Page 132 of Jagger's Remorse
I glance at Scarlett. See the recognition in her eyes. We'd do exactly what he did. For family, you break every rule.
"Here's what's gonna happen," Rico continues, enjoying his moment. "You're gonna put down your weapons. Get on your knees. And I'm gonna execute you one by one while Mouse watches. Payment for Butcher."
"Counter-offer," I suggest. "You let the woman and kid go, and I'll make your death quick."
Rico laughs. "You're outnumbered."
This idiot has no idea how many people we have here. "Quality over quantity."
"Besides," a new voice emerges from the shadows. "Who says you have the numbers?"
My blood freezes.
Pablo Delgado steps into the light, very much not dead.
Older than the photos I've seen, but unmistakable.
The family resemblance to Scarlett is strong—same sharp features, same predator's grace.
Scarlett goes rigid beside me. "TíoPablo?"
"Hello,sobrina." He smiles, all teeth. "Surprised?"
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Does it matter when I sold you to the Iron Veins? All part of my plan." He spreads his hands like a showman revealing his trick. "Let you get close to the men who killed my brother. Let you remove Diego from the board. Position yourself with Eduardo."
It’s all clicking into place. Sure, I had my own plans… but I knew nothing about his. "Youusedme."
"I groomed you. There's a difference." His eyes glitter with satisfaction. "You think Eduardo's the only one playing long games? I've been planning this for years. Before Miguel died, even."
"Planning what?"
"Your ascension, of course. And your fall." He produces a folder, thick with documents. "Everything's here. Video of you killing Diego. Staging deaths. Lying to Eduardo. He'll be very interested to see how his goddaughter really operates."
Understanding dawns cold and terrible across Scarlett's face.
"You want Sinaloa," she breathes.
"IdeserveSinaloa. I'm blood. Real blood. Not some orphan Eduardo took pity on." The venom in his voice could strip paint. "Miguel was weak, but he was my brother. His territory should pass to me, not his bastard daughter."
"I'm not a bastard?—"
"Aren't you? Your mother was a whore who?—"
The shot cracks through the night.
Pablo staggers, hand going to his shoulder and blood seeps between his fingers.
Scarlett lowers her pistol slightly. "Talk poorly about her again. I dare you."
"You little bitch," Pablo snarls. "You're just like her. Pretty face hiding a rabid dog."
"Oh, andTío?" Scarlett adds coldly. "Tina says hello. Did you really think we wouldn't figure out you were running her too? Paying off her debts in exchange for information?"
Pablo's eyes widen slightly. "How did you?—"
"She cracked late last night. Told us everything. How you recruited her after her old man died. How you've been playing both sides—feeding Three Devils information while positioning yourself to take over when Eduardo falls."
