We finally spot a couple SUVs and a van parked off in the distance. Marcus heads that way, then we pull over to park the car. I count six of them, opposed to our three, as we all climb out of our vehicles. All of them are visibly armed, except for a middle-aged man wearing a suit with his hair greased back. I assume this is Valdez.
He steps forward and reaches out a hand. “Gentlemen.”
Marcus and Warren give their formal hellos, but Valdez keeps his gaze on mine. “Luke Ryann,” he says with a fake smile. “I’ve watched you fight. I’ve got to say, I’m a big fan.” His eyes tell me the opposite. I use my game face pretending I didn’t notice the animosity in his voice. He’s my one-way ticket to Reese’s safety. Once the feds get what they want, my father is no longer a threat, then Reese and I can get on with our lives. I just hope she’ll be able to forgive me and understand I did what I had to do.
“I appreciate that, sir.”
His eyebrows pinch together. “I’m curious, though, what brings you to the business?” he asks, lifting his chin. His men all stand behind him.
I scan each one of them, noticing most of their sizes evenly match mine, and I’m a big guy. “Just keeping it in the family, sir.” My eyes flick back to him.
He rubs his chin. “I thought you might say that.” He takes a couple steps back. “Your father and I have done business for years.”
“So I’ve heard.”
He lets out a short laugh. “Really? I’m surprised by that.” There’s a bite in his tone. “Tell me, what else have you heard?” Lifting his brows, he watches my expression.
“I wish I had more to give you, but my father keeps the details of his business practices private.” I keep my face blank.
He nods, seeming pleased by my answer. “It’s too bad our meeting isn’t under better circumstances,” he adds, giving me a firm pat on the shoulder.
“I agree, but we can’t let it slow us down, right?”
“No, we can’t,” he replies.
I gesture to Marcus and Warren. “You guys go ahead.” Valdez looks amused by this. I hold out my hands. “Like I said, I don’t get much of the details. These guys are who you want to talk to.”
He smirks. “I guess you’re going to have to earn back your father’s trust. Am I right?”
I tense at his words then quickly release it. How the hell does he know? “I guess so,” I tell him, meeting his eyes. A whole lot of scenarios run through my mind—about my past, and his possible involvement—but it’s not the time to be distracted by that.
“We still want the deal,” Marcus tells him. “It just may take a little longer to get the money. There are a few more leads we need to follow. Some of our guys are on it now. Could be later today, tomorrow … three days tops.”
“You sound pretty confident you’ll catch him,” Valdez replies with his hands clasped behind his back. “What happens if you don’t?”
“You’ll get the money regardless,” Warren answers. “There are other sources we can use if we have to.”
“Good. Then I don’t see a problem moving forward.”
“We’re glad to hear that,” Warren replies with an easy grin. He lifts his brows. “You bring us a sample?”
Valdez looks over his shoulder. “Salinas,” he calls.
A dude with a buzz cut and a full sleeve of tattoos heads over to the van then opens it. Holy shit! I blink, hoping it’s a hallucination from my lack of sleep. We make our way to the gruesome scene. A lump forms in the pit of my stomach, and my jaw clenches tightly.
“Where’s the dog?” one of the men say from behind me.
“I stopped to take a piss. He attacked the fuck out of me and got away,” another one retorts.
“You shoot it?”
“I said I was taking a piss. He ran off.”
“Told you the dog was a bad idea. Dumb ass.”
I block out their voices, flicking my gaze to Marcus and Warren, finding their only focus is the coke. Neither one of them sparing a glance at the decapitated bodies, or the young girl that’s gagged and bound between them. She’s very much alive, petrified, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She can’t be much older than thirteen.
Flies swarm the headless corpses, and bile creeps up my throat.
“Are those her parents?”
“Not anymore,” Salinas replies, brushing the hair away from her face.
She cringes from his touch.
A suggestive smile plays on his lips. “Pretty, isn’t she?” he asks.
I clench my fists, conflicted. “Sure.” I swallow, knowing her future doesn’t look so good. She’ll be lucky if she isn’t raped, sold, or murdered like her parents. “What do you plan to do with her?”