Page 32 of Lethal Vengeance

“How did you realize they were different girls?”

I shake my head in disbelief. “One was considerably taller than the other.” With a shrug, I take my mug over to the sink. “One or two of the guards were paid extra last night.”

He nods in agreement. “It’s good to know they can be bribed.”

Sterling and Zane stride into the room.

“What’s the plan for today?” I ask Zane, tamping down the restlessness stirring inside me. Unlike Cruz, I need constant movement. It helps me rein in the darkness that’s constantly searching for its next target.

Zane’s grey eyes flash me a knowing look. “I want you, Cruz, and Sterling to walk through the plans for tomorrow. Make sure there are no holes, or we’ll have an army coming down on top of us. Check each other. Quinn and I will be back around noon.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

Both Cruz and Sterling turn to Zane, waiting for him to answer.

He scowls irritably. “You’re like a bunch of children with a favorite toy. We’re moving Lupe’s father to Saltillo. Satisfied?”

“If you’re concerned about the planning, I can take them and you can stay here,” I offer, knowing his obsessive need to walk through every detail again and again.

Not a flicker of indecision crosses his face. “No. I told her I’d drive him over.” His eyes dart to the coffee pot and back to his watch. “She should be here in a minute.”

I jerk my head toward the coffee. “Not everyone is as punctual as you. Grab some coffee.”

He glances at his watch a second time but gives into his caffeine addiction. “Sterling, I want you to investigate Quinn. See what you can find on her background. The preliminary one we did isn’t enough.”

Sterling nods reluctantly. “Is there a reason why we’re digging deeper?” Green eyes narrow, looking at each of us, before focusing in on Zane and me. “Raider? Zane?”

That’s one of the things I like most about Sterling. He’s damn good at reading people.

Zane crosses his arms in defense. “I want to do our due diligence prior to the mission. It’s hard to predict someone’s actions when we don’t know their motivations.” He waits for Sterling to agree, which he reluctantly does. “We know a few things about her that can help. A past in law enforcement. Probably from Texas… She apparently doesn’t care for my father’s politics.”

“Her father died in the line of duty when she was eight. Mother remarried,” Cruz adds, without looking up from his coffee cup.

“Somebody she loved was found dead in the desert,” I remind them. “There might be a newspaper article.”

The roads we take when others destroy our lives have no rhyme or reason, only the pain driving us to change course. Hearing her story, even vaguely, hit me hard, and I’ll do everything I can to help her. I’ve been there. The road she’s on will destroy her if there isn’t someone to help her out of the darkness.

“That’s quite a lot more than I expected,” Sterling admits with a sigh. “I’ll also run facial recognition, but not through our usual channels. Maybe Henley can assist. I’m sure she’s probably bored getting a legitimate company up and running.” He winks at Cruz, who chuckles.

Zane sighs impatiently, his eyes fixed on his watch.

“Why don’t I go check on her? You get the car and pull it around,” I tell him. Zane can be a grumpy bastard when someone is running late. Too much military in the man.

Cruz tosses Zane the keys to the car. “Here.” His eyes shift to me, and he lifts his chin toward the door.

I disappear without another word.

When I get to the third floor, Quinn is leaning against the door to her apartment, staring at Rodrigo.

“Make sure you don’t go anywhere while I’m gone,” Rodrigo warns her. “I’ve been working on a few surprises I know you’re going to love.” He laughs. “I can’t wait to see your face.”

In a flash, she’s standing toe to toe with him. “I know what you did to Lupe,” she snarls. “Make sure you come back, because I’ll be here waiting for you.”

She pushes the nuzzle of her gun into his cheek. “You’ve been on my list for a long time. I originally thought about shooting you. Execution style. Done in an instant. After all, you’re just a lapdog for the cartel, no real power.” With a flick of her hand, she shoves the gun into the holster on her side. “Congratulations. You’ve moved up on the list. Shooting is too good for you, too quick. I can’t wait to see your face when I carve you up like a pig.”

Enraged, he grabs her by the throat.

Outside noises disappear, and the world stills around me. My attention narrows to a pinprick with Rodrigo at the center. I stride forward, but before I get there, he’s releasing her and backing away.