Page 17 of Rectify

“I thought you might know someone in the cartel,” she said desperately. “Someone who could help lead me to Diego?”

“I’m so sorry, Natalya, but I don’t have any ties with the Fuerte Cartel,” Rogan told her gently.

Her stomach clenched tighter, and she swallowed heavily, trying desperately to keep her tears at bay. She’d held it together until now. She wasn’t about to break down now.

“Sorry.” She shook her head. “I overheard Diego talking about you just before we left, so I thought you might have dealings with the cartel.”

Rogan suddenly became alert. “What did he say?”

She frowned, trying to think of the exact words. “He was talking on the phone, so I couldn’t hear what the other person was saying. But it was something about how you couldn’t refuse the deal they were offering.”

“The cartel came to me just over a year ago and offered me a deal on the new shit they’re producing. I said no.”

“You did?” She gaped at him. “I didn’t think anyone said no to the cartel.”

Rogan’s face grew grim. “It didn’t make me popular. They’re using the Seven Sinners and the Vipers to distribute their product in the city instead.”

“Oh.” Her hope crashed. “Then there’s nothing you can do.”

Rogan studied her. “Why don’t you go rest upstairs for a while? Let me think this all through.”

She shook her head. “I can’t sleep.” She had to keep moving. She had to keep doing something. Otherwise, she’d fall into a pit of despair, wondering where Mateo was, if he was all right, if he was crying for her.

“You won’t do Mateo any good if you collapse, Natalya.” She would have taken heart that Aedan was showing some concern for her welfare if his voice hadn’t been icier than an arctic wind. “Take a break. Even if it’s just for an hour.”

“I . . . I guess you’re right. I’ll lie down for an hour.” She wouldn’t sleep. But she could take the time to plan her next course of attack.

Whatever the hell that was going to be.

“What do you think?”Rogan asked.

Aedan glared down at his clenched hands. There were a lot of thoughts rolling around in his head. Angry, nasty thoughts, for the most part. Why did she leave him for an asshole like Diego? A man who’d cheated on her, who’d treated her so abysmally when Aedan had worshipped her? Aedan would have given her anything.

But she’d chosen Mota, and he couldn’t understand why.

“Aedan,” Rogan said sharply. “If you want me to kick her out, I will.”

Aedan stared over at him, startled. “What?”

“If you want her gone, just tell me.”

“What about her son?” The little boy was blameless.

“Like she said, he’s not yours. He’s not your problem. How do we even know that the boy isn’t better off with his father? Natalya could be a terrible mother.”

“I’m sure Natalya is a wonderful mother,” Aedan disagreed. He was certain of that.

“She rejected you. Left you without an explanation for another man. What makes you think we can trust anything she says?”

Because he just knew she was telling the truth.

“She’s honest. Natalya doesn’t know how to lie.”

“Even if she’s telling the truth, we don’t owe her anything. The Fuerte Cartel is large and powerful. They’re not people you want to fuck with.”

Aedan straightened. “You’re right. You should stay out of it.”

Rogan leaned forward. “Meaning . . . you’re going to help her?”

---