Page 91 of Power
“I know this because I have access to powerful people in high places. I’ve been able to take care of business for them, when they can’t do it.”
She tugged her hands away, steeled her spine. “This has been a really tough day. You walked in on a moment when I needed to be alone. I appreciate that you’re here, but you’re not making any sense. Is it me? Is it you?” She moved off the counter stool, stood on the other side of the island. There, she folded her arms and glared at him.
“I thought you ran Santini International,” she continued. “Clearly, Z was on to something. Did you just tell me you’re my partner? How is that even possible, and why didn’t Providence say anything?”
“She’s going to, on Monday. Where’s your meeting?”
“No idea. She said Slash would drive me.”
“To the Black Site, where Rebel trains his rescue team.”
“Ohmygod, you’re with ALPHA.” Pausing, she furrowed her brow. “Why would Z?—”
“Not ALPHA?—”
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Relax. Everything stays between us.”
She inhaled a deep breath. It marginally helped.
“First, I hate law enforcement, but there are people who straddle the line of good and evil that I’m tight with,” Luciano continued. “ALPHA goes after the worst of the worst, yes?”
“Right.” Now, he was starting to make sense.
“When criminals get off on a technicality or escape prison, ALPHA might be tasked with re-arresting them… or taking them out.”
She nodded.
He knows as much as I do… maybe more.
“Sometimes they can’t take someone out, despite the evidence. They have to arrest them. And that person might not get charged.” A devilish smiled brightened his handsome face. “That’s where my team and I come in?—”
“You don’t work alone?”
He shook his head. “We take out the monsters ALPHA can’t.”
“You’re a contract killer?”
“It’s my volunteer job.”
Strangely, that made her laugh. “You’re a sick fuck.”
“I run Santini International and take out thugs on the side.”
“This has gotta be a nightmare,” she murmured. “Are you for real?”
“ALPHA doesn’t know if there’s a mole on the team?—”
“Providence mentioned that.”
“The first time The Bomb Maker struck?—”
“Five years ago,” she said.
“Right. He took out his own men along with ALPHA.”
Muscles running the length of her back turned to steel.Thatshe knew, all too well. He paused to study her for a long moment before continuing. Though she could have told him—more like bare my soul—she stayed silent.
