Romano. Flavia’s big brother.

“My cousin,” I croak.

Cade tilts his head thoughtfully, tapping his fork against the table. “Well, it seems Ricardo had to find another way to make his pound of flesh off you, princess, since Clemenza didn’t share the booty with the rest of the family.” He snorts, muttering to himself, “Why are there so many human reptiles in the Mafia?”

I’m barely processing his words when his gaze snaps back to me. “Tell me, princess,” he says, his tone polite but his green eyes burning through me like twin lasers. “Why didn’t you use the cash I gave you?”

Panic rises like bile, but I fight to keep my face calm, to keep my voice steady.He knows. He knows I’m going to lie.

“I . . . I just wasn’t comfortable using your money for personal things,” I stammer.

Cade’s eyes flick down to my crotch. “Personal things like tampons?”