Page 89 of Jagger's Remorse
My heart stops.
Eduardo's eyebrows rise.
"Love?" He looks at me. "Is this true?"
I want to deny it.
Can't.
"It's complicated," I manage.
"Love always is," Eduardo agrees. "But it doesn't change facts. You were sent to kill him. Instead, Diego is dead."
"Diego overstepped," I say. "He took an innocent woman. Tortured her. Threatened her life."
"I know," Eduardo says. "I've seen the video."
Of course, he has.
"You knew Diego was a sadist," I point out.
"I knew Diego was effective," Eduardo corrects. "Until you corrupted him with failure."
"I didn't corrupt anyone," I argue.
"No?" Eduardo moves another piece. "Five years of reports. Your training, your progress, your dedication. Then suddenly, silence. Diego stops reporting. When he resurfaces, it's with stories of obsession. Of you choosing this man over family."
"I chose myself," I say firmly.
"Did you?" Eduardo challenges. "Or did you let emotion cloud your judgment? Let your father's killer seduce you from your purpose?"
"My purpose was revenge," I remind him.
"Your purpose was whatever I decided," Eduardo snaps. "I invested in you. Trained you. Protected you. And this is how you repay me?"
"By not becoming a mindless weapon?" I shoot back.
The slap comes fast.
Not hard enough to truly hurt.
Just enough to remind me of my place.
Jagger tenses beside me, but I grab his hand under the table.
Don't.
"You forget yourself," Eduardo says mildly. "Perhaps this man's influence. Perhaps Diego was right about you getting soft."
"I'm not soft," I insist.
"Prove it," Eduardo challenges.
He signals one of his men, who brings a box.
Inside, a knife and a brand.
The cartel mark.
