Page 119 (1/2)

Part

One

Prologue

Salvatore Castellanos

“Jesus, Adrian, ht me a drink first”

As I stand braced against Morelli’s Escalade, his guard dog pats me down I say this to him like it’s a joke, and it uy with a woman, and his dedication to Mateo Morelli does raise certain questions

“You’re not my type” Adrian pops back up, stone-faced He turns me around and holds out his hand expectantly

“I already gave youa dark eyebrow

“Phone”

Oh, right I’ve heard of his stupid phone thing Sighing, I dig my phone out of my pocket and hand it over He pops out the SIM card and battery, then opens the door for me

Morelli’s such a paranoid motherfucker

I guess I shouldn’t complain I requested a private audience somewhere ouldn’t be seen, and he accommodated me Given the level of his uy clears estures for me to climb inside Mateo is in the car with Alec Morelli in the driver’s seat, and now his scarred-up guard dog to keep an eye on things Adrian slid in the back with us instead of the passenger seat, probably ‘cause he doesn’t trust me I think of the picture in ot in Reaching for anything around these guys is probably not a great idea

“Thanks forhis presence requested

Nodding once, he says, “You said it was important”

“It’s about Delmonico”

His brow furrows in confusion, my first indication that our inforuarded, he doesn’t look like he’s hiding anything; he just looks like he doesn’t knohy the hell I would ask about one of his guys

“What about him?”

“I know this is toeing the line of our arrangement, but did he hire a crew to do a freelance op a few uys? They would’ve been, uh… transporting girls”

He shakes his head, still frowning “No”

“No way so like that could’ve happened and you wouldn’t know?”

At that, he sitimately amused “No”

I nod, going to reach for un onmy hands to indicate I’rab it?”

“Slow,” Adrian says, still with his gun trained on me

Man, these fucking guys I slowly reach into my pocket and draw out Willow’s picture I offer it to Mateo, watching for any sign of recognition as he looks at it

“Who’s this?” he asks, glancing up at me