AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Something like that.” As the waitress came over, she didn’t bother asking before filling our coffee cups. His hand was shaking as he reached for the sugar.
I had a feeling the man was under duress or had been tasked to provide me with false information. Either way, he was a low man on the totem pole for whoever he was working for. “That means nothing to me. What have you heard about an attempt made on my fiancée’s life?”
Now his eyes opened wide. I could tell he was genuinely surprised. “I don’t know anything about that. I did hear there are some folks who want you dead.”
So the hit had been intended for me. At least we were getting somewhere. “By whom?”
He glanced around the diner. “By someone you’d least expect. Somebody that wants to take away Camelot.”
The fact he’d used the term meant someone had been paying close attention to the alliance made with the Warrington family. In my line of work, that usually meant someone had altered plans, which made them careless in their actions. That’s one reason they hadn’t realized I wasn’t inside the suite when the people they’d hired had attacked. I’d been right that my sudden appearance had caused more than one issue. “Hired guns.”
“Yes, and no, I have no clue from where.”
“Does the name Raphael Diego mean anything to you?”
There was the glimmer I needed. He was more uncomfortable than before, swallowing twice. “Bad dude. Rumor has it he was to come into California, but he had obstacles. I don’t know anything about that.”
Obstacles. That either meant another cartel or law enforcement breathing down his neck. “You put that in the past tense.”
“Yeah, well, I heard he kicked the bucket.”
“Okay. Are his men in California?” I glanced at Grayson who had his eyebrows furrowed.
“On and off. You hear stories but I’ve never seen his soldiers. I’m not into his product, if you know what I mean. Look. I need to get out of here.” The man was even tapping his foot on the tile rapidly.
“Why are you so nervous?” Grayson asked.
“Because there are eyes everywhere, man. Everywhere. You’re not from around here. There’s morebusinessthat goes down in social clubs and fancy parties than you have any idea about. These people rule the goddamn world, not the fucking slimy cartels. Hell, you need an invitation just to shit. If you know what I mean.”
“Who runs this group of individuals?” I asked as he started to stand. Yeah. I knew exactly what he meant.
“A few families. Let’s just say politics ain’t what it used to be. There’s an old boys’ school that really runs the world. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Even if the man is alive, Diego ain’t no fool. He knows better than to step foot in this area. Just be warned. Word on the street is that they don’t want you here either. I gave you what you wanted so do me a favor. Don’t contact me again. I appreciate the extra cash but it ain’t worth it. I like breathing.”
I took a deep breath and allowed him to walk away, glancing over my shoulder. The guy was nervous as hell. I was starting to connect the dots. He was right in that the power in this town was entirely different. That was something my father had known about.
Exhaling, I thought about Spencer’s words regarding my dad. His death had been about leaving me a legacy intact. And I had a feeling I knew what had happened. That would be handled later.
“That was worthless,” Grayson grumbled. “And I paid that fucker ten k.”
“Not at all. Money well spent. In fact, I think I have my answer.”
He furrowed his brow. “Meaning what?”
“Meaning I need you to delve into something else for me while I go to the meeting with Suzannah and her father.”
“O-kay. Now, you have me curious.”
“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” After getting to my feet, I yanked out a couple of twenties, tossing them onto the table. As I headed for the door, I thought about the scandalous liaison I’d had with my lovely bride to be. If my instincts were correct, it would appear I hadn’t been the only one forming new alliances.
The rest of the charade would be exciting to unmask.
What had my father always told me? May the strongest survive. In this case, it had nothing to do with strength or the number of soldiers. It was all about mental aptitude. And who could play the game with more finesse.
I grabbed my sunglasses as soon as I walked out the door, the bright sun allowing a smile to cross my face. My phone rang and my gut told me it was Butch.
As soon as I looked at the number, I smiled. “What can you tell me?”
“Their identities were wiped, but I think I figured out who they were working for.”
