Page 129 of A Breath of Life
“We need an address,” Costa said.
Joshua fervently shook his head. “No. No way. I don’t know anything. I can’t help you.”
“That’s a lie.” Costa got in his face. “You recently took someone there. I need all the details you can give me about this establishment, the address, the men running it, and the layout of the building.”
Joshua looked like he was going to be sick. He continued to shake his head, fingers scrabbling for purchase on the wall like he wanted to burrow a hole in it and crawl inside. “Please leave me alone. Let me go home.”
I held up a hand. Costa’s approach was too aggressive, and Joshua’s information was too pivotal to frighten him away. It was bad enough that my cousin basically kidnapped the guy. That was a discussion for another time because it wasn’t exactly how we’d planned the encounter, although a tiny part of me was impressed with Costa’s recklessness.
I stepped forward. “Josh, please listen. The guy I was with the other day. He’s in trouble.”
“The card. I know. They’ll kill him. He’s marked.”
“You knew that when we brought it to you, didn’t you?”
“Vaguely.” He eyed Costa before continuing. “After you left, I did some inquiring. I’d never seen the ace of spades or knew what it represented, but its construction was unmistakable. It came from the club. That much I knew. He was marked.”
“No. The card wasn’t meant for us. The person it was meant for almost died in the street—would havedied in the street—if we hadn’t saved his life. We didn’t know anything about it. Ace wasn’t pleased and had my boyfriend kidnapped and beaten. They’re holding him hostage until we locate the man who was supposed to be killed so they can finish the job, but that guy’s in the wind. I have less than twenty hours to locate him, or they’ll kill my boyfriend and his family instead. Since I can’t find the man I’m supposed to find, my only other option is to infiltrate this club and get my boyfriend out.”
Joshua laughed almost hysterically. “You’re fucking insane. Do you have a death wish? What you’re talking about is suicide.”
The draining pull on my body was real. The hours were catching up with me. Diem’s bruised face came to mind. His shy smile. His hesitant laugh that he rarely shared with anyone but me. His gentle hands and the careful way he touched me, ever aware of his strength, always ensuring he didn’t cause harm.
I prodded the hickey he’d reluctantly sucked into my neck the other night. He hadn’t wanted to do it. I’d seen the disgust in his eyes and the guilt that had swamped him afterward, but he’d done it anyway because he knew what it meant to me. To be marked. To be owned. To be his.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “I have to try.”
Joshua scanned the three of us like we had lost our minds, and maybe we had. If I failed, I would only prove Diem right. Prove that I wasn’t ready for the gritty PI stuff and was more suited to desk work.
“Fine.” Joshua swiped a hand over his mouth. It trembled. “But this is a horrible idea, and you’re playing with fire. Even if you got in, you wouldn’t make it out alive.”
“That’s our risk. Where are we going?” Costa asked once Joshua seemed more agreeable.
“Do you know where the St. James Cathedral is on King Street East? At the Church Street intersection?”
“I know where that is,” I confirmed.
“There’s a structure beside it with a sign indicating it’s the church’s events building. It’s not. The church sold it over a decade ago. The new owner left all the signage to deceive the public and reduce suspicion.”
“The owner being the Royal Aces?” Costa asked.
Joshua gave a clipped nod. “The exterior remains untouched. It gives a churchy vibe, but I assure you, the interior reflects an entirely different atmosphere. It’s been significantly upgraded. Security included. This isn’t their main hub, in case you thought so. Before you ask, I don’t know where that is. Are you sure your boyfriend is there?”
“No, but considering its location, I’m fairly confident.” Old Toronto. Diem was convinced he was held in Old Toronto.
“It’s one of their more affluent local entertainment spots,” Joshua explained. “You can enjoy everything from drugs and sex to gambling and alcohol. Whatever your pleasure. Ace personally vets clientele, and only those who are approved go inside.”
“And you’re approved?” More than a hint of disbelief laced Costa’s words.
Joshua laughed. “Not officially.”
“Then how did you get in with Memphis?” I asked.
Joshua whipped his head around and glared in apparent disbelief. His expression soured. Only then did I realize I’d sold my friend out. Fuck. Memphis was going to kill me.
“I have special privileges.” Joshua’s tone turned snappy.
“Why are you so special?” Costa growled.
