He’s right. It’s too loud to talk in here, and people are watching us. He’s armed, but so am I. There are plenty of cameras in the garage, and I don’t think Ismaele could’ve set up a trap for me.

My men are outside anyway. I pull out my phone and glance at the screen. If something had happened, I would’ve gotten a message.

I doubt Ismaele plans to jump me himself. It would be stupid. I can take care of myself. If someone wanted to kill me, they wouldn’t have chosen this place. Too many potential witnesses and other cameras around.

“All right,” I say, but then my gaze lands on Adriana, who’s watching me with wide eyes. “Give me a moment.”

Ismaele nods and walks away.

“What’s going on?” Adriana asks.

“I told you to stay where you were.”

“Did he tell you anything?”

“He will. In the garage.”

“What? Are you out of your mind? You can’t go there. It’s probably a trap!”

“My men would’ve seen someone suspicious coming here and warned me about it.”

She frowns. “One guy with a gun is enough.”

“I’ll be careful. There are plenty of cars to hide behind.”

“Don’t go.” Adriana catches my hand, her eyes pleading with mine. “Why don’t your men grab Ismaele and you can just question him somewhere else?”

“Too risky. Too many cameras and potential witnesses. Someone is always moving around. It’s why I don’t think Ismaele or anyone would try to kill me here. Pretty much all the buildings in this area have cameras. Disabling them all would take too much time and effort, and there’s a police station not too far away.”

“What if you’re wrong? What if that’s what they want you to think?”

“Then I’m dead, and you’ll be free of me. Wouldn’t that make you happy?” I flash her a smile.

“Not funny!” She glares at me. “I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not.” I’m willing to risk my life, but not hers.

“Why not?”

“Because Ismaele wants to talk to me. Alone.”

“I can stand right behind you, at a safe distance.”

“No. You’re staying here. I need you to make sure no one suspicious shows up. My men are outside, but we don’t have anyone in here.”

She presses her lips into a tight line. “Fine. But if you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m coming after you.”

“Okay.” I quickly press my lips against hers because it just feels right.

She shakes her head at me as I give her a small wave before going for the garage door. I step through the door and carefully look around. I can’t see anyone or anything suspicious.

Where the fuck is Ismaele?

A shadow catches my gaze. One of the lights in the garage is off, and someone’s standing in the darkness.

“Come out,” I say.

If he thinks he can jump me and surprise me, he’s wrong. I’m not going any closer.