Carmine hesitated before we went to the door.
“I’ve got to warn you both,” he said, looking at me in particular. “There are people here. You don’t know them, but like I said, I’ve been busy.”
“Who’s in there, Carmine?” I asked, hand drifting to the baton. I wasn’t in any shape to fight, but I’d kill anyone that threatened to hurt Cap.
“Cartel men. They’re friendly, so don’t start cracking skulls.” He glanced at my hand with a meaningful glare.
I relaxed and shrugged. “Whatever you say.”
Carmine knocked and a small guy in baggy clothes answered. “Wondering when you’d show up,” he said and glanced at me and Cap. “You brought some friends, boss?”
“Enrico, this is Mal and Capri. They’re honored guests.”
“Good to meet you both.” Enrico grinned and a gold tooth gleamed from the bottom of his mouth. He had to be in his twenties at most, and looked like he was used to hard living. My kind of guy. “Let’s go inside before the neighbors see.”
The house was big, and while there weren’t a lot of personal touches lingering in the rooms, the furniture was comfortable and the place looked lived-in. There were four other men sitting out back: Jasper, Iago, Orlan, and Danilo. “They’re from the Puebla Cartel,” Carmine explained. They had the hard looks of men used to living rough and fighting.
“This the whole crew?” I asked.
Iago, the oldest of them, a heavyset man with more gray than black in his beard, leaned against the table. “For now, this is all. But the Puebla Cartel is interested in working with Carmine here, assuming he can find a way to take power back from Mauro Balestra.”
“Besides, this is all we need,” Jasper added, grinning. He was young, reed-thin, with a hooked nose and a constant smile.
“The plan’s simple,” Carmine said, sitting at the head of the table. The back patio was nice and quiet with shade from a large built-in porch covering. An overhead fan spun lazily, pushing the warm morning air in circles. “Balestra hit my family hard, and we’ll do the same to him. There are those in the city that are still loyal to my name, and we’ll rally them to the cause. We’ll kill Mauro and take back what’s rightfully mine.”
“Sounds fun,” I said, watching the men at the table carefully. I didn’t know how much I trusted them. The cartels were notoriously fickle—they’d back anyone with enough power and money. That was how Mauro had gotten the strength to kill Placido Falsone in the first place, and now Carmine was emulating his enemy’s strategy. It didn’t sit well, but I understood why he had to do it. “There might be a few problems.”
“Like what?” Iago asked, shrugging. “We have guns. We have cash. What else do we need?”
“An actual plan would be nice. Balestra’s got the city on lockdown right now.”
“All thanks to you,” Carmine said, laughing. “Lighten up, Mal. We’re working on it. Besides, we have the best source of information possible.” His eyes slipped to Cap.
All the men looked at her. She wilted slightly, arms wrapped around herself. She looked like she was on the verge of collapse. Big, black bags hung under her eyes, and bruises bloomed across her skin. Despite the mottled yellow and black, she looked incredible.
“I don’t know how much I can tell you,” she said, shrugging her slight shoulders. I wanted to squeeze her hand and give her courage. I settled for shifting closer instead. “I’m sure Rolando knows my dad’s business better than I do.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Carmine said, still smiling. “Whatever you can tell us will be helpful.”
“Not right now,” I said, looking at Carmine. “She’s been through enough. She needs to rest.”
He hesitated and glanced at her. I stepped between them, glaring.
“If it’s okay, I really do want to get some sleep.” Her voice was soft and quiet.
Carmine’s mouth twitched. “Whatever you need, Cap.” But he stared at me.
I stared back. If he pushed her too hard and too fast, I’d rip his fucking head off. I didn’t care that he was my best friend back from the dead and that I should be rejoicing. Cap was my priority now, and if he put her in danger, I’d end him.
Just like I planned on killing anyone that hurt her.
I turned away from the table. “Is there a room she can have?” I asked.
“Back room,” Iago answered. “It’s empty right now.”
I led Cap inside. I took her up the steps and down the hall. The back room was a tiny thing, barely more than a closet, but it had a bed and a dresser and not much else. I shut the door, locked it, and turned to Cap.
She stared at me, chewing on her lip.
“Mal,” she said.
So much lingered in that word. My name. Coming from her. It was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard. I took two steps closer. Then another step.