Page 29

FIFTEEN

NICOLE

A s much as it was a mind trip to be with Paul while he was so well disguised as a completely different person, I was glad for the opportunity to do what I did best. Dig.

I spotted someone I needed to see, so he was first up.

I made my way over to the bar and ordered a glass of white wine.

Then I slipped onto a free stool as close as I could.

I sipped my drink and pretended to search through my purse, while I tapped record on my phone, but without warning, they decided to take their conversation elsewhere.

Damn! I twisted on my chair and looked around the room. That was okay; I’d find him later.

I watched Paul for a moment as he worked the crowd like a champ.

He smiled, shook hands, laughed, everything he needed to do to fit in with these people.

The Cartel were rich and their friends even richer.

They’d lost their moral compass soon after they slid out of their mothers’ wombs.

They had zero respect for anyone or anything except the almighty dollar.

“Spill the tea, Nicole.” Sully accepted a drink from a waiter as he approached me. “Why did you bring a date to my party?”

“You mean a party I wasn’t invited to?” I raised a brow. “We had a deal.”

“I felt you were needed elsewhere. I assured our mutual friend that you were to be trusted. He gave you a job to do. You’ll have to forgive me for not extending an invitation, but—” He raised his glass to his lips.

I instantly felt nervous. “I understand he isn’t coming?”

“He’s not,” he twisted the glass between his fingers, “but Rafael Cruz is. I also have a job to do. Again, I’m going to ask, who is your date?”

“You mean my shiny new penny?” I wiggled my brows as I roped him in. “He’s actually a regalito .”

“I do enjoy regalito .” He stepped closer.

“As he mentioned, Dan is from LA and works at importing-exporting things such as artwork, artifacts,” I slid my gaze over to him, “humans who just so happen to carry high amounts of cocaína .”

“Really?”

“I figured he should come here and meet you. Dip his feet in your world so that should you decide to ask him for help with your little California problem, he might be more open to it.”

He studied my face the way he did when he was happy about something, but didn’t want to seem too eager. “You two seem very close.”

“It’s all part of the game, Sully.” I winked as I took a sip of my drink.

“All right, well, I appreciate the offering. I’ll be sure to speak with him again tonight and see if we can’t find something that would benefit us both.”

“Do that, and you’re welcome.” I hoped he’d pull his men off Paul so he could do what he needed to do.

I steered the conversation back to the situation at hand.

“Now tell me, Sully, why you and I are both doing the job of one.” He hesitated, and my temper got the best of me, or at least I made it look that way.

“I don’t understand.” He lifted his hands.

“That child. I don’t like being blackmailed into doing someone’s dirty work.

I couldn’t give two fucks about the child.

He’s not the story I’m interested in telling,” I lied with ease.

“So, I’m supposed to be off looking for some child and you’re hosting a party here, I suspect for the same reason.

” I waved my arm around. “Add to that a high-powered Canos soldier is in attendance. Doesn’t that tell you something?

Sounds to me like we’re being played against each other.

Tell me I’m wrong, Sully.” He scrunched up his nose and glanced around.

I knew he must have had the same thoughts himself.

I might hate Sully, but he wasn’t stupid.

“Nicole, Bruno has made it clear what he’ll do if you don’t do as he asked. You need to find that child?—”

“I’m done playing Bruno’s games,” I glared at him, “and I know that son of a bitch doesn’t have my cameraman.

Ben called me yesterday and confirmed he’s okay.

” I hopped off the stool and sent him a look to show him I was done with it all.

“So, let me clarify.” I placed a hand on the bar.

“I have proven to you time and again you can trust me. I even brought Dan to your party because I know he can be of help to you, yet you still sit here and let Bruno call the shots when it comes to our friendship? Do me a favor and don’t call on me again. ”

“Wait, wait, wait.” He pointed with his head to sit back down, and I knew something was up. Careful not to seem too intrigued, I hesitated and pretended to think for a moment before I did as he asked. “I can’t get close to him.”

“Him. Who? Rafael?”

“Yes,” he hissed, clearly unhappy. “We don’t have the best relationship. Bruno seems to think we do, but he won’t give me the time of day, as you Americans say…” He took a sip of his drink.

This was an interesting development. I had to play my cards right. “So, get someone else to speak to him.”

“It’s not that simple.” He actually looked worried. “I could use your help with this.”

