Page 53 of Wicked Lies

“I talked to Carlos in South Beach.”

“We got enough problems up here without worrying about Miami.”

“Frank’s bleeding him, too, and Carlos is sick of it. Never hurts to have an ally.” Nick forged on, but he’d already made his decision whether Samson agreed with him or not. “Carlos has some good connections down there, people who also have pull in Manhattan. With his crew in Miami behind us, we’re that much stronger.”

“You think he’d chance going against Frank and back us up?”

“I’m ninety percent sure.”

“It’s the other ten percent that keeps fuckin’ with us.” Samson shot him a sarcastic smirk.

Nick waited a beat. “I’m going to Miami the day after tomorrow.”

“What?” Samson’s brows shot up. “I don’t think leaving now is a good idea.”

“This has to be done in person.”

“What if Frank’s already gotten to Carlos? What if you’re walking into some kinda setup?”

“Chance I’ll have to take.” Nick already examined all the variables, but he also knew Carlos. He trusted the man and believed he’d be an asset.

Nick paused again, knowing his next sentence wouldn’t be what Samson wanted to hear. “I’m taking Cheryl with me.”

Right on cue, Samson’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you said she walked out after the bullshit with Angela.”

“She did.”

“But you’ve talked to her?”

“No.”

“Let me get this straight. Your old girlfriend catches you with your—I don’t know what the fuck she is—she and Angela have a bitch fight. Cheryl walks out, and now you think she’s gonna go to Miami with you?”

“Positive thinking, man.” Nick shot a fake smile, which, of course, Samson saw through. Fuckin’ downside of having a friend know you better than you know yourself.

“Right, 'cause that’s been working out.”

“I don’t wanna leave her here with all the shit going down with Frank. The more he feels he’s losing power, the harder he’s gonna hit back.”

“I get it, it’s just lately, you’re—”

“I’m what?” He dared Samson to say it.

“You and me got trust from way back.” Samson waved his hand between them. “But lately, you’re a little preoccupied.”

“You’re talking about Cheryl?” He hoped Samson didn’t ask him to explain his feelings, especially since he didn’t know what the fuck he was feeling himself.

“What do we really know about her?”

“She came clean about everything last night.”

“And you believe her?”

Nick left out the part where he interrogated her. “Yeah, I do.” Even though Frank was holding her freedom and her past as a con artist over her head.

“You were always raggin’ on me for picking up lost causes, and now you’re doin’ the same damn thing.”

Nick waved away Samson’s comment. “Let me worry about Cheryl and me.”

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