Page 35 of Fear for Her Life

“I’m the first step, honey.” China gave him a slow smile. “We don’t take chances with strangers around these parts.”

Nodding, Kane reached for his second bottle of beer. “That’s good to know.”

Two clicks came over his communication device, and he looked into the mirror as Wolfe walked into the saloon. He would have heard everything and would be watching his back. As Wolfe walked up to one of the men playing pool as if he knew him, Kane slipped from his seat, beer in hand, and headed for the stairs. “Room four.”

FORTY-ONE

Shouldering his way through the men surrounding the pool tables, Kane slipped through the door leading to a dimly lit passageway. Flickering light bulbs cast his shadow over the worn wooden walls. Remnants of the saloon’s long history hovered in the scent of aged whiskey and stale tobacco tainting the air. His footsteps echoed softly on the creaky floorboards as he made his way toward the narrow staircase at the end of the hall. The staircase groaned under his weight, as if protesting the intrusion. He slid his hand over the cool banister, smooth from years of use. A door behind him creaked, and the muffled sounds of laughter and clinking glasses drifted up from the saloon below. He paused to glance behind him and caught the sight of China’s black hair and listened as she pressed her back against the wall and whispered into her phone. He frowned. He assumed her backup or backups would be in the bar. Maybe they believed he’d be a soft touch or vulnerable to her charms. He snorted and, shaking his head, continued up the steps and, scanning the shadows, negotiated the small dimly lit corridor. The musty odor made him crave the clean alpine air of Black Rock Falls. Wallpaper, faded and peeling from years of neglect, revealed patches of the original wood beneath. He wondered why it had been left to rot when business seemed to be doing just fine. He walked past a series of closed doors, each marked with a tarnished brass number, until he reached room four.

He used an old brass key to open the door. Inside the neon lights of the saloon’s sign cast a faint glow into the room. Partially obscured by heavy dusty curtains, the window offered a view of the street below. Three men leaned against a pickup shooting the breeze. The old truck he’d driven into town sat beside a variety of vehicles, and across the road, he made out Wolfe’s truck outside the general store. Footsteps came along the passageway and China stood at his open door. Kane stared at her, saying nothing. He’d learned over the years that in any negotiation allowing the other party to start the conversation often gave him an advantage.

“I’ve spoken to the boss.” China stepped inside and pushed the door shut behind her.

Kane shrugged, allowing his shirt to fall open to display his shoulder holster. Wearing one wasn’t unusual in these parts, but he wanted to see her reaction. If China was a spokesperson for Souza, she wouldn’t be concerned about weapons. She’d be able to take care of herself and likely had men stashed all over the hotel. Stepping into an undercover DEA agent’s shoes so late in a mission was risky. Although taking down a cartel had been the mission, the man at the top had been a mystery as the meet had been negotiated weeks before Souza escaped from prison. The realization that Souza had been running his empire from a jail cell would cause an overhaul of the prison system. He nodded. “I guess now that he’s out of prison, things will go back to normal?”

“That’s the plan.” China eyed him with suspicion. “How do you know the boss? I figured you were a new kid in town.”

Smiling, Kane looked away and then back at her. “You have me all wrong. One name is all I’m giving you. Mateo. Him and me, we had an understanding.”

“It’s a whole new ballgame now.” China leaned against the door. “You want to play in our game, you’ll need to prove your loyalty.”

Kane straightened. “How so?”

“You figure I’m stupid?” China glared at him. “Lift up your shirt and drop your pants.”

Giving her a long sweeping look, Kane smiled. “You first. I’m not the trusting kind.”

“You figure I can hide a wire in this?” China indicated to her shirt and then untied the front and allowed it to fall open. She lifted it and turned slowly, revealing a Glock 22 tucked into the back of her tight jeans. Raising both eyebrows, she met his gaze. “Your turn.”

Lifting his T-shirt he gave her a slow smile. “I’m not dropping my pants. If you want to pat me down, be my guest.” He pulled down his shirt when she refused. “Now what does the boss need me to do to get this done? I don’t have much time.”

“He needs you to clean out a rats’ nest and collect what’s owed him. I’ll give you directions. I hope you have a good memory because I’m not writing anything down.” China slowly tied her shirt.

Kane shook his head. “Why can’t he send his own men to do it? I’m alone without my team and he knows it. It wasn’t part of the deal.”

“I know Mateo had many side operations. So, fine, you’re not a small-time operation. You guys need each other, so cooperate. He needs to know you’re not a plant.” She moved closer to him and stared into his eyes. “Undercover cops don’t kill street scum. You’ll be on your own out there because Souza doesn’t intend to allow him or his men to walk into another FBI trap.”

Sighing, Kane looked at her. “Oh, stop, you’ll have me in tears. This is business—period. I’m not loyal to anyone but me. If he can’t supply what I need then I’ll find someone else. You need me to do a little test to prove I’m not a cop, to make him feel better. Bring it on but move it along. I have couriers waiting for product and I’ve been wasting too much time in this dive.”

“Listen to me.” China lowered her voice to just above a whisper and stepped away from the door. “You don’t understand who you’re dealing with. Do you believe I want to be here, risking my life? You could have slit my throat.”

Unimpressed, Kane stared at her. “True, but why would I when you’re the link to meeting the boss?”

“You’re just like him.” China’s eyes blazed. “You use people.”

Wondering where this was leading, Kane stared at the ceiling and then lowered his gaze back to her. She wasn’t an addict like most he’d dealt with in his career. “Do I? You don’t know me at all.”

“I want out of this place.” She ran a hand down his arm. “You’re going places. After I get you to Souza and you do the deal, take me with you.”

Shaking his head, Kane glared at her. “I’m married. What makes you think I’d do something crazy like that?” He blew out a breath, frustrated by the delays. “Maybe we should call this off. I have other contacts who won’t make me jump through hoops.”

“You must do it.” She gripped his arm and stared into his eyes. “Souza has my little sister.” Her expression turned sorrowful and her eyes filled with unshed tears. “If I can’t make you comply, he’ll kill her or sell her into slavery. I beg you. Make us part of the deal and take us with you.” She pressed against him. “I’ll do anything to save my sister. If you don’t want me, I could make you good money. I’ll do anything you say. Please help me.”

Knowing what Souza was capable of, Kane searched her face, but it was the little shudder that made him question his own judgment. Did she see him as a way to escape the cartel? Jenna had been stuck in a family and abused with no chance of escape. If he’d been there to help her…? He cleared his throat. “I’ll think on it but I want a long-time business relationship with Souza. Messing with you might jeopardize it and that’s never going to happen”—he stared out the window and then swung his gaze back to her—“unless he suggests it to sweeten the deal, but I’m not speaking to one of his boys. It’s him and me or no deal. I want his word tonight. I don’t have time to mess around. Got it?” He shrugged. “Get my terms and then I’ll get you and your sister out of here. Now, give me the details of the rats’ nest.”

“Okay, listen up.”

FORTY-TWO

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