Page 76 of Ricochet

Adelia’s eyes narrowed on the slices running along the seams. Only when she looked did she spot obvious signs that the container had been rigged to support ventilation. “That’s inadequateat best.”

“We weren’t running the Ritz.”

She sliced a gaze Silvio’s way. “You think this is funny?”

“Ease up. Okay? If they don’t use me, they use someone else.”

Asshole.Lenora was right. Souls would burn in hell. “The temperatures alone could kill.” The sun would bake, or the cold could become extreme.

Adelia wasn’t sure she could leave the metal box even as the scent of urine and fecesstained her nostrils and throat. This could have been her. She’d been so close to this a lifetime ago. There was no telling where she would’ve gone if Mayhem hadn’t saved her. And… this was what she’d supported. “I had no idea.”

“Most people don’t,” Silvio added. “She’s—”

“She’s?” Lenora cut in. “We’ve gone fromtheytoshe.”

She… A woman was doing this to other women? Not that it was any betteror worse if a man did it.

“Who?” Adelia asked.

Silvio laughed harshly. “Like hell. We’re both going to die, but if I have my druthers, I’m opting for the cyanide route and as little pain as possible.”

She charged forward, wrapping her hands around his thick neck, digging her fingers into his tendons and windpipe as he strained, falling backward. They piled onto the concrete, and she waitedfor Lenora’s command to let him go. His eyes searched for the same. Silvio clawed to unwrap her hands. It didn’t come. Lenora would let her do it.

Adelia dropped her face to his. Her rage fueled her strength, pumping blood into her muscles and making her temples pound and pulse. “Who is she?”

He gasped and choked, sputtering until he nodded. She released her chokehold. “Who?”

“You’ll,” he panted,“never… believe.”

“Try me.”

“Gloria Astor,” he said slowly.

Adelia sat back on his drumstick stomach, and Lenora snorted so hard she coughed.

“Bull,” Adelia snarled. “Who?”

“I swear.” He propped an elbow up. “Get off me, and I’ll prove it.”

Adelia cast a glance at Lenora, who lifted her chin. Adelia pushed off, and they let him stagger up. On his feet again, he put his hands on his knees,hanging his head. His shiny bald spot on swayed side to side.

“Start talking, my friend,” Lenora encouraged.

Silvio straightened, smoothing his jacket. “You know who Gloria Astor is?”

“Yeah,” Adelia snipped. “A living legend for all the good she’s done in the world.”

“Man,” Silvio said quietly. “She’s got you fooled. The entire world. It’s right in front of your faces. Quite literally, andyou can’t see it.”

“What are you talking about?” Adelia took a step closer. “You said you could prove it. Do it.”

“Look around!” He threw his arms to the side. “I shouldn’t even have to say a word. Look the fuck around.”

Adelia did and saw nothing but the same hideous hole that smelled like death and shit. The door read ASTOR SHIPPING. Lenora must’ve seen it at the same time because their glancescollided without a word.

Every muscle felt a hundred pounds heavier, colder. She tried to move, but dread froze her in place until Adelia forced herself into the walkway. ASTOR SHIPPING. The two words were on almost every shipping container she could see.

“Like I had a choice about what I could double book,” Silvio said. “She owns the transport for the majority of every port, every liner, everyshipment in the world.”

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