Page 30 of Savage Hearts

“So, he’s injured?”

She nods. “We don’t know how badly yet.”

“Why would someone try to make it look like he was murdered but keep him alive?”

“We don’t know that yet, either.”

I chew thoughtfully. “I bet he was tortured for information by a rival syndicate.”

Sloane’s voice comes out faint. “That’s a likely scenario, yes.”

“Were you close with him, this Diego?”

“No. I never met him.”

“Then why are you so upset?”

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she passes a hand over her face and exhales.

“Diego… had a lot of information. About a lot of people. Secret information. Things that could be devastating if they ever came out. Many people could be affected.”

Her tone makes me understand that by “affected,” she means killed.

“Holy shit.”

“Exactly.”

We sit in silence while I devour another piece of candy. Then I’m stopped by a horrible thought. “Is Declan in danger?”

“He’s always in danger,” she says softly. Then she closes her eyes, pinches the bridge of her nose between two fingers, and whispers, “Fuck.”

I’m about to go over to the bed and attempt to comfort her, when a knock comes on the door.

“Come in.”

Declan enters, his eyes hunting for Sloane. He spots her sitting on the bed and strides forward. “I’ve got to leave.”

She stands, looking alarmed. “Leave? When?”

“Now.”

He takes her by the shoulders and stares into her eyes with ferocious intensity. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime—”

“No way, gangster,” she interrupts loudly, her face turning red. “No fucking way are you going anywhere without me.”

He glowers at her. “Sloane.”

“I’m coming with you. It’s not a negotiation.”

Her voice is flat, but her expression is murderous. Declan looks to me for help.

I hold my hands in the air. “If you think I can change her mind, I’m flattered. But once that horse is out of the barn, there’s no putting a saddle on it.”

Sloane scowls at me. “Where are you getting these stupid metaphors?”

“It was in the last manuscript I edited. I thought it was a good one.”

“It’s not.” She turns her attention back to Declan. “Here’s the deal. If you try to leave me behind, I’ll book a commercial flight and follow you.”