Page 36 of Dust and Ashes

She stared at the syringe. Then him. Aware the entire time that the priest was watching them. “So you’re doing me afavor?” That made no sense. Why give her some kind of concession while also victimizing her? It might be about lulling her into a false sense of security, or deep down in there he had a heart. Though, she very much doubted that.

More likely it was just that the sheriff wanted her healthy. And aware of what was happening, rather than suffering from the effects of illegal narcotics. Anything they gave her from “downstairs” could cause an overdose. Falling back on traditional medicine from a doctor meant he could get the dosage right and she would be healthier when the sheriff got here than she was right now.

Kart stuck the needle in her upper arm. Kenna hissed.

He knew that she had seen Camila. That Kenna might even know where the girl had gone—and where she was now. Someone had used his trafficking operation to get the girl to Colorado. But why do that when it was only for the sake of handing her over to be just another worker, and Navarro had no idea that’d happened?

She blinked and realized the priest had gone.

Along with her chance to get him to take a message with him back to town.

She twisted around to face Kart.

“What have you figured out so far about this case?” he asked.

Kenna snorted. “It’s hardly a case. You probably just want me distracted so I don’t try to escape.”

“Honestly, I was more worried about you trying to kill yourself.”

“What do you care if you lose merchandise every once in a while? It can’t be more than an annoyance unless they matter. Or whoever killed Lola hurt someone you care about.”

“Emotions never did anyone any favors.” He shrugged. “They just twist you up in knots, or make you react in a way that isn’t smart.” He walked her outside, where the sun beat down on them. Bright enough she had to blink against the harsh light of day.

Kenna kept going, out into the middle of the area behind the buildings. Between them and the fence in front of her. Then kept walking with no thought of where she was headed or what would happen when she got there.

Attempting to get over the fence wouldn’t work when she could barely lift her arms, let alone climb with them. She would only get shot for her trouble. What was the point in showing these men just how weak she was?

She turned around and realized Kart hadn’t come with her. She stood there alone and stared back at him, trying to figure out why it seemed like he cared.

More likely he didn’t. But occupying her with this task—even just trying to figure out why he gave it to her—kept her off guard and distracted from what was really going on.

She glanced at the edges of the buildings and spotted more than one armed guard with their eyes on her. Kart. Benjamin. More were on the front gate that she couldn’t see on the other side. No way out. No chance to escape.

And no one coming to rescue her.

Kart strode toward her. “You want me to chase and capture you?”

Not a threat that he would kill her if she tried to escape. That was interesting. “You’re not allowed to shoot me?”

“I never said that.” Kart lifted his chin.

“But you let your cousin tell you what to do?” She scoffed. “I thoughtyouwere the one in charge here.”

His right cross came out of nowhere.

She managed to jerk her head around. Still, his punch hammered her jaw, and she ended up on her hands and knees on the ground.

Someone called out, “Are the two of you done with your spat?”

Kart hauled Kenna to her feet.

She realized Ramon had arrived at some point. Now he stood over by the buildings holding a man, his face beat up. Hands tied together behind his back. “We need to see what this guy knows.”

Kart dragged Kenna back over to where Ramon stood. “And you need us to find information for you?” Kart snorted. As though he thought Ramon wasn’t capable of getting information by himself.

Why was Navarro’s man back all of a sudden?

He’d been here during the raid, and then gone.

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