I continued. “You have to trust me. This is our only chance.”
His gaze moved from Franky to Lou and then returned to me. “I never meant for you to get dragged into this.” His throat bobbed as he nodded. “Helen. It’s in Helen. The drugs, the money. All of it.”
My car. Of all the stupid-ass places to hide Mafia contraband, he picked my baby. The one thing he knew never to mess with.
Unwilling to face my fury, Justin’s gaze shifted to the floor.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” My voice cracked.
“Who’s Helen?” asked Franky.
“Notwho, what. Helen’s my car.”
“I’m sorry, Cammy.” Justin found the courage to meet my stare, but I didn’t want to hear his apologies. Now wasn’t the time. And maybe there never would be a time if Franky killed us all once he had what he needed.
This felt more painful than the slap Lou had given me. This betrayal was a hefty thump to the gut with a baseball bat.
“I can’t believe this. Why, Justin? Why would you steal that stuff?”
“For you!” His one good eye widened, pleading. “You’ve bailed me out of debt so many times, I had to find a way to pay you back. I’m your big brother. I’m supposed to be looking after you. But I fucked up.” He hung his head and sobbed, his chest heaving with every breath, something I hadn’t seen him do since he was a kid. He grimaced and clutched his ribs.
“Yeah, you fucked up.” I trembled with rage as I glared at my brother. “Because of you, we’re probably all gonna die in this sleaze-infested shithole.” It hurt like hell that our last moments together could be like this.
“I prefer the term gentleman’s club,” said Franky. “And I suggest you tell me right now where to find your car.”
“She’s in the garage of my house, and Justin is about to tell youexactlywhere in my car you can find your stuff, so you don’t have to tear her apart to get it. Right, Justin?” I cut my brother a hard stare, daring him to cause us any more trouble.
He shifted on his feet, still reluctant to confess. I narrowed my eyes when he didn’t speak up right away.
He cleared his throat. “It’s taped to the underside of the driver’s seat.”
I turned