Page 61 of Madness & Mercy

He glares at me like he wants me dead.

I stare back like I’ve already buried him.

Because whatever game he thinks this is?

He’s already lost.

And it’s time he starts realizing it.

“So,” I say, folding my hands on the table like I’ve got all the time in the world. “Let’s talk about what you’rereallydoing here.”

Julian lifts an eyebrow. “Pretty sure that’syourmystery to solve, boss.”

I don’t blink. “Don’t play games with me. You said you’re a private investigator. Fine. Let’s pretend that isn’t complete bullshit.”

“It’s not,” he says dryly.

“Sure,” I murmur. “Then tell me, why would alegitimateP.I openly admit to stalking me for years?”

That shuts him up.

I lean forward. “You told me you wanted to help find who’s behind the bounty on my head. Good. Then here’s your shot.”

I slide the folder across the table. A little louder than necessary. Let the weight of it speak for me.

He opens it.

Photos. Logs. Victims. Two of my guys, one from a rival crew, and a body fished out of the Halston. All with one thing in common.

The same signature.

And the same loose ends I’m tired of chasing.

Julian doesn’t flinch as he flips through it. His expression sharpens, turning focused, almosttoocomfortable with the gory details.

He pauses on one image. Taps his finger once.

“This guy,” he says. “Saw him shadowing your runner last week at Pier 19. He wasn’t watching the crates. He was watching your kid.”

“Zane?”

He turns to me. “Curly hair, nervous as hell? Then, yeah. Your boy’s being followed.”

“You’re sure?”

Julian lifts his eyes. “I don’t open my mouth unless I am.”

“You’re not off the hook yet,” I say. “You’re still a liability. Still a walking question mark with too many answers and not enough explanations.”

He stays quiet, but I can see his posture shift, like he expects me to strike.

“I should’ve buried you the second I found you. But instead…” I pause, lowering my voice. “I brought you into my home. Let you sleep under my roof. Let you put yourhandson me.”

He doesn’t move.

“You’ve been useful to me,” I continue. “So far.”

I lean in behind him, close enough that I feel his shoulders tense beneath the heat of my breath.