Page 140 of Caught in the Crossfire

“I’m certain your files are not her problem,” Ryu said with a glare. “Talk to us now or leave.”

Special Agent Badawi wiggled her arm with the card at me. Alec took the card when I refused to grab it. “It won’t take that long,” she said. “Just a quick interview.”

I pressed firmer against Ryu’s side. “I’ll be in touch about making an appointment, then. I’m afraid my schedule is jam-packed.”

Yeah, an appointment right after I hired an incredible lawyer.

My mind raced. If it was something my father was up to, it could have anything to do with our mafia enterprises: drugs, gambling, guns. It could also be related to our biggest fucking problem right now: the human trafficking flying under our noses. Or they could have somehow tied the explosion at Ryuji’s club back to us, or Wynn’s blood eagle.

Jesus Christ, the list was unending, but that was life in the criminal underworld. We lived on the wrong side of the law, and they could take their pick as to our wrongdoings.

Still, I had a sinking feeling this was related to the big glaringproblem Obi and I still weren’t sure what to do about. My father had sold guns to the fucking CIA. But if that was the topic they were here for, why was the FBI knocking and not them?

Special Agent Greer shook his head, his frustration coming through his tight voice. “We’d like you to come with us. As I’ve said, this is time-sensitive.”

“No fucking wa—” Ryu growled.

“It’s past working hours, Special Agents,” Alec said, interrupting him. The music of the club thumped in the background, only underscoring his point that it was almost 10 p.m. on a Friday. “Perhaps this would be more appropriate if it were daylight outside.”

“Ms. Vero, are these men your representatives?” Special Agent Badawi asked.

I shook my head. “No, but my lawyer will be in touch. We can continue our conversation when my lawyer is available.”

Hiring a lawyer moved to the top of my to-do list. Obi had to have one already, right?

Special Agent Greer stepped closer. “Do we need to bring you in forcefully? We’re well within our rights to detain you for questioning if we believe you’ve been party to a crime.”

Ryuji moved to pull a knife, but I closed my hand over his. That would not do us any favors.

“Am I being arrested?” My voice was flat while I tried to keep my emotions under control. My heart began racing at the thought of being locked in another cell. The skin on the back of my neck prickled as a cold sweat built. “Is Ryuji being arrested?”

Cold. Dark. Bodies pressed together.I jumped on the box, internally screaming at myself to keep my emotions in control.

Special Agent Badawi shook her head with a sigh. “No, you’re not being arrested.”

“Then, my lawyer will be in touch about your interview.” My chest loosened slightly as the fear of immediate captivity dissipated. “Now, if you’ll please excuse us.”

“People with nothing to hide are unconcerned about answering a few questions,” Greer pressed.

“I’m well within my rights to consult counsel,” I answered. “If you won’t tell me what your questions are regarding, then I’m afraid this is the best I can do.”

Greer tilted his head to the side. “Are you aware of your father’s connections to human trafficking and to gun smuggling?”

I feigned surprise, balking at his words. “No. That’s ridiculous. My father was a simple businessman, and he didn’t even let me into the inner workings of his company.”

Badawi gave me a look like she didn’t believe a word I was saying, but at least what I said was mostly true.

Greer sneered, but continued. “Are you aware that your father operated as a confidential informant to the United States government?”

My blood turned to ice in my veins while I death-gripped Ryuji’s hand. “What?”

“That is what this is regarding, Ms. Vero,” Greer added. “Now, if you’ll please allow us to escort you to our field office for further questioning.”

I swallowed, trying to clear my bone-dry mouth. My dadwasa snitch? He didn’t just sell guns to the CIA, but he was giving them information? We had figured there was a reason he was working with them…butwhy?

“I had no clue what my father did while he was alive.” A tremor laced through my voice despite how I tried to keep it under control. Ryuji was about to snap. We had to get home. We had to tell the guys about this. “I’m afraid I’ll be of no help you to, Special Agents.”

A thought blew up my brain like a meteor.