Page 26 of Jagger's Remorse
I don't like sending them without me, but when the cartel shows up unannounced, the VP doesn't leave.
That's how wars start.
"Get dressed," I order.
"Why?" But she sees my face, reads the tension. "Ah. Meeting time?"
"Something like that."
She stands, sheds my shirt without ceremony.
I should look away.
I don't.
Every scar tells a story she's fed me lies about.
Every mark maps out the weapon she's made herself into.
She takes her time dressing, knowing I'm watching.
Knowing what it does to me.
"Should I look more beaten?" she asks, examining her throat in the mirror. "The bruises are already fading."
"They'll want to see you responsive. Alive. Profitable."
"How disappointing for them." She finger-combs her hair. "I'm worth more dead."
"Don't."
"Don't what? Tell the truth?" She turns to face me. "My death is worth millions to the right people. My godfather would pay just to know who pulled the trigger."
"Eduardo Vasquez."
"You remembered." She smiles, cold and sharp. "Yes. Tío Eduardo loved his nephew. Loves me even more. The only reason he hasn't burned California down looking for me is because he loves me like I’m his true daughter."
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'm explaining the current values of the market, silly." She steps close, too close. "Alive, I'm worth whatever information you can extract. Dead, I'm worth a war."
The door rattles. "Jagger! Bring the merchandise."
Digger's voice, but there's an edge to it.
Fear.
Even he knows not to fuck with the cartel.
I grab Scarlett's arm, then stop.
Look at her.
Reallylook at her.
"Whatever happens out there?—"
"You'll protect me?" She laughs, bitter as black coffee. "Like you protected my father?"
