“You think you can do better?” Gage places a cigarette between his lips and gets in my face. “Be my guest,” he says, bumping my shoulder as he walks out of the room. “Five minutes,” he grumbles. I watch him ‘til he’s gone, then turn to Samuel and bend down so we’re eye to eye.
“Look, I need you to be honest with me, Samuel.” I gesture over my shoulder. “You want him to rape your wife … kill your children?” I ask, untying the gag.
“Please, you’ve got to believe me,” he says.
I watch as beads of sweat cover his face. “We paid them a visit the other day. If you care about your family, you’ll tell us everything. Where is the money?”
One of his eyes is swollen shut, and his face is bloody. “I told him,” he moans. “I had the money—went where they told me to go, waited about fifteen minutes. Nobody came,” he replies convincingly. “I called Glenn and asked him if there was some kind of miscommunication.” He swallows. “Then, before I knew it, everything went black.” He shakes his head. “You’ve got to believe me,” he pleads. “Please, don’t let them hurt my family. They’re innocent!”
“If someone took the money, why’d they leave you alive? What would be the point?” I ask.
“I don’t know … to buy time maybe. To make me look guilty. C’mon, it makes sense!” His eyes widen. “You could be out looking for them, but instead you’re wasting time on me!”
“Who took it?” Gage asks from behind me. Marcus and Warren stand beside him.
Samuel looks out of steam. “I told you, the cartel. Untie me, man. It wasn’t me. Valdez took the money!”
“He’s worked with Glenn for years. Why would he do it?” Gage replies.
“Because he’s evil!” Samuel cries. “Everyone knows that.”
“Not good enough.” A second later there’s a loud pop. I crouch down to the floor and hear several more.
“What the hell, man?” I glance over my shoulder. Gage stands, pointing his gun towards Samuel’s now executed body, ready to unleash some more. I look down and find his blood all over me. The rest of it drains from his body to the floor.
“I think you got him,” Marcus grumbles before Gage releases a couple more.
I walk out of the room, my blood boiling, my head ready to explode.
“Where are you going?” Gage asks.
Pressing my lips into a tight line, I turn to face him. “That wasn’t your call in there.” I point back to the room. My fists are clenched tight. I can barely stand to look at him. If Andrew doesn’t come through with some news, I’m going to crack.
A menacing grin crosses his face. “You sayin’ it was yours?” he asks, lifting his brows.
“I’m saying I believed him. I’m saying he didn’t have to die.” Filthy prick.
“He lost the money. If Glenn doesn’t get paid, we don’t get paid. I’m not sure about you, but when it comes to food on the table, there ain’t any room for second chances.”
“You and I are nothing alike,” I reply, pushing out the exit.
He follows behind. “C’mon. We got shit to do.” He walks down the road and breaks into a silver Honda, placing the AK in the back.
I cock a brow. “What kind of shit?”
His head tips toward the shop. “They’ll take care of the body.”
That wasn’t an answer, and I need to get as far away from him as possible. I do a once over of my appearance, still covered in Samuel’s blood. “Nah, I’m going home. I need a shower.”
The corner of his mouth tips. “You’ll have to wait. We aren’t finished.”
“Finish without me. You can handle it.” My eyes move to the weapon in the back.
“Handle it I can, but your father has orders. It’s time to prove your loyalty. You think you’re ready to do that?”
My eyes narrow. “Are you shitting me? Haven’t I done that already?” I make my way around the car, then get in and slam the door, knowing there’s no way around this.
Gage cackles before driving us away. “You sure you want me to answer that?” His eyes stay on the road. We merge to the right and take the highway that leads to Phoenix.
“Where the hell are we going?” My heart rate quickens. I don’t want this guy anywhere near Reese—not even in the same city. The same state is too close.
“Tying up some loose ends.” He purses his lips. “You don’t have any loose ends, do ya, Luke?”
“What are you talking about? No, I don’t have any loose ends,” I reply.