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Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose. “Basically, what it does is it creates a feeling of euphoria, a lot of energy, empathy, and sociability. Once you start the drug, it’s nearly impossible to stop on your own. It’ll eventually kill you because your need to re-dose is high.”

“You googled too?” Penn asked, earning him a head shake from Gideon.

“Anyway.” I rolled my eyes. “What’s the plan?”

“Sasha’s and Ruslan’s bodies were put in the SUV and pushed down a cliff. With some creativity, it’ll look like they got their asses kicked and killed. Which might bring more people here to find out what exactly is going on, and I’m starting to think that may not be a bad thing.” Gideon pointed at me and Danny. “In the meantime, I want the two of you to talk to Liev Hansen.”

“By talk, you mean…?” Danny questioned.

“We need him alive. The goal is to get Ivanov here, and messing with his supply, his money, his power, might just do that.”

I grinned. “If he has any drugs there, you want us to take them?”

Last time we’d done this was when Lorcan Anders had been trying to move drugs into Northchester through a pawn shop. Our goal then had been to anger Lorcan enough for him to show his face, but it just had just gotten the owner’s ass kicked. This was a little different, but it had the potential to blow up in our faces.

“Not yet. I want to find out if Hansen is doing this for Ivanov because he’s threatened or because he’s greedy. I need more info from him before I can determine what to do next.”

“What makes you think he won’t run to Ivanov after we leave?” I questioned.

“You’re just going to have to be scarier than him.”

Now that, I could do.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Danny

A few hours later, Alex and I were sitting in his car outside the distribution center.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to talk to him at his house?” I thought aloud as I surveyed the area and all the people working.

“Less suspicious having us come here. Without knowing how long Liev’s reach is with law enforcement, even though I’m sure Gideon would fix it, it’s better to talk our way out of being here as opposed to a private residence.”

I shrugged. “I guess. So, how do you want to do it?”

“Just stay close, and let me do the talking.”

“What? Wait…” But it was too late. Alex opened the car door and was walking toward the building. “Dammit!” I quickly followed. “I need to know the plan,” I whisper-yelled.

“I told it to you. Just have my back.”

“I always do, but still, a plan would be nice.”

He just smiled and opened the door to the center. “After you.”

While I wanted to believe that Alex wasn’t going to fly off the handle like he had often this past year, I couldn’t help wondering if whatever he had planned was going to end in bloodshed.

“Can I help you?” A middle-aged man in a blue button-down, black pants, and glasses approached us.

“I hope so. We’re looking for Liev Hansen.” Alex was being charming. Why was that scarier than when he was glaring?

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Absolutely,” Alex said with complete confidence.

“Oh, um…” The man peered over his shoulder. “He’s in his office on a call. Who’d you say you were? I can let him know.”

“We didn’t.” Alex slid his hands into his pockets, completely at ease. Yeah, definitely terrifying.