Brody closed his eyes and tilted his head back, his steel composure cracking. “Motherfucker.”
He didn’t have to elaborate. I knew the words he bit back because they were the same ones sitting on my tongue. If Leo told Val about the missing shipment and the Chicago deal, what other information did he try to sell?
I wet my lips. “What else did he say?”
Val lifted a dark eyebrow. “Oh, you mean the part where you showed up at his office demanding information on one of my lieutenants?”
Shit.
I flinched, and the knee jerk reaction sparked Brody back to life, his voice as dark as his penetrating glare. “Yet you never said a word when I spent half an hour convincing you to let me bring her here.”
“And neither of you questioned why I was sending you to Guadalajara together. Interesting. I expect such careless bullshit out of you, but Adriana…” Val raised his glass in my direction before turning toward the bar. “You were raised to question everyone’s motives.”
“Great. You knew this whole time he opened up Chicago and lost your money, and that I used it to get here.” Holding Val’s gaze, I gave him an intentionally loud slow clap. “Do you want a cookie?”
“Adriana!”
Twisting around, I pointed a finger at Mateo. “Okay, just so you know, that’s getting really fucking annoying.” Ignoring his snarl, I shifted my attention back to Val. “So, what does this mean? This whole thing was bullshit, and you’re sending us to slaughter?”
Val’s lips twitched, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he was getting a kick out of watching this play out. “Quite the opposite, actually. You see, in an interesting turn of events, I now have leverage over both of you, and your success is even more vital to your position in this cartel,” he said, locking eyes with Brody. Then he turned toward me adding, “And in this family.”
I watched Brody with curious eyes as he flung himself off the couch and threw his arms out wide. “Then let’s do what we came here to do.”
I shuddered. Not because of Val’s accusation, or that we were moments away from walking into what was most likely a trap. But because for the first time since he held me against the wall of my motel room at gunpoint, I saw that flicker of darkness and an overwrought need to break and control. The perfect combination of grace and civility packaged in a man whose veins coursed with poison.
God, we were both fucked up.
“You’re both to look for intel,” he said. “Adriana, I need you to sniff around your old contacts and see what you can find out about this Ignacio person.” I nodded, which seemed to appease him, or he lost interest because he turned his focus back to Brody. “Should you find someone of interest, your job is to secure him and call for backup.” Rocking back on his heels, he shrugged. “Or if needed, eliminate the problem. Be discreet and don’t raise any flags.”
Right.
Because the former queen of the Muñoz clan and a blond snowflake would blend in with no problem.
Brody and I exchanged curious glances as Val walked back to the bar and opened the lower cabinet. After retrieving what he wanted, he slammed it closed and crossed the room until he stood in front of us holding four metal objects.
“Two burner phones, and two revolvers,” he announced, handing one of each to both of us. Ignoring the phone, I went straight for the gun and opened the chamber.
“It’s not loaded. You’ll get your ammo and more weapons when you’re escorted off the estate.”
I slammed the chamber closed and scowled.
Brody tucked his phone and gun away. “Where are we supposed to stay?”
Still pissed off, I held the useless gun in my hand, tuning them out as Val rattled off directions and addresses. “They should be empty. If not, make them empty. When you get to Guadalajara, you’re on your own.” Pausing, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash and a set of keys, handing them to Brody. “You understand for security reasons, once you’re in Muñoz territory, the Carrera name doesn’t pass your lips.”
Brody pocketed the cash and twirled the key ring around his finger without answering. No one said another word until he glanced down at me. “You plan on getting up, or do you expect to be carried out of here?”
Rising to my feet, I found myself face-to-face with my brother. I started this, but he’d commanded control of it. Now, I had no choice but to trust him, but there was an air of uncertainty around him that I couldn’t put my finger on.
And feeling like I’d disappointed him really pissed me off.
“Val, I—”
He held up a hand. “Adriana, I told you last night I brought you here against my better judgment.”
“I know.”
“I also told you to never pull the same con twice. It makes you predictable, and I don’t give second chances. Are we clear?”
“Very.” Picking up my suitcase, I pushed all the unfamiliar emotions out of my head. I had a job to do and nothing would stop me from seeing it through.
“Adriana?” Pausing, I glanced back over my shoulder. Val opened his mouth to say something, only to close it and shake his head. “Don’t die.”
Chapter Nineteen
Brody
Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
Adriana propped her legs up on the dashboard and groaned. “How many times are you going to mess with that thing?”
I ground my teeth, turning away from her smirk while pressing the tuner button on the radio for the tenth time. “As many times as it takes.”
“Okay, suit yourself. But, look around you, counselor.” She waved a hand beside me, gesturing toward barren fields. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. If you think you’re getting anything but static on this piece of shit,” reaching over, she gave the decrepit dashboard a firm pat, “you’re dreaming.”
I turned the damn thing off and squeezed the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. “Fine, but I’m not driving three and a half hours to Morelia in silence. It’ll drive me batshit.”
“So, what do you suggest?”
I shrugged, doing my best not to stare at her bare legs. “We could play I Spy.”
She rolled her eyes. “What are we, six?” Drumming her fingernails against the console, she chewed on her lip for a moment before slamming her palm against it. “Oh, I know. Let’s play truth or dare.”
“In a car?”
She turned to me, a glint in her eyes. “Are you scared?”
“I’m driving in a piece of shit Toyota into Muñoz infested territory with a woman who I’m fairly certain is the antichrist. What do you think?”
She pursed her lips. “A simple no would’ve sufficed.” She was quiet for a moment, and I thought she let it die until a slow grin pulled at her lips. “When we get to where we’re going the loser has to do whatever the winner says, no questions asked.”
I wasn’t stupid. I knew a con when I heard it. “Your rules are flawed.”
“How so?”
“What’s to stop either of us from lying?”