“Enjoy your nap?” He smiles.
“Told you it was a long day. I’m going home now. I need to sleep.”
“You want me to walk you?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” I reach over and give him a hug, then introduce myself to Will’s friend, since Will so rudely forgot. I turn around to Sean. “Dinner tomorrow,” I point. “When I figure out more details, I’ll call or text.”
He nods. “I’ll be there. Sleep tight.”
“I’ll try.” I shut the door and make my way home, anticipating a night of dreamless sleep.
I’ve taken my fourth shower of the day trying to wash the filth away. It’s imprinted on my skin like a jagged scar. These past few months have been haunting my conscience. Who would have thought I’d be back in the middle of the cesspool I’d fought so hard to stay away from? I guess that’s the way life goes. You get what you’re given. Shut up and deal with the consequences.
I search for my only source of communication that’ll get me through the day. I need to talk to Andrew. Where are you, little bastard? Reaching into the vent, I feel around for the phone. I must’ve pushed it farther back the last time I used it. I stand on my toes and am able to grab it, then quickly dial the number. He answers on the first ring, which is usual for him, though he never knows when to expect me.
“You all right?”
I take a glance at the clock. “Peachy. Look, I don’t have much time.”
“I understand,” he murmurs. “Talk to me.”
“It’s Valdez. We’re meeting in twenty minutes.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“You serious?” he asks, hopeful. It’s the opportunity both of us have been waiting for.
“Serious as a heart attack.”
“You get a location?”
No, dipshit. “I told you. They don’t give me that information.” I rake my hand through my hair and pace back and forth. “Can they put a tail on me?” I place the phone on speaker and finish getting dressed.
“Nah, too risky. Either way, it means we’re close. What do you got on him?”
“One of our guys screwed up a coke deal—took off with over half a mil. I’m headed down to clean up the mess … smooth things over.” I lick my lips. “I hadn’t heard about Valdez’s involvement until today. Called you as soon as I found out.”
“You know what this means,” he says. “If all goes well, you could be getting out of there within a few days.” I grin at his words, though I find it unlikely. “What’s that idiot thinking, taking off with the money?”
No idea. “All I know is his wife and kids are suffering for it.”
He clears his throat. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, so am I.” I picture the terror on each of their faces. “So what’s next after this?”
Sighing into the phone, he says, “The deal has to go through. It’s very important you make it happen, Luke.”
I blow out a breath. “And if it doesn’t?”
“Then the feds won’t make their move, and you’ll be stuck there a little longer. They need the evidence. It’s the only way to convict him.”
I’m ready to throw the phone against the wall and shatter it into a million pieces. I have no authority here. We’re dealing with a drug-lord who makes my father’s cruelest of crimes look like Mother Theresa’s. “That’s the best they can do?” I peek out the window. “You’re serious?” I growl, sitting down on the bed.
“Listen.”
“No, you listen. This was supposed to be about Reese—about putting my father in prison so she would be safe. Now I’m wondering if this was a mistake!” I tighten my grip on the phone.
“Look,” he says calmly. “You didn’t have a choice. I know this is hard for you. Just hang in there, and we’ll get him.”
I snort. “Easy for you to say.”
“This is hard for me, too. Do you realize how much praying I’ve been doing? Let me tell you. A lot. It’d do you good to give it a try,” he murmurs.
“Thanks for the advice, but I’m pretty sure Jesus isn’t going to help me with this one.”
He laughs. “If He helped me. He sure as hell wouldn’t have a problem helping you.”
A car pulls up the drive. “Yeah, where is he then? Look, I got to go. Tell the feds thanks for nothing”
Andrew mumbles something back, but I end the call and put the phone away, then head out to the car where Marcus and Warren are waiting.
We’re in the middle of the desert. I’ve seen nothing but dirt, cactus, and tumbleweeds for the past forty minutes. Although I’m curious where Gage is, I don’t ask, assuming he’s licking his wounds at home—still weak from the beat down I gave him. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with him today.