<b>Chapter </b><b>191 </b>
I decided to be direct. “I’m looking for Ace of Spades.”
Loki’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Shadow Organization, then?” When I didn’t respond, he continued, “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I know very little about the Shadow Organization.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Try the drug lord in the east district, or perhaps the arms dealer in the southwest.” Loki set his beer down. “I was only recently assigned here by the family. I don’t know much about our operations in this area. As you heard earlier, I don’t exactly have a say in family matters. Many things I’m not privy to, including whether your Ace of Spades might be with us.”
I smiled coldly. “You want to use me against Marcus.”
“I have my motivations,” he admitted. “But what I’ve told you is true.”
I tilted my head, considering him. “Who in your Scorpio family would be most like Ace of Spades<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“If Ace of Spades were here,” Loki replied carefully, “would they work under Marcus? That’s what you’re wondering,
isn’t it?”
I nodded slowly.
“Interested in working together?” Loki suggested. “With your skills and my inside knowledge, we could—”
“You think you’re worthy?” <b>I </b>cut him off, my voice dripping with disdain.
I turned and headed for the window I’d entered through. As I slipped out into the night, I heard Loki murmur, “Not necessarily.”
The journey to the arms dealer’s territory was tense. Scorpio’s men were everywhere, stopping vehicles, questioning pedestrians. Our driver<b>, </b>a American who’d been living in Crimson Valley for years, navigated the back roads expertly.
“Scorpio’s hunting for Americans,” he exined. “Lucky for us, the arms dealer has a soft spot for our kind. Any American in trouble can seek help there.”
When we reached the checkpoint at the border of the arms dealer’s territory, the guards eyed us suspiciously. Night and Chris sat in the back of the SUV, while I rode shotgun.
“Americans<b>?</b>” one guard asked, peering into our vehicle.
<b>8:20 </b><b>Thu</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>
“Yes,” our driver answered. “Seeking sanctuary.”
The guard studied each of our faces before nodding. “Go ahead. But stay out of trouble.”
??)
As we drove through the gates, I noted the stark difference between Scorpio’s territory and this one. The buildings were better maintained, the streets cleaner. People moved about freely, without the oppressive fear I’d sensed elsewhere in Crimson Valley.
We were led to argepound at the center of the territory. Two figures stood waiting for us–a tall, muscr man with a shaved head and a slender woman with short blonde hair.
97
“I’m Maverick,” the man introduced himself. “This is Sloane. Wee to our humble operation.”
“I’m Jade,” I replied. “This is Night, Chris Jensen, and you can call him Night.”
“I’m a boss,” Night added with a grin. “Handsome, rich, and—”
“Annoying,” I finished for him. “We need your help.”
Chris stepped forward, exining our situation–the rescued girl who needed to return to America, Scorpio’s manhunt for us, our need for temporary shelter.
Sloane frowned. “Scorpio’s looking for them, and you brought them here? This water’s too hot for us to wade into.”
Maverick raised a hand to silence her. “We’ll help with the girl. We can get her on a transport tonight.”
‘I want our people escorting her,” Chris insisted.
Sloane’s frown deepened, but Maverick nodded. “Agreed.”
“We also need to purchase weapons,” Chris continued. “And request temporary lodging.”
Maverick’s expression turned apologetic. “We can supply the weapons, but I can’t offer you shelter. You just burned Scorpio’s property. I can’t risk having you here. I’m sorry I can’t do more.”
We were escorted to the border of their territory.
As we prepared to leave, I suddenly turned back. “Wait for me. I need to go back.”