Page 7 of The Wicked
“Marino,” the man—Angelo—said in greeting.
“¿Qué dije?”What did I say?The Wicked had a small edge to his voice that almost had me believing he was angry. “Did I not say they were lone rangers? But Casmiro knows best, no? Now I have wasted my time and my resources.”
“I see…” His gaze flicked to me, then his boss. “Should I call Casmiro?”
“Leave it. There is no point in dragging out something that doesn’t deserve the time and energy. Oversee this case. Have your people dispose of the others, make this one watch, and then dispose of her too. Before you do that, increase the heat enough to make the skin burn. It is only right to prepare sinners for what awaits them after death.”
Angelo nodded, gaze sweeping in my direction again. His eyes showed no form of hesitation, and I knew he would follow through with it.
The Wicked handed the gun to Angelo, adjusting his collar as he began walking to the door.
No, I can’t let it end like this. There must be something—anything—think, Zahra—think, think—
“You’re making a mistake!” My voice rang out in desperation, and he halted.
Angelo’s brows shot up in surprise.
Silence followed until slowly, ever so slowly, The Wicked turned to me, his brows dropped in confusion. I understood that expression.
Anyone in my position would be begging for their life, but me? I wanted to make a proposition.
He took a few steps back to me. “I am… making a mistake?”
I didn’t take my eyes off his. “Yes,” I breathed. “If you kill us, you’ll be making a big mistake.”
“Pray tellwhyyou think this?”
I swallowed. “I can help you.”
His gaze moved to Angelo’s interested one.
“Help me?” he asked, eyes on me once more.
“Yes.”
“Why would I want the help of a child?”
Despite the sarcasm in his tone, I bit out my response with a scowl. “I’m twenty-six.”
“Ah… And here I thought you were a child, throwing a tantrum.”
There was a short silence before he nodded. “Okay, Sport, I’ll bite. What does that little head of yours think it can help me with?”
“My people and I are efficient,” I started, “fast, and skilled. We can get in and out of a building without getting seen. I know your syndicate has a legal face, but you should know that sometimes, you must mix the legal with the illegal. We are like shadows, and we can slip into your legal spaces and turn things to your favor without anyone ever guessing you might have been involved—if you know what I mean.”
He nodded. “Hm.” He shoved both hands into his pockets again. “Everything you just said would have been a compelling reason to keep you and your people alive if you weren’t tied up in a chair after being caught by me.”
“That wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t leave something behind.”
“Hm.”
“I know my mistakes, and I know better than to make them again.”
He looked like he was pondering hard, gaze searching myface. “So, you agree to be indebted to me for the rest of your life?”
“If that is what it takes to stay alive, then yes.”
“You speak for your whole… crew?”
