Page 171 of Possession

I sit and watch as he takes it in.

The room is silent besides the hum of the air conditioner. He studies every word and requirement and reward.

Finally, he sets down the file but doesn’t say anything. He stares at it.

“Can I ask you something?”

He looks up and nods.

“Why do you work for the Marinos? The real reason. Because I know what they paid you. No offense. It was shit. If you had a choice, you wouldn’t have been there.”

His eyes dart to the two-way mirror behind us before landing back on me.

I coax him. “I’m curious. Whatever you say won’t affect this deal. The Marinos like to own people and hang shit over their heads … make them beholden to them. Did that happen to you?”

He sighs. “I’m from Tijuana and worked on the grounds at Alamandos’ estate. I was young, stupid, and poor. I needed the extra hours and cash, so he sent me to San Diego and turned me into a dealer. I had a transaction go bad and lost not only the product but the money too. It wasn’t anything like the loads you saw, but it was a lot and it was violent. There was a shootout. So many damn bullets. An innocent bystander was killed. I don’t even know if I was the one to do it, but Alamandos had me by the balls and threatened to leak the evidence to the police. I’ve worked up and down the chain in the Marino Cartel for decades. It doesn’t matter how much I might want out. The Marinos … they have a way of making you indebted to them and wrapping their fingers around your throat for life. I’m stuck.”

I take in what he said and shake my head. “You’re not stuck anymore.”

His gaze wanders to the file. “No. I’m not.”

“You’re a goldmine of information. You’re also a good man, Spencer. Let the government pay you to start a new life for yourself and your family. I suggest putting some space between you and San Diego, though, just in case. You need help with anything, I’m a phone call away.”

He nods. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” I return. “You saved Landyn and me.”

“Are you and Mrs. Torres—I mean, Landyn—a real thing?”

“We are. I’m marrying her officially as soon as I take her home with me. We have you to thank for making it out alive.”

“It was the right thing to do. I tried to delay them.”

“Which proves you deserve this more than anyone. Take the deal, Spencer.” I slide a pen across the table at him.

He takes it and flips to the last page in the stack of papers. After he scribbles his signature, he slides the file back to me. “I’ll do what you want, but I’d really like to see my family first.”

I stand and offer him a hand. “I look forward to continuing to work with you on the other side of the law.”

He takes my hand. “I never imagined this, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

I lift my chin. “Go. Agents will drive you home and sit outside your house. Just as a precaution.”

A relieved expression settles into his features. “I appreciate that.”

I watch him leave and wish I had the same outcome with Rocco.

Damn kid.

We need to find him before the club does.

41

FLAMES

ROCCO

Ifall to the concrete floor.

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