Page 25 of Ruthless Enforcer

“Yes.”

A laugh escapes me. Of course he did. He couldn’t help himself. He had to go save the girl.

Dawson gapes at me. “You think that's funny?”

“No.” I lean back carefully, smiling wide. “I think it's perfect.”

His expression suggests he has doubts about my sanity. He's hardly the first. “We lost two men. Reyes killed both.”

I consider that. Efficient. Predictable. Very Gabriel. “And Clara?”

“Gone.”

“With him?”

“Yes.”

I laugh again. My day just got a hundred times better.

Dawson's face darkens. “We failed.”

“Yes.”

“And you're fucking happy about it.”

“Very.”

He stares at me.

I sigh. This is why I pay men like Dawson to carry guns rather than develop strategy. “Sit down.”

This time he does.

I set my glass on the desk. “The purpose of taking Clara Whitlock was never Clara Whitlock. The purpose was to make her disappear and ensure James Whitlock had reason to believe a Reyes was responsible.”

Understanding arrives slowly. “Jesus. Gabriel Reyes actually took her, so we don't have to frame him.”

I smile. “It's difficult to frame a man for something he's actually done.”

Dawson leans back and studies me.

Picking up my Scotch, I swirl it in the glass. This really is excellent. “All anyone will know is that James Whitlock's favorite niece disappeared from a museum gala with the most violent member of a family he's spent decades despising.”

“He'll call her.”

“Of course.”

“And she'll tell him Reyes saved her.”

“Almost certainly.” I smile.

“Then what's the point?”

I take another drink. “Have you ever met James Whitlock?”

“No.”

“I have. James doesn't need to believe Gabriel kidnapped Clara. He only needs to wonder whether Clara is free to leave.” I take a sip, easing back in the chair. “Think about what Gabriel will do next. He'll hide her. Take her phone. Control who speaks to her. Decide where she sleeps, where she goes, who she trusts.”