Page 39 of Devil's Property

“When we return,” I added.

“Does that mean you’re bringing the woman with you?”

I took a deep breath. “Yet to be determined.”

“Careful, my friend. The thought of you falling for a woman is quite frankly terrifying.”

After rolling my eyes, I shifted my concentration to the vials in front of me.

Popping the top, I licked my little finger and allowed my skin to touch the unknown powder. As I brought it to my nose, I confirmed there wasn’t an odor. When I darted my tongue through the crystals, I anticipated a lingering taste. None.

“What are you looking for?” Kruz asked as he retrieved one of the vials, holding it up in the light.

“The reason Fassi’s men targeted this particular warehouse. Not only are the conditions troubling, but my gut tells me their attempted raid was about whatever I’m holding in my hand.” I slipped a single vial into my pocket. It was doubtful Eduardo would be entirely truthful.

“If you’re right, my cousin has been very busy. Something else to discuss with him. “

Nodding, I studied the area one last time before heading toward the two soldiers. “Names?”

The two looked at each other and I sighed. They certainly weren’t eager to cooperate.

Hard thudding sounds permeated the space from the beating Fassi’s man was getting. This certainly wasn’t the way I’d planned on spending my evening, much preferring sparring with the beautiful woman with a killer right hook.

“If I need to ask you again, I think we will have an issue,” I told them as calmly as possible.

“Juan,” the first one gritted out.

“Albrego.” The second was more arrogant, the thin smile he wore pissing me off. He was the candidate of choice.

I crowded his space, using the fact I was much taller than he was as intimidation. “What is the blow being cut with?”

He shrugged.

I grabbed him around the neck.

Juan and not Albrego gasped. I slowly turned my head toward him. “What do you know?”

“Nothing, sir. Don Gonzolez never told us anything except to keep the workers working.”

So Eduardo was calling himself a Don now. The greedy son of a bitch believed he was more powerful than he truly was. I returned my gaze to Albrego, finding it amusing Jago was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

I knew my concentration level and being interrupted brought out the beast in me. “And you?” I threw out.

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

My hold remained tight, enough the cords in his neck were suddenly stretched as he tried to breathe. “Where does it come from?”

“Sir, only recent,” Juan spit out. “Don Gonzolez handles the material himself. I swear.”

I believed him. Eduardo had found himself a substance that was either deadly or just the opposite. Releasing my hold, I took a step away, even turning around. Had he not heard the horror stories of the reason my brother was dead in the first place? Or did the Mexican Cartel leader simply not care?

Albrego made the mistake of grumbling under his breath.

With a single spin, I punched him solidly in the gut, issuing another under his jaw. A tooth popped out, flying straight past me.

“Have you ever seen another person here, someone handling the function of preparing the coke for shipment?”

Juan was clearly unnerved. “A few times.”