Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
After I made a few turns, I was almost certain I’d lost him, but then I saw him in the distance. I darted in and out of traffic, making my way to him. He led me on a chase across town and into the French Quarter. He must be headed home, and he had to know I would have found his address by now.
I lost him again, but I headed for his house. As I turned on Orleans Street, I saw him jump off the bike and run toward his town house. Did he think closing the door behind him would save him? I’d break it the fuck down.
I pulled into a small parking lot, jumped out, and ran back to his house. I charged onto the porch before reason assaulted me. What the fuck was I doing? I was about to break down Rafe’s door or come through his window, and he’d have every right to shoot me. My death wouldn’t even be considered a crime. He was just standing his ground.
I’d lost my mind. I was here to investigate Ivanov, and I was chasing Rafe across town. Literally. In a stolen car. That I did not need to commandeer. I really hoped it belonged to him or someone in his family.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Rafe stood there grinning. “Are you coming in or not?”
What the fuck?
He grabbed my arm and yanked me inside.
“What is happening?”
Rafe shook his head. “That’s what I asked you, so you’re first.”
“I told you. I saw Andretti following you, and I followed him to see what he was up to. What were you doing in that part of town?”
Rafe didn’t answer. He had been headed to the warehouse, but why? And why wouldn’t he drive there? I was sure he was meeting someone, a person he didn’t want to spook.
“When Andretti attacked you, I stepped in.”
“Were you protecting me so you wouldn’t want to lose your access to my backroom game?”
I huffed. “I didn’t want him to hurt you.”
“And why is that?”
I rolled my eyes. “Because…” What the hell was I supposed to say? Rafe was far from innocent, but he hadn’t done anything to warrant death, at least not tonight.
“Were you just playing the hero? Is that what you do? Take money cheating at casinos and use it to rid the world of bad guys.”
I shook my head.
He moved closer. “Let me tell you a little secret. I’m a bad guy too.”
“I know.”
“So why did you follow him? Why save me?”
“I was following him to get more information on Ivanov.”
“What do you know about the Russian?”
“That he’s evil, that he rapes boys, tortures them, kills them, or sells them to friends when he’s done.” If Rafe was involved with him, I’d signed my death warrant.
“Why are you looking for him?”
“So I can kill him.” I was supposed to bring him and his associates to justice, but I wanted him dead so he couldn’t get off on technicalities or get pardoned by some corrupt politician.
Rafe looked me up and down. “I’m still not convinced Andretti wasn’t angry about losing and out of his mind enough to kill over it.”
I sighed. “Maybe he was, and I fucking killed him.”
Rafe shrugged. “My brothers won’t care. When he tried to hurt me, he was dead already.”
I couldn’t manage to feel any guilt for what I’d done. I wasn’t going to let Andretti hurt Rafe. Fuck rules. I haven’t cared about them in years. Maybe it really was time for me to get out.
“What do you know about Ivanov?” I asked.
Rafe’s expression hardened. “Did you come to my casino because you thought I was involved, that I was working with that motherfucking perverted scum?”
He looked so offended I had to hold back a smile. “I needed to find out.”
“My family wants him dead more than you possibly could. He’s hurt us and our friends, and we will end him.”
“Then let’s work together.” I’d tried to do this Maria’s way, but that hadn’t worked out. I’d tell her I was captured, and I didn’t have a choice.
“Who are you really, Garfield?” Rafe asked.
“Not my name, and you don’t need to know anything other than our shared motives.”
“Yes, I do. I don’t work with people who want to reveal their real identities.”
“I’m here to stop Ivanov. That’s enough.”
He shook his head. “Who do you work for?”
“I told you. No one.”
“I didn’t buy that before, and I’m not buying it now. Why did you pick Ivanov for your vigilante tendencies? You want me to believe you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart?”
I huffed. “It sure as hell isn’t the salary.”
“Whose payroll are you on, and why do they undervalue you?”
That was a damn good question for Maria. “I can’t tell you that.”
“Will they kill you?”
I considered that. “Possibly.” If Maria didn’t, some CIA agent might be sent to silence me.