Page 108 of Heartfelt Pain
That’s another big thing. No one blinked when I shot Cliff because it turned out nobody liked the motherfucker. They were loyal to Aunt Macy. I need someone who the entire criminal elite likes and trusts.
“You got any recommendations?” I don’t mean for it to come out so peevishly but he barely blinks.
In fact, all he does is nod. “Yeah. Your friend.”
“You mean Isolde?”
He never goes out of his way to call her by name.
“You think Isolde could do it?”
It comes out disbelieving. Isolde is so thoroughly a triggerman in my mind. A gun for hire who’s damn good at her job.
“You just said it. You need to trust the person enough to take a bullet for you and you need someone respected and well-liked by the community.”
He runs a hand over his buzzed hair again. “People like her. Your friend.”
“Isolde,” I prompt.
He doesn’t repeat the name. “She’s a good shot. She doesn’t run her mouth. Doesn’t treat people like they’re trash, though, everyone knows she’s rolling in contracts. Honestly, people would like to see her move into something else. Free up a lot more opportunities for the other guns for hire.”
I consider everything he says. Isolde already hangs out with me at Fujimori’s. People are used to seeing her. Jane and Abe’s dad like her. Ben wouldn’t have any issues bringing her on board.
“I don’t know if she would do it.” She’s never talked about anything but taking on contracts for hits.
Trevino shrugs. “All you can do is ask.”
“Would you ever come to her?” I ask, nosily. “To take on hits if you were looking for contracts?”
He’s never come to me for work.
“I’ve got my own business,” he reminds.
I hum under my breath. I kind of like the image of Trevino coming into Fujimori’s and hanging out. Also, it’s interesting seeing him interact with Isolde.
“Would you like my critical feedback now?” I ask.
He digs his phone out of his pocket while shooting me anI’d rather notlook.
The phone presses to his ear. He doesn’t bother to speak until a moment goes by and he says, “Okay.” Then he ends the call.
While I admire how movie worthy the moment is I’d like for him to hurry up with the fucking theatrics.
“We found the guy with the gun right outside your apartment,” he says.
My butt slides on the hard metal chair as I straighten. “Wait, seriously?”
I knew he’d started to look into it, but shit, he’s worth every dollar if he pulled in the information that fast.
His fingers wrap around his phone and while he remains calm there’s the tiniest wrinkle between his eyebrows. If he’s nervous, I’m nervous.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “You weren’t the target.”
My face twists, confusion marring my face. “What? But he was outside of my apartment.”
Blurred, dark images whirl through my mind of the quick altercation. We got off the elevator. The safety clicked.
