Page 14 of K-9 Justice

Ivy joined him in front of the gate, responding in a singsong rhythm. “And there’s plenty of places to hide a body or two.”

Max huffed between them. Almost desperate to get this over with. The pressure growing heavier in Ivy’s chest agreed. The sooner they could get out of this dark, rotting hellhole, the better. Preferably alive. The main building spread out to her left. She clocked two single roll-up doors and an expansive warehouse built from white metal sheeting. No vehicles parked in front. Aboveground power lines cut across the single-lane road they’d taken to get here and disappeared into the dark. This place was isolated. Far from prying eyes. And much larger than any auto recycling operation she’d come across before. “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”

He raised his gaze to the corner of the gate. “Smile for the camera, Ms. Dixon.”

Dixon. She hadn’t used that alias in years. Which meant Carson didn’t trust Sebastian with her real identity. Why?

Her curiosity got the best of her, and Ivy directed her attention to the surveillance camera mounted overhead. The gate snapped open without being touched, and Carson pushed inside. Remote locks. The spotlight died out the moment she followed after, leaving white spots across her vision. Disorientation acted as an operative’s best friend, and whoever the hell was inside knew it.

Ivy itched to unholster her weapon, but a move like that would put both her and Carson in danger before they’d gotten the information they needed. She followed her partner’s lead, Max trailing a few steps behind. Only a few dimmed lights punctured into the overhang of the main building lit their way. Multiple rows of cars—every make and model—had been arranged in rows as far as the eye could see, and she couldn’t help but wonder ifSangre por Sangrehad utilized their pick of illegal VINs over the years. Perhaps switched out a few license plates. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Rojas.”

The back of the property rose into somewhat of a hill and showcased additional vehicles parked facing toward them, adding strain to her already-tight muscles.

“That’s far enough, Rojas,” a voice said from the shadows clinging to the warehouse. “You know the drill. Weapons, please.”

Carson slowed, then pulled to a stop at a side door to the building. Unholstering his sidearm, he spread his arms wide before tossing the weapon a few feet ahead of them. “I come in peace.”

“Does she?” a voice asked from the dark.

An invisible pool of dread leaked into her gut. There was no way in hell she was giving up her weapon. Not to a man tied to the very organization who’d killed innocent people for profit and domination.

Putting her in his sights, Carson nodded at her sidearm. “He won’t talk to us unless we’re unarmed.”

“Then I guess this was all a waste of time.” Ivy searched the darkness for a shape, an outline, for any evidence they weren’t walking straight into a cartel ambush. One hand on the butt of her weapon. The weight of Carson’s gaze remained on her in expectation, but she wouldn’t budge. Not for the slim chance of getting what they came for. There had to be another way.

Carson lowered his arms, turning to face her. In an instant, he’d closed the distance between them, each footstep punctuated with the groan of wet gravel and dirt. He slipped his palm over the back of her hand set against her sidearm. “For Dr. Piel.”

Three words. That was all it took for her to release her hold. To give up her only protection. Because the truth was Ivy owed Nafessa Piel whatever it took to bring her killer to justice. Months of conversations, of shared meals, of invites into personal spaces. Thousands of texts and emails. For thefirst time—possibly since she’d been ten years old—she’d had a friend. Someone who wasn’t scared of her murderous past or holding a personal agenda. It didn’t matter Socorro’s physician might have had a connection to the cartel. Ivy didn’t care. This killer—the man who’d targeted four women—used those victims as a warning to those wanting to leave the cartel behind. Which meant it was possible Nafessa wanted to leave the cartel behind. She’d wanted out.

Ivy’s hands shook as Carson drew her weapon from her shoulder holster, tossing it beside his before turning back to the owner of that mysterious voice. Disorientation. Vulnerability. These were the attributes of someone who liked to be in power. In control. But Ivy wouldn’t give in.

“That’s better.” Movement registered near the building, but the moon’s light wasn’t strong enough to reach into those dark places, leaving Ivy blind. “Now, to what do I owe this visit from my old friend?”

As though Carson Lang had never existed, Dominic Rojas took shape in her partner’s features. Harder, more intimidating, stronger. The kind of man who used that strength to overpower others. It was an impossible—almost supernatural—shift that left her cold. “I’m calling in my debt, Sebastian.”

“I see.” Gravel crunched beneath heavy footsteps as Sebastian moved to the edge between light and dark. Though Ivy still couldn’t see his face, the gun aimed at her and Carson was perfectly clear. “In that case, come on in.”

* * *

“Te voy a matar.”I’ll kill you for this.His Spanish had gone rusty in the years he’d chosen to speak his mother’s language of origin, but the message was perfectly clear. Sebastian would pay for this. Every defense Carson owned shot into the forefront of his mind as he raised his hands, palms forward. He maneuvered in front of Ivy. “We had a deal.”

Max growled low in her throat, ready for the command to strike, and Carson was almost ready to give it.

“And yet you brought Socorro’s CEO straight to my door,mi amigo. Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t recognize the woman responsible forSangre por Sangre’s destruction?” Sebastian kept his face in shadow, using the warehouse behind him as an added layer of protection. “Because of her, our brothers and sisters are six feet underground.”

He had a decision to make, a split-second reaction that would either get him and Ivy killed or give her a chance to walk away. Carson turned on Ivy, advancing with every pound he had on her. “Is that so? You told me your name was Christine Dixon, and you sure as hell didn’t say anything about being involved with Socorro Security.”

Ivy notched her chin higher, but there wasn’t an ounce of confusion in her expression. She was good at this. Had trained him well in their too-short time together as partners. “Would you have brought me here if I had?”

He reached for her. Secured a hand around her neck and pulled her into his chest. Not in the least bit hurting her. It was all for show. A way for them to get out of this alive together. Her hands latched around his wrists, her thumb directly over the thinnest section of skin. His pulse skyrocketed as he tried to find a way to get her out of here. “I don’t like being lied to.”

Carson cut his gaze toward the back of the property, where the lights from the warehouse didn’t reach so easily. She was going to have to run.

“I’ll send you an apology card.” Her shoulders tensed. A split second before she rammed her knee into the top of his thigh.

Pain lightninged down his leg, but it was nothing compared to the real thing of taking a strike to the groin. He released his hold on her neck and hit the ground. Ivy took off, kicking up gravel and wet dirt behind her.

A gunshot exploded from behind as Sebastian attempted to stop her from escaping. The bullet ricocheted off the nearest vehicle with a spark. Missing his partner.

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