Page 162 of Dissolving Prejudice
I was so caught up in the moment that I had completely forgotten about telling Dion Camilo wasn’t the traitor he thought him to be. And while every fiber of my being ached to release Camilo and help him out of here, I realized I’d have to calm down and face Dion first.
Clearing my throat, I stood up and faced him with a raised chin. “He isn’t the traitor,” I announced firmly. Fumbling in my pocket, I took out the flash drive and tossed it at Dion. After catching it, the Frenchman glared at the small memory stick, then at me.
“What’s that?” he snarled, the lines around his eyes tightening.
“That’s the information that your hooker stole from you.”
Danger crossed his eyes as he held my stare, impatience written on his face.
“Quoi?”
“Camilo wasn’t the traitor. It was Oro. That bastard set it all up to frame Camilo for his betrayal.”
Dion’s jaw twitched, yet before he could respond, Jordan appeared in the doorway, all panting and bloodied, with Oro on his back.
“Shay-Lee—oh fuck,” he gasped with his eyes latched on Camilo. “S-shit, is he dead?”
“No, he’s not,” I quickly said while Dion glanced between us all.
“What’s going on? Where’s Gale?” Dion hissed, his expression turning more dangerous by the second.
Pointing his thumb over his shoulder, Jordan took a moment to catch his breath. “So that’s this guy’s name?”
“It doesn’t matter!” I snapped, getting Dion’s attention back. “What matters is that this is wholly his fault.” I pointed my finger at Oro, who shook his head, fear written on his face.
“It’s true. He tried killing us, too,” Jordan joined in as he allowed himself into the room. With Dion still out of words, which was a nice change, Jordan dropped Oro down to the floor and quickly moved to stand by my side.
Dion’s eyes moved from us to Oro, and he focused on Oro’s legs, which were soaked with blood. I felt a shred of confidence that things might work out when another man showed up at the doorway—the guy from downstairs.
Gale.
Jordan moved before me, his fists already clenched and his eyes focused on Gale’s face, when Dion snorted, his laugh cutting through the thick atmosphere.
“Now you show up? After I could have already been shot dozens of times, at least.”
Gale bent his head down. “I’m sorry, boss.”
“Oh, pitié.” He rolled his eyes. “Save me from another one of your apologies, Gale. First, you nearly killed him—” He waved his hand at Camilo. “—then you lose a fight with a toddler.”
Toddler? Did he mean… Jordan?
“Anyway, I’m more curious as to what this sweet boy has to tell me than you,” Dion snarled, then crouched down in front of Oro and pulled the sock out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry!” Oro immediately burst out in tears. “I only tried to help you, Dion, but this bitch was doing everything he could to ruin it—”
“Non, non, non, mon chéri,” Dion was quick to silence Oro, putting his fingers on Oro’s trembling lips. “Stop crying and tell me what happened, okay?”
Oro sniffed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard, before he began telling lies upon lies. According to his story, he did all of this crap just to prove to Dion he was capable of being more than just a Gatto in the Venetian and that he chose to blame Camilo because Camilo was to leave the group, hence he must have been untrustworthy.
And while I knew it was all bullshit, I’d give it to Oro—with all the tears and begging, his story was quite believable, and it looked like I wasn’t the only one to think that. Fear settled in my bones upon seeing the smile growing on Dion’s face.
“Your legs must hurt, don’t they?” Dion asked while pushing Oro’s hair away from his sweaty face.
The bitch nodded. “Y-yes.” He pointed at me. “It’s all his fault. He shot me—”
“Because you kidnapped me, you piece of lying shit!” I shouted, my heart racing fast, hammering against my chest.
“Oof, looks like a black cat went between you two, doesn’t it?” Dion chuckled like the crazy fucker that he was. “But back to you, mon chéri. After all, we’ll have time to handle him—” He glanced at me for a quick second. “—later.”
