Page 171 of Dante
"Yes."
"And they've been planning this for months."
"At least."
"And now they know about me."
My jaw clenches.
"Yes."
Marina pulls her hand from mine.
Wraps her arms around her knees again.
Makes herself small.
I hate it.
Hate that I've done this to her.
"What did Lorenzo order you to do?" she asks.
"Stay put."
Her head snaps up.
"Stay put?"
"Nico's team is handling the cartel's Denver operations. They're dismantling everything—supply chains, safe houses, personnel. Lorenzo wants me to recover from my wound while they work."
"And after?"
"After, we reassess."
Marina studies me.
"Are you going to stay put?"
I don't answer.
Can't answer.
Because the truth is, I don't know. The truth is, every instinct I have is screaming at me to hunt. To find Alejandro Mendoza and put a bullet between his eyes.
But Marina is here.
Marina is in danger because of me.
And if I leave—if I go hunting—I leave her unprotected.
"Dante."
Her voice pulls me back.
"Are you going to stay put?"
I look at her.
