Page 109 of Cartel King

“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.”

I point toward Gérard.

“Who sent you?”

“I don’t know. It was anonymous for me. My instructions said to meet Johann, and we’d do the job together. At first, we didn’t know why someone wanted us to watch you then kill you. Diaz came around, and we figured he was the reason. We never knew who you really are.”

“How much were you paid?”

“Five-hundred-thousand up front, a million when the job is done.”

I look over at the German. “What about you?”

“Same deal.”

“Is that the price just for me? Or is that price for Enrique? Or is it for both of us?”

“That price is for you. If we take out thejefe de jefes, we each get a seven-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar bonus.”

I chuckle.

“I’ve always been expensive, but I had no idea I’d cost more than one of the wealthiest men in the world.”

Enrique steps beside me and kisses my temple. “Cariño, you are priceless.”

With Enrique standing beside me, his handgun pointed toward Gérard, I train my rifle on Johann.

“Who arranged this?”

He hesitates a moment too long, so I put another bullet through his other shin. If I do too much more, he’ll pass out sooner and will be of no use to me. Eventually, he’ll slide into unconsciousness from the pain and blood loss, so I need information now. I’ll take my chances on him passing out in hopes this incentivizes him to spit out the info. Not that he’ll survive this, but if he did, he’d never walk again. I’ve shattered both legs.

“I don’t know for sure, but the IP address was from Russia, but that means nothing.”

I gesture to a guard. “Can you get his cell phone, please?”

The guy reaches into Johann’s pocket and pulls it out. He uses the retinal scan to unlock it.

“Pull up the message.”

It requires he have one hand free, so I nod to the guard. Johann taps on his phone screen, then we watch him scroll until he reaches out with his phone. The guard clamps his hand on Johann’s shoulder as I take it from him. He can only keep his arm at the height it’s at now. The guard’s merciless grip forces his hand down once I take the device. I step back and Enrique takes my spot, his gun now to Johann’s forehead.

With my gun pointing toward the ground, I read a post on the dark web with a specific request for my elimination. It describes me as a Mafioso’s former wife, not as a Mafia accountant or mercenary. I see Enrique mentioned nowhere. I scan the date and realize this posted shortly after I finalized my divorce. That gives me a moment’s pause.

I hadn’t considered Tim at all.

I don’t know what to make of this.

I never thought he would do something like put a hit out on me. Now I can’t help but question all the years we were together. If he hates me enough to kill his own children’s mother…

My mind rebels at that notion. While it wouldn’t be impossible, it still isn’t a theory that resonates with me. I continue to scroll, then tap the back button to see what else I can find in Johann’s messages.

There’s a more recent one where he explains to the anonymous client that I’m with Enrique. The response includes the bonus for eliminating him. These messages are dated two weeks after we started walking together.

I continue to search the man’s phone, finding additional messages with updates for the client. However, nothing gives me any hints about who hired these men.

Alejandro steps beside Enrique, leaving his father leaning against the car. “Tío, everything’s set.”

I know that means they’re ready to find Catalina. I look at the guards holding each man.

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