Page 77 of Tainted Blood
“She found a purpose, and a good man.” He narrows his eyes at me again.
“That’s kind of why I’m here,” I say, ignoring the dig. “I’d like to know if Senator Sanders still has links with any NGOs in New York?”
“The ones with projects to help trafficking victims?”
There he goes again, being all smart.
“Yes.”
“I see.” He steeples his hands as he considers my request. “Why did you come to me about this, and not Sam? The Senator is his stepfather.”
“I figured Sam was still in the hospital. I wanted to test the waters before I brought it up with my father, too. He’s requesting I go back to the island for a while, but I want something—”
“More?” Edier drops his feet from the desk. “I’m seeing the Senator tonight, as it so happens. You looking for a company, or a job?”
“Just a job,” I say with another laugh. “I’m not looking for handouts, just a foot in the door. I’ve decided that counting cards isn’t a fulfilling profession.”
“Not that lucrative either, if you keep getting caught... Okay, leave it with me.” He rises to his feet to show me out, but I stay sitting right where I am.
“Why are you such a monster to my sister?”
“Fuck off,” he snarls, clearly taken aback by my question. “Besides, I am a monster.”
Any news on Zaccaria?” I glance at the photographs scattered all over his desk, as dark clouds start to form over my brief glimpse of recovery. Most are identical to the ones in Santi’s office.
“Not yet, but we will,” he reassures me, seeing the look on my face. “We’re already had a sighting in South Africa. Carrera’s had two in Morocco. The minute he hits US soil, we’ll have our guns so far up his ass he’ll be spitting out his last words with lead. After that, you can do the honors.”
My stomach lurches. “My father told you I killed a man, didn’t he?”
“I’m not here to be your conscience, bug.”
“Bug?” I let out a burst of surprised laughter. “I can’t remember the last time you called me that.”
“Probably when he still thought fucking his right hand was a beautiful love affair,” comes a wicked drawl from behind us.
“Sam!” I jump to my feet and rush over to him.
“One foot distance, sweetheart,” he says, flinging his crutch at me like a barrier. “Let this body return to its former glory at its own pace.”
His handsome face is drawn, but his expression is still a smirk away from a kiss and a punch.
“You look like you’ve been to hell and back,” he remarks, looking me over too.
“Takes one to know one.”
His dark eyes gleam. “Did you cry when you thought I was dead?”
“Did you cry at the thought of never having sleep again for the next eighteen years?” I say with a smile.
He freezes. “She told you?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow morning, Thalia,” Edier interrupts. “I’ll let you know what the Senator says... Sam, see her out.”
The elevator doors spring open on the ground floor. There’s a crowd of sharp suits waiting, no doubt here for some meeting with Edier. It only takes me a second to register the sharpest one of all.
Santi.
The second our eyes meet, he’s reaching out and slamming his hand across the doors to stop them closing.