Page 92 of Marked

Another deep, rattling snore shook the man’s shoulders.

Reaching into the waistband of his pants, Cole retrieved his gun. Without wasting a second, he crammed the mouth of the weapon between Lawson’s lips.

Lawson jumped and swatted at the gun, but then his gaze landed on Cole, and he froze. A low cry sounded from the back of his throat. Cole shoved the weapon further between his teeth.

“Make a sound and I’ll blow your fucking head off.”

Tears leaked out of the corners of Lawson’s eyes, and he nodded vigorously.

“Who’s leading the trafficking ring while you’re here?”

Lawson closed his eyes, as if accepting that he’d die today whether it be from Cole’s bullet or his handler’s.

“Answer me now.”

Lawson lifted both hands and gestured at the air for Cole to remove the gun. Cole pulled it out of his mouth but hovered the silencer’s muzzle at the man’s lips.

“Adrian Larsh.”

Bingo.

The name confirmed everything Dare had discovered. Cole moved his index finger on the trigger. “Where is he?”

“I-I don’t know. I heard about the shooting at the farm. Figured that was you.”

“Was he there that night?”

Lawson shook his head. “Nah, man. He’s only been more active in the last few days, since I’ve been laid up. Normally he keeps his face away from meetings.”

“Where can I find him?

“I don’t know. Honest. He—”

Cole placed his elbow on Lawson’s suspended leg.

Lawson’s eyes turned into two huge, shit-colored plates. “Fuck! Okay. Don’t. Just leave my leg. You already shattered my femur.”

Satisfaction made Cole pull back his shoulders. “Yeah? Good. That’s the least you deserve. Now tell me where he is.”

“Look. I don’t have an address for him. No one does. But there’s a meeting tonight regarding the next shipment—”

“Shipment of children?”

Lawson shriveled in the bed.

Cole’s blood turned hot, searing his veins. “Where’s the meeting?”

“At the warehouse.” He pointed at his phone on the food tray and then slowly reached for it.

Cole waved him on and watched as Lawson tapped the screen and pulled up a map. He turned the device to show Cole.

Keeping his gun trained on Lawson, Cole pulled out his phone and took a photo of the image.

“You know if you tell anyone you gave me this info they’ll kill you, right?”

Lawson nodded. “I ain’t saying shit.”

“And if it turns out you’re lying or the meeting gets canceled, I’m coming back.”

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