Page 47 of Dealing Dirty
“But you ended up losing them anyway,” I say, shifting uncomfortably.
His stare is intense, but it no longer holds its steely bite. Before, he was all too eager to gobble me up, but now, his eyes almost plead with me to give him an answer. He’s searching for something, but what it is, I can’t be sure.
“A good informant would know she should trade information with her captor to avoid being captured.”
I don’t want to soften toward the man, but here I am, soft as butter. “Give me something worthwhile, and I’ll be the judge of whether or not it’s enough to coerce something from my—what did you call them? Delicious lips?”
Embers reignite behind his eyes. “Tell your little clan it’s too late. Bruce has already begun the process of filtering narcotics in and out his casinos. If he has it his way, The Pound will be next.”
The Pound.My newfound home and family. No, I can’t let this happen.
“Fair is fair. Explain yourself,” he says gruffly.
I already know I’m going to regret this.
“I came here tonight to stop your men from hurting the officer you were after.” There’s an intensity spreading in my chest, one I haven’t acknowledged since the day Bruce betrayed us. I’ve been shoving it down, treating it with sleeping pills, letting that fear fester and control me—but no more.
My chin puffs up and I fist my hands as Jackie looms, providing nowhere to escape. “Bruce is a dangerous man with evil intentions. I don’t expect someone like you to understand when I say this, but his reign in Mackville is over.”
Pushing away from the wall, I edge toward him, forcing him to back away from me one careful step at a time. “Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but mark my words. There will come a time when Diablo is no more. I’m betting my life on it.”
I’m met with a cold blank stare as seconds stretch to minutes between us.
“If you’re as smart as I think you are, you’ll join us in taking the bastard down,” I say, cocking a brow. “Besides, aren’t you tired of being his little callboy?”
I expect Jackie’s angry gaze. I even expect him to reach out and grab a hold of me. But Idon’texpect him to look me dead in the eye, with one hand snaking its way between us as he mutters four simple, yet damning words. “You’ve got a deal.”
Chapter Fourteen
Derrick
Just three more steps.
All this smoke is making it difficult to get a deep breath. I cough to clear my lungs as I coax my shoulders down from my ears. There’s a naked wall before me, boasting only a small counter with a soda fountain and an old coffeepot that looks to have survived the first World War.
The few times I’d met with Jack and Ben at Royals, the tables were inviting and clean, and refreshments were at every corner—not to mention that giant all-glass bar.
In comparison, this place is a dump.
Sasha’s ballcap does little to hide her red hair and freckle-covered face. Even with her baggy sweater and loose-fitting pants, I would still be able to spot her a mile away.
Her body tenses as I approach, and I try to keep my expression blank when I glimpse the humor tugging the corner of her mouth.
Seems the eyeliner and biker getup aren’t fooling her, either.
The Styrofoam cup I reach for before grabbing the handle of the coffeepot sticks against my damp palm. Brown liquid makes a glopping sound as I pour myself a cupful. I sneer down at the thick consistency and place the pot back on the grimy burner.
I don’t know what the fuck this is, but it isn’t coffee.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, casually reaching for the pot and pouring some for herself. She cringes at the viscous liquid.
“Saving your ass,” I say.
There’s been no sign of Ben, but from my periphery, I can see a couple of guards speaking into their headsets. We’re flying under the radar… for now.
Sasha keeps her head down, covering her face with the bill of her hat. When the two guards step away from their post, she visibly relaxes. “That’s funny. Didn’t know I was in need of saving.”
Taking several sugar packets from the little jars in front of us, I take my time tearing one before shaking it into my cup.
