Page 88 of Shades of Loyalty
Chapter Thirty-five
Daniel
"Eduardo Mazur."
I raise an eyebrow. “That’s the guy’s name?”
Hayden grins. “Yeah. Recognized his tattoo, but I didn’t dig deeper until Julian left. Just to be sure. I know you suspected him.”
Although he’s right, I almost feel bad for Julian—almost. Suspecting him just because he was an asshole was wrong. I admit that.
“I just hate him, that’s all,” I sigh. “But he’s a good guy. He does his job well, you know.”
Hayden nods. “Still, safety first. You wanna know something about Eduardo now or not?”
“Gladly,” I say.
His explanation is both complicated and straightforward. Just the way I like it.
“The Mazur family. Your father didn’t help them when they fell. The Polish mafia fucked up in Chicago—remember that?”
I exhale. “To be honest, I don’t remember much of that. My father never told me. It wasn’t relevant until now.”
Hayden shrugs. “Figured. Listen. After their family collapsed—thanks to a snitch and the cops—most of them ended up in prison. The rest? Junkies. Homeless. And Eduardo?” He smirks. “He’s one of them. Probably desperate to survive.Anddesperate for revenge.”
I nod, though my mind is still piecing it all together. I have trouble following his thoughts.Definitelynot enough sleep.
“So, what, the Mazur family wants to wipe me out?”
Hayden leans back, tilting his head. “This man knew he was gonna die, Dan. Whoever sent him—manipulated himsowell. His pride was that big, he thought killingDaniel Carusowas worth his own life.” He exhales sharply.
“He wasn’t in it for the money. He did it for pride. For revenge. Someone gave him enough purpose to die for this. To diefor his family.”
His gaze flicks with intrigue, almost admiration.
I sigh. “Hayden… Justsayit. Are you telling me the Mazur family is starting a war? Sending their men to try and kill me?”
His smirk fades. “I… don’t know if it’s them directly, but I know who Eduardo was close with. I found some of his contacts. Could be useful.” He shrugs.
I stare at him, waiting for more. But when he stays silent, I groan in frustration. “That’s it? That’s thebignews? Eduardo Mazur? That’s all you got?”
Hayden sighs, looking out the window. “Man, it’s still better than nothing.”
“I guess,” I mutter, dragging a hand down my face. A frustrated breath escapes me. “Alright. Track his friends. Watch them.”
“On it,” he acknowledges.
I stare outside, still piecing everything together. I thought getting a name would make things clearer, but all I have now is more fucking questions.
The Mazur family has no business starting a war.
This isn’t about them. Most their family is gone, starting a war would not help them in any way. Someone else is using our old enemy to wipe us out. Butwho?
Hayden lays a hand on my shoulder. “Want my analysis? Short and straightforward?”
I nod, though I doubt it’ll help much.
“Whoever’s behind this manipulated Eduardo. If we track his guys,pressurethem a little… maybe they’ll talk.”
