Page 17 of Double Edged Hearts
“No… I’m not going to tell you to stop being a fed if that’s what you want to do,” he answers.
Annoyance fills me. I hate that he put it that way—if that’s what I want to do…“If I didn’t want to be a fed, I wouldn’t be,” I throw back.
“You can tell yourself whatever you want. I’m not going to mess with whatever that pretty little head of yours is telling you in regards to your chosen career. That’s for you to decide. I won’t be a bastard and tell you to stop being who you want to be.”
“So, what are you going to tell me?”
“I don’t want you on this case, Cora. That’s what I’m going to tell you,” he answers shocking me. “Matvey is a very dangerous man.”
My skin heats, and I bite down hard on my back teeth. “That’s classified information. You shouldn’t know about Matvey.”
“Fuck classified, and fuck what I should know and shouldn’t know. If you’re doing something dangerous, I’m going to tell you. He’s dangerous.”
“Aren’t you all?” I counter.
“Cora, don’t piss with me. You know what I mean.”
“Do you know him? Is he one of your friends?” I’m so enraged that he checked on me like that, that I don’t care what I’m saying.
“No… I don’t know him. But I know enough, and I don’t want you working on this case. Whatever reason brought him here is not something you or your team can stop. He’ll have help in high places.”
My blood runs cold. “What do you mean?”
He sighs with frustration. “Doll… this is Chicago. You don’t know this city like I do. You people don’t know what you’re up against. He’s here to do some shit that’s above you. And rest assured he’s going to be working with someone high up. A guy like that always is.”
These are all the worries that have already raced through my mind. We knew someone hired him. That’s the way arms dealers work. They’re always on a job. It goes without saying that the person or people who hired him would have serious money, but Alex’s suggestion of someone high up means a little more than that.
He’s suggesting it’s someone with some sort of notable control and authority or wealth. It’s not unusual for a case of this nature to involve political figures, or people of that caliber. It’s not something I should rule out. Given that Matvey crossed the sea unnoticed and only happened to get caught on camera by chance I’m inclined to agree.
“You won’t catch this guy so easily,” he adds. “And if you get caught in his trap, he’ll kill you. And he has a nasty taste for women that I don’t like.”
Goosebumps spread over my skin along with the icy tendrils of fear. I know it’s foolish not to heed the warning, but I can’t run away from my responsibility.
“It’s my job, and I’m going to do it. I was well aware of the job specs when I chose to become what I am,” I insist, staring him head on. “Knowing danger is on the horizon isn’t going to scare me away.” That part’s a lie, but I’m saying it anyway.
“It should.”
“It won’t.”
“Cora, you are so fucking stubborn,” he fumes.
“Yes I am stubborn and you know what? I’m leaving,” I say taking a step forward. He stops me by setting a heavy hand on my shoulder.
Alex shakes his head. “No. I’m not done talking yet.”
“I’m done talking to you. I’m working this case whether you like it or not.” I sound more ballsy than I feel, and I have to admit there’s a certain air of triumph in standing my ground.
“That fucker is dangerous and I don’t want you working on this case.” He releases me and straightens up, hardening his gaze.
“We’re not together anymore so you can’t tell me what to do,” I retort.
With a savage growl he moves to me and I back away right into the wall. He throws a fist into the hard surface right beside my head and I flinch.
“Like fuck I can’t. After last night you’re gonna throw that shit to me?” he rivets his gaze to mine.
“You know we can’t be together, Alex.”
“Why not?”
