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“I’ll get you your information by the end of the week,” he promised. “I’ve finally found something that I believe my father will accept as payment for it.”
“Payment?” Mari’s confusion was almost laughable, until I realized how much Mario had fucked us by not giving her more information on the Osorios. Maybe he hadn’t been expecting her to lead, but the fact was, she didn’t know how to deal with them, and it put us at a disadvantage. “I wasn’t aware there was payment beyond my presence at a meeting, which I’ve already agreed to.”
Rafael shrugged, though it was uncomfortable. “Giving out intel isn’t exactly normal in the family, especially when it won’t directly benefit us. I had to promise him something on top of your meeting to get the permission I needed.”
And that rankled. Anyone could see how much he hated having to bow to his father’s whims.
“What is it that the Wolf wants that badly?” Greyson asked.
Like me, he didn’t get much consideration. All of Rafael’s attention was on Mari. “I can’t tell you what he’s after, only that it won’t harm you or put anyone you love in danger.”
“Just information, then.”
“Just information,” he agreed.
“That you found in my city,” Mari said skeptically.
“I did. But again, it won’t do anything to harm you or yours.”
“Will it put innocents in danger?”
Rafael’s face softened as he looked at his niece, and it was obvious that he loved her, even though their relationship was new. She was important to him, and seeing that she cared, it mattered to him. “There will be no innocent lives lost.”
Mari stared at him for a long time, breathing deep and even until, finally, she sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Why don’t I believe you?”
Rafael smiled a little wider. “Because you are wise beyond your years, tesorita.”
“Hmm,” was all she said.
Rafael cleared his throat as he stacked his plate and stood. “I have to go, but I’ll have the information for you soon.”
“I know you will. Because we both know you don’t want me digging for it on my own.”
Grey grinned, obviously thrilled at the very pointed threat to hack the cartel’s systems.
“Understood.”
“I’m sure it is.” Mari’s smile was predator-sharp, and I had to admit, it made me hard. “Be safe, Uncle.”
When he was gone, she turned to Nate with a thoughtful expression. “What’s Rafael’s specialty?”
He looked down at his plate as if he was recalling the information. “Sharpshooter, I think. From what we gathered, your grandfather used him for local assassinations. Stuff he didn’t want to use his team abroad for.”
She tapped her fingers against the table as she thought. “Is there any way he’s the reason we haven’t seen any activity from Cash lately?”
It felt like too much of a coincidence to say no, even if I didn’t want to give Rafael that much credit.
“There’s always a chance,” Nate said diplomatically.
“My uncle’s chasing around my biggest enemy and refusing to let me help. Why is that not the weirdest part of my life right now?” Mari said with a sigh.
She was so tense, all the softness of our time together gone.
I hated it.
Maybe I can get it back for her.
I reached for my shirt, stripping it off before the others caught on. Mari was so busy thinking, she didn’t even notice until she heard the clink of Nate’s belt hitting the floor.
