Page 62 of Madness & Mercy

“But if you lie to me again…”

Julian turns his head, his eyes cutting sharp enough to bleed. “What?” he hisses, “you’ll chain me to the bed again?”

I smile, but there’s nothing soft about it. Just teeth. “No,cagniolo. Next time…” I drag the words out like a promise. “I won’t be so gentle.”

He grits his teeth so hard, he looks like he might break a molar.

I straighten.

“You recognize the guy in the photo. Good. You’re going to track him. Watch who he talks to. What he eats. Where he sleeps. I want it all. Names, tells, weak points.”

Julian doesn’t flinch. “Fine,” he says, like it’s no big deal. Like he’s done this countless times in his sleep.

I nod once. “You said he’s been tailing Zane at Pier 19. You should go back there, see what you can find.”

Julian sits up a little, dragging the folder toward him. “Then I’m going now. I want eyes on him before he gets comfortable.”

I let that hang there a second. Then drop it:

“I’m coming with you.”

His gaze flicks up, sharp. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“I work better alone.”

I shake my head once. “No. Yourunbetter alone. But I’m not letting you off the leash tonight.”

He scoffs, his body stiffening.

“You want me to trust you?” I say. “Then you’ll work under my eyes. You’ll sweat under my eyes. You’ll fuckingbleedunder them if you have to.”

He grits his teeth, but doesn’t say a word.

“Fine,” he mutters eventually. “Let’s go.”

He starts to stand like he’s in control now. Like he’s calling the shots.

“Sit back down,” I say, tapping the table once. “We’re not done yet.”

He freezes, mid-motion.

“Jesus Christ. What now?”

He glares at me like he wants to throw the chair across the room. But I don’t flinch. I just stand, move to the door, and call out to the guard posted just outside.

I glance toward the door. “Bring the tray.”

Julian’s eyes narrow. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

The guard returns a moment later, setting the tray—scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, coffee—down in front of him. It’s the same one I had sent up earlier, untouched.

Julian glares at it like it’s poison.

I drag the tray toward him. “Eat.”

He scoffs.