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His face was somber, and a sense of heaviness surrounded him. “Are you aware that your dad spotted Brett a kilo of ice about three months ago?”
Her stomach churned in a violent sea of unease at the mention of crystal meth. Distaste coated her tongue in a clammy film. “No,” she said flatly. “I had no idea Brett was around at all. How do you know?”
“Apparently Brett defaulted on the loan,” Dare said dryly.
She knotted her hands in her lap. She was mostly numb to her father’s business dealings, but once in a while she saw her world through an outsider’s eyes and it made her a little sick. Knowing what her father did for a living was one thing. Having it read aloud to her by a stranger was another. There wasn’t anything she could do about her dad’s awful career.
Besides, she’d learned a long time ago that this was the way of the world. People bought and sold drugs, and while she didn’t have a part in that exchange, she wasn’t oblivious to it either. And she was far from innocent. Her role in Sinners Cartel didn’t involve selling drugs, but cornering small businesses into accepting work wasn’t high on any morality lists either. “Do you think that’s what caused this? Not Brett trying to get revenge for Jace’s death?”
He leaned forward and laced his fingers in front of his knees. “Could be.”
She sighed. “I want to see my father.”
Dare nodded in understanding. “I bet you do. When this is all done, Toth can take you to him.”
She exhaled through her nose and stared at the sun dipping below the mountains. They could be gone all night. “Maybe if we confronted my dad, we could move things along faster.”
Dare’s eyes sharpened. “That’s not a good idea. We’re staying here.”
She smothered a growl of frustration. “I’m a prisoner now?”
“No. But it’s not smart for us to leave and put everyone at risk.” His words carried the weight of warning—he wouldn’t endanger Sophia. Not that she could blame him. Cole would probably have his head. “We’ll wait until they get back.”
Savannah swallowed. “All right.”
“If Brett’s there, we won’t have to wait long.” Dare winked and stood. “Hang tight.”
***
Toth’s body vibratedas he walked down the sidewalk. His brain registered each door number as he moved.
105, 106, 107...
He reached behind his back and snagged his 9mm. Cole followed suit a beat later. Toth stopped a few paces away from room 109’s window and slid his focus to Cole.
“I’m going to the other side.” Cole moved swiftly past the door and plastered his back to the wall, gun in hand.
Sweat tickled Toth’s neck, the cool dampness wetting his shirt. His nerves jumped like a Doberman chained in a junkyard, waiting to attack an assailant.
Cole jerked his head toward the door, giving Toth the go-ahead to bust it open. The evening sky was a shade of indigo. There were only two cars in the parking lot, and the place was quiet except for the constant buzz of insects.
Cars whizzed by on the busy road fifty or so yards away.
“Psst,” Cole hissed.
As far as avoiding civilian endangerment went, this mostly vacant area was probably the best they were going to get. Toth gave a nod, angled himself in front of the door, and lifted his leg. He stomped his boot into the wood and the cheap door bounced open. “Arms up!” Toth barreled into the room.
Cole came up behind him, fast and steady. Toth swept his weapon around in the tight space, taking in the dirty room. The scents of urine and rotting food made him curl his nostrils. Empty takeout containers and beer bottles were piled on the dinette table, and more shit covered the nightstands and the floor around the bed.
“Ugh. Christ.” Cole bent his face to his elbow.
Toth fought down the urge to retch. The place was empty. The covers were in a heap on the floor and clothes were scattered around the room. “Fuck.” He lowered his weapon.
“Hold up.” Cole nodded at a pair of shoes near the front door.
Toth jerked up his gun and advanced on the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar. Using the toe of his boot, he pushed open the flimsy wood. “Jesus.” This time he ducked his head into the crook of his arm.
Cole stepped up beside him and grunted.
