Page 103 of Hart of Vengeance
“You’re dead, Hart.” He flicked his chin at Duke. “Both of you.”
Duke’s nostrils flared. “Careful, Alvarez. You’re incriminating yourself in front of the law.”
A cop escorted Tito and Lou out of the club.
Hughes smoothed his fingers over his salt-and-pepper mustache. The man had gone a bit gray in the six years since he’d arrested me. “We have enough to put him away for life.”
Jade sobbed, and my heart splintered.
“Can you take the cuffs off me?” I asked Hughes. “Unless you’re taking me to jail.”
“You did shoot someone intentionally, and he was unarmed,” Hughes said as a matter of fact.
I would’ve kept shooting Tito until he came clean, but I didn’t say that. “I didn’t kill him. Besides, don’t I get a pat on the back for taking a true murderer off the streets?”
“Hughes,” Travers said, “we agreed I could have my go at Denim before you take him in. We have some unfinished business.”
I should’ve been worried, but I wasn’t. Tito had confessed, and while I hadn’t gotten him to give up a time and location on his gun shipment, I didn’t need the FBI anymore.
Hughes pinched his chin. “When you’re done with Duke and Denim, let me know. I need to question the others anyway.” He sauntered off toward Jade.
I glanced over my shoulder at my girl and mouthed, “I love you.”
She smiled weakly. I was sure she was worried about whether or not she was going to spend some time behind bars. But she didn’t have to worry. She hadn’t done a thing but bring the gun. If she hadn’t, I wasn’t sure Tito would’ve talked.
I cleared my throat. “Are you going to say something, Agent Travers?”
He briefly closed his eyes, no doubt trying to temper his anger, which was evident with the muscle ticking along his jaw. “You didn’t get me what I wanted.”
“I tried.” I packed as much sincerity in those two words as I could. Because I had tried.
Duke stood by me and listened.
An exaggerated sigh escaped Travers. “I should penalize your girl for interrupting things.”
I growled low, grinding my teeth together. “Careful, Travers. I wouldn’t want to have my lawyer contact your superior for harassment.”
He laughed. “I like you, Denim.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’ll get what I want.” He glanced at Duke. “It’s only a matter of time before your brother fucks up.”
Duke kept his mouth shut even though I could detect an air of smugness around him.
I shrugged. “Not my business.” I had other unpleasant words to fire at Travers, but we were ending on a good note, so I zipped my lips.
“Ted,” Travers shouted. “He’s all yours.” Then Travers said to Duke, “A word alone.”
My brother didn’t protest as he followed Travers to a quiet spot away from the traffic.
My pulse sped up as worry cinched my gut. I couldn’t remember if Duke had said anything to incriminate himself before Jade stormed in. Then again, Duke had been well aware of the consequences.
Dillon came out of nowhere. “Hey.”
“How did you get in?” I imagined the club had cops everywhere outside.
He flicked his chin at Ted. “It helps to know the man in charge. You okay?”
