Page 137

“To anyone prepared to publish it.”

Demitri’s body went rigid.

“No.”

The answer came before I had even finished drawing my next breath. My anger rose quickly.

“I wasn’t asking.”

“And the answer’s still no.”

Raze picked up his weapon and slid it into the holster beneath his jacket.

“This sounds like a conversation best held without witnesses.”

“It stopped being private when the Coccico cartel tried to kill me.”

Demitri stepped away from the table.

“The moment you attach your face to these records, every person named in them will be salivating over your blood.”

“They probably already are, Demi.”

“They suspect you have it. That’s different from standing before the country and confirming it.”

“I’m already exposed.”

“You’re protected here.”

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes.”

“And what happens while I remain behind these walls?” I asked. “The next shipment leaves. More women disappear. Another frightened girl gets snatched from a place she believes safe.”

Demitri’s jaw tightened.

I opened the folder and withdrew two pages.

“These files name a journalist who investigated women disappearing from two migrant shelters three years ago. Her editor killed the story after receiving threats against his family.”

Atlas accepted the page.

I placed the second beside it.

“This prosecutor opened an investigation into corruption by officers operating through the Port of Livorno. He was “killed” in an accident before he could file charges.”

Raze read over Atlas’s shoulder.

“Paolo Venturi. I’ve heard of him. He successfully prosecuted three men connected to the Camorra after someone left a severed hand on his wife’s car.”

My stomach tightened.

Demitri moved around the desk.

“You don’t know the journalist, and the prosecutor is dead. Who else would have the balls to take on what they started?”

“Artemus can find someone. I’m sure of it.”