Chapter One
Graham looked up from his desk as two of his guys strode in, dragging a small person between them.
He set his pen down and sat back.
“Yo, boss, we found this kid in the warehouse on Seventy-Fourth.”
“He was in the warehouse?”
“Yeah. The little bastard has been there for a while, too. He took one of the back storage rooms and turned it into his own little apartment.”
Graham studied the person who looked more like a kid in a dirty oversized gray sweatshirt and ratty jeans. “Okay, I’ll take care of it. I might have you come back for the body, though, so stick around.”
He grinned at the gasp from the kid and watched the men leave, waiting for the door to close.
“What’s your name?”
The little shit crossed his arms over his chest.
“If you don’t give me answers, I’ll get them another way.”
He sighed when the kid stood mute. “Take off the hood.”
The kid didn’t move.
“If you don’t do it yourself, I’ll come to help you. I guarantee it won’t be pleasant, and I’ll leave bruises on you.”
The hood came down, and it took a moment for Graham to realize the kid was a woman. There was no mistaking the adult female structure of her face, and although dirty, her skin was blemish-free and pale except for the bruises under her eyes, telling him she hadn’t gotten enough sleep lately. Her black hair seemed to be in a bun, so he couldn’t tell how long it was. From where he sat, her eyes looked green and were striking.
“What in the fuck is a young woman doing in one of my warehouses?”
“I didn’t know it was yours.”
“Ah, so you can talk?” He almost smiled when she scowled. “Do you know who I am?”
She nodded. “The brutes who brought me here talked about Graham Maclean.”
“Have you heard about us?” Graham asked.
She shrugged. “Sure. I’ve lived in the city my whole life.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
He studied her for a while.
“Can I go now? I promise not to go into the warehouse again.”
He snorted. “You really think I’m going to let you stroll out of here before I get all my answers?”
“I was hoping.”
“What’s your name?”
She pressed her lips together.
“Listen, babe. I’ll tie your ass down and wait for as long as it takes to get my answers. It’s up to you how long it will take.”
She took a deep breath. “Faith.”
“Faith what?” he snapped.
“Moretti.”
He leaned forward and tipped his head because he didn’t think he’d heard her right. “Say it again.”
She cleared her throat. “Moretti.”
He sat back and stared. Fuck. This could get his whole family killed if they made enemies with the Moretti family. “What were you doing in the warehouse?
“Hiding.”
“From what?”