Page 60 of Keep Me

“So what have you got for me?”

“I recognized the name as soon as you gave it to me.” I perk up at this and let him continue. “The bomb that killed Sofia Álvarez was truly a wrong place, wrong time situation. The car that exploded was meant for someone completely unrelated to her or the Cortez cartel, but it detonated early.”

I lean back, frustrated. That’s what everyone already believed happened. “If it was an accident, why is she even on your radar? Was it your bomb?”

He fakes offense. “You wound me, Fox. You know I’d never be that sloppy. I recognized the name because you’re not the first person to come asking about her.”

“Who else?”

“Her brother. He was convinced it wasn't an accident and was trying to prove it.” Daniel.

My pulse quickens as I soak in this new information. “When was this?”

He uncrosses and recrosses his legs, nose scrunched like he’s racking his mind. “About eight years ago. Apparently she was pregnant with El Jefe’s child—”

“Rafael Cortez?” My head swivels in surprise, and Javi takes out a granola bar from his pocket and peels back the wrapper with a shake of his head.

“I know, right? Messy shit, man.” He takes a bite, and I am again shocked by how absurdly unsuspecting this man is as he snacks like a kindergartner. “Bro was convinced Cortez was behind it, and made it look like an accident to take out his mistress and his bastard.”

My mind starts racing with realizations, and I stand abruptly. “Thanks, I owe you one.” I pat Javi on the shoulder and walk off, mind still reeling.

I wait across from the Chariot, my eye on the semicircular path used for pickups and dropoffs, and go over all my thoughts again. Like sorting through flash cards, I cross off what I know and how it connects.

Daniel was convinced Cortez killed his sister to hide their affair, and, like Javi, he could hide in plain sight. Nobody gives the driver a second glance. He has ultimate access without ever being invited. He’s in the background of every conversation and meeting.

Reggie said all the body donations correlated with dates her father was in town, which means Daniel was too. Anything that points to her father or Ángel could also point to him. Daniel was staying at the Chariot when Goyle came for his meeting with the Warden. Daniel knew where Reggie lived and had easily gotten keys to her apartment.

I haven’t quite figured out what he was doing hunting women—maybe for money, power, or revenge? Regardless of the reason, it makes more sense than a low-level cartel member discovering the second-in-command was embezzling before anyone else had.

A black town car drives out of the hotel garage and pulls up out front. Daniel’s in the driver seat. I cross the street, checking my gun’s magazine and clicking off the safety as I take sure and quick strides toward the car.

I crouch as I scurry behind the town car and yank open the passenger door. Gun raised, I slide in and warn, “Don’t do anything stupid, Daniel.”

His eyes widen in surprise, but his breathing remains steady as he places both hands on the steering wheel. “It’s Roan, right?” he asks with a fake warmness.

I snort at his attempt to play dumb. “Right. And do you prefer Daniel or the Warden?”

His entire demeanor changes in the blink of an eye. His spine straightens and his lip curls, gaze hardened and narrowed. “Took you long enough to figure that one out, huh? Too distracted getting your fill of Cortez pussy,” he scoffs.

I cock my gun and press it under his chin. “Watch your fucking mouth, or I’ll cut off your tongue and make you choke on it.”

He moves his jaw as little as possible when he speaks, clearly pissed with the muzzle digging into his skin. “What do you want, Fox?”

“What do I want?” I huff a laugh and move the barrel to press against his temple. “I want to put a bullet in your brain.”

“Then do it,” he snarls.

“I would if it wouldn’t hurt Cortez. But she loved your sister and you—”

“Cortez is a back-stabbing bitch!”

My vision blurs with red. I push the gun so hard into his temple that the side of his head hits the window. “Doctor Cortez.”

I suck in a heavy breath and lighten the pressure so he can lift his head back up to center. “You have until tomorrow morning to disappear. I want Daniel Álvarez wiped off the face of this planet. If I ever hear whispers of the Warden mentioned again, I will hunt you down, skin you myself, and mount your head on my wall.”

His lips press into a tight line. “And if I don’t?”

“You have five seconds to agree or I pull the trigger. Five. Four. Three—”

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