Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“He runs the security detail for Lilah’s father,” Adams replies, amusement in his tone, “and since the safety of the governor-elect is critical, we’ll let him stay.”
In that short statement I don’t miss the way he’s managed to point out to Leonard that the governor-elect is my father, which to most would be a warning and demand for respect. Leonard doesn’t blink. He’s scared of Kane, of that I do not doubt, but not enough to smash his ambition and inside that ambition is his desire to take down the great Kane Mendez, who he believes to be the kingpin himself. He reminds me of one of the many people who’ve come after Kane, and saw nothing but the big takedown ahead of them they’d highlight on their resume.
They all failed.
And so will Leonard.
Kane could not be more ready for him and it’s in that moment that Kane steps into our circle, and I can almost feel the exhaustion beating at him, but still, he’s here, which would not be without good reason, most likely a lethal one at that. He doesn’t even look at the other two men, his attention fixed on me. “Can we talk?” He’s close, more than is socially accepted in this circumstance, which tells me something has him feeling as possessive as he does protective, not that this is all that new with us. We started playing the tug of war over his desired dominance years before I ever said I do.
And as much as I assume Kane is here to do damage control over pulling his men last night, and I need those details, there’s another pressing issue. Why did Adams pair me with an agent who’s placed a target on my husband’s back? Now is the time for both Adams and Leonard to understand the mistake they are making. They want dirty. They need to understand we are the dictionary definition of vengeance. “Of course,” I reply to Kane, “but have you met Director Adams?”
“No,” he says, his gaze fixing on my new pretend boss, but he says nothing else. Not a word. I love it. There is nothing more intimidating than silence.
Adams shifts uncomfortably. “A man of few words is a smart man.”
“And this is Special Agent Damion Leonard,” I say, but Kane is still watching Adams, sizing him up, I suspect, but I’m about to get his attention. “Leonard objects to pretty much everything about you because he says you’re a drug lord,” I announce.
Kane’s brutal stare lands heavily on Leonard. “And you base this on what?”
“It’s known,” Leonard states, defiance in the lift of his chin.
Kane’s brow arches. It’s a wicked brow, too. “By you?”
“It’s known,” Leonard insists.
“And yet, here I stand, not behind bars,” Kane replies, his tone sardonic. “You know what they say about law enforcement who assume they know the truth because of rumors?”
“You’re not more original than that?” Leonard says snidely. “Assuming makes a fool of you and me. Everyone knows that saying.”
“There you go assuming again,” Kane mocks, sounding bored at this point. “I was going to say that FBI agents who assume they know the truth without facts end up dead.”
He bristles and straightens. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s a learning moment, agent,” Adams interjects and smartly. “Kane’s been well stalked by many such as you who hoped to make him a notch on their proverbial belt. Harassment will get you sued and fired. It would be impossibly awkward if the husband of the agent you’re reporting to on this case was suing us and you.” His eyes meet mine as he adds. “Go talk to Kane and make sure your father is well protected. We don’t need another dead body.”
I’m not sure if he’s talking about my father or Leonard.
“No one examines the victim before me,” I say, and I don’t want hordes of people in there when I do my examination.” My attention falls on Leonard. “If you’re nice, you can come with me. I’ll explain how I think his hands were cut off.” And with that, I turn to Kane, the contempt in his eyes transforming to laughter. But as we fall into step, walking to the SUV, there’s nothing in him but stone cold, seriousness.
I don’t even try to anticipate what is coming. Right now, the list of problems includes: Ghost, Kane’s father, Junior, and a victim with no hands. If I have to add another item to this list, I might be the one killing someone.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Once we’re inside the vehicle, I note Enrique is present and behind the wheel, which means he too got yanked out of bed, and I turn to face him. “What’s wrong? Why are you both not asleep right now?”
“Your fucking father won’t stop calling us, leaving us near incoherent messages. The only thing I got out of it was someone is dead and Ghost is somehow involved, oh and I’m to blame. In the name of all that is holy, what is going on?”