I laughed and shook my head. “No.”

“Nicole, seriously, I need you to find out what his next move is with the child.”

“So, you’re saying he has information on the child’s whereabouts?” His expression showed he didn’t want to answer. “Sully, fill me in with what you know, or I walk.”

“Yes,” he reluctantly answered and lowered his voice. “The original story was the kid was to be given to the first one who came for him.”

“Where? Do you know where they have him?”

“No. And now there are new players,” he nodded toward Rafael, “and they have changed the game. Like everything in this country, it has become about money. The child has shown its value, and now there is a bidding war. Not so unusual these days, comprende ?”

I nodded. “I understand all too well the way things work here.”

“So, now the child will stay hidden until that man gets what he wants.”

“All right, so he’s calling the shots,” I repeated to make sure the others heard, and Sully nodded. “So how am I supposed to play into this?”

“Get his attention, use those.” He looked down at my breasts. “He’ll tell you anything if he thinks he might have a chance with you.” He simply shrugged at my disgusted look. “This is also how the world works, Nicole, and we want the same thing. No?”

“No, we don’t, but I want a story, and I want a good one. I told you I’m not interested in some kid, and you can tell Bruno that.”

“Please, I just want you to let him talk then tell me what he said.”

“Why should I?” I turned and watched Rafael as he spoke to some men who looked to be in their late eighties.

“I know things,” his expression was unreadable, “things that involve you and Bruno.”

I gave him an annoyed look. “There’s nothing between that fuck weasel and me.” I was tired of this.

“Not like that.” He cleared his throat. “I mean what Bruno really has planned for you.”

I huffed. “And what would that be?”

He licked his lips and ran a shaky hand through his hair. Why was he nervous? “I’m assuming that if you spoke to Ben, he told you he was chipped.” I didn’t say anything, and he went on. “Bruno was furious because it didn’t work. Something happened, and it has only fueled Bruno’s revenge.”

“Revenge?”

“Yes. You remember his uncle, Martin Castillo?” At my nod, he went on. “You know his empire was reduced to rubble by those Americanos ?” I nodded. “Now there will be,” he struggled to find the word in English, “ repercusiones .”

“Repercussions.”

“Yes, repercussions to that downfall.”

I scratched my face. “What’s that got to do with me or with Ben being chipped?”

“There’s much more to tell you about this. I think you need to know—” He stopped talking when one of his men whispered something in his ear. His face showed he wasn’t happy at whatever was said, and he nodded once, finished his drink, then stood.

“What?”

“You should meet with Rafael now.”

“No, you should finish your story now.”

He rubbed his mouth nervously. “Please forget what I said.”

“Not possible.”

“I’ll give you something else for your news. Something very interesting about Bruno’s mother and what she has been up to. I’m sure your American viewers will be very interested in what she has planned for the border. This will be an international story, Nicole. You will want this.”

I wanted to know more about what he’d referred to with Bruno’s uncle and Ben’s chip, but something told me now wasn’t the time to push. My brain spun with all the possibilities. I tapped my finger on the bar and took a moment to let him sweat it out.

“You better not screw me on this, or I’m out, Sully. I’ll be gone tomorrow, and I’ll take Dan with me.” I knew I had to threaten, or he’d never believe me. “Gather up the shit on his mother, and so help me God, if it’s not juicy, I’ll write a story you’ll both regret.”

He swallowed back his pride and looked me straight in the eye. “Understood.”

“And whatever it was you started to tell me about, I want that story too. This isn’t a one-sided business relationship.”

“I understand that too.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away. Then I spotted Rafael Cruz at a table with another man I didn’t know. Time to play.

I tugged my dress back so my bare thigh showed through. It was at his eye level and could hardly be missed. I carefully tilted my wine glass and let a little drip onto the front of my breasts.

“Oh, my goodness,” I said out loud and acted as if the cold liquid was a shock. “May I have one of those?” I pointed to his napkin as I leaned over to give him a better view, and he didn’t disappoint.

“Allow me.” He got quickly to his feet, took the napkin from me, and boldly dabbed my chest. Yup, he definitely lived up to his reputation. I’d done my research, and it had just been confirmed by Sully.

“Such a gentleman.” I internally rolled my eyes. “Thank you.” I smiled and made sure my eyes sparkled with interest while my stomach rolled a little in disgust. I should get an Oscar for that performance.