Page 59 of Vincenzo
Furrowing my brows, I tilt my head at him. “You sure about that, José? Your answer didn’t sound too confident.”
“He said he doesn’t know anything,” Alejandro says.
“And I said if you speak, you die,” I snap, my tone sharp and laced with glass that could cut through bone.
I slide my knife out of my boot and bring it up to José’s neck, causing him to stumble back against the wall.
“Remember what I said José. I don’t like liars, so I’m going to ask you one more time. What do you think Felipe had to say when his throat was writhing against my blade while he took his last breaths?” I glance down at my knife, and a smile lifts at my lips. “Kind of like how yours is doing right now.”
I slide my gaze up to José’s and lift a brow. He remains silent, but from his widened eyes and the sweat beading at the small stache above his lip, I’d say he’s about to break.
“José,” Alejandro growls out in warning.
“How many times do I have to tell you? You speak again, and this knife will end up in your gut, got it?” I snap, but my gaze never leaves José’s.
José’s eyes frantically shift between Alejandro’s and mine. Putting pressure on my blade, I say, “One last try. My fucking patience is wearing thin.”
“Okay, okay!” he yells. “Probably something about your parents!”
“Fuck,”Alejandro mumbles from beside me.
“Good, now we’re getting somewhere. What do you know about my parents?”
“We don’t know anything about them,” Alejandro says, and I’ve had about enough of him now.
While keeping my blade against José’s throat, I backhand Alejandro across the face with my free hand.
His head jerks away, and he lets out a sharp hiss, bringing his hand up to his busted lip.
“Damn, did my ring get you there?”
I’m done playing games.
Putting enough pressure against José’s throat, I break the skin, and he whimpers. “Fine! I’ll tell you what we know! Justplease, lower your blade.”
“You think I’d be stupid enough to do that?” I lean into him and raise a finger up to Alejandro, addressing him. “You fuck with me getting information, and I kill your friend. That’s your last and final warning. Now, go on José, and remember, I’m just a slice away from taking your life, so choose your next words wisely.”
“We know who killed your parents, and it’s not who you think it is. Those thugs your uncle had killed had nothing to do with it. They were just loose change. Easy targets to take the blame for Pedro’s work.”
The name of my uncle’s right-hand man takes me aback.“Pedro?”
“Sí, Pedro. He’s the one who killed your parents.”
“How do you know this?”
“Felipe was across the street from the restaurant where the driveby happened. The car was unmarked, but he said it was Pedro who had the gun aimed at them. He swore it.”
“Why would Pedro want my parents dead?” I demand.
“That I don’t know.”
I increase my pressure.
“I r… really don’t! P… please!”
I continue to gaze deep in his eyes, trying to get the best read I can on him, and I believe him.
“If I find out you’re fucking lying to me, I’ll skin you alive, got it?”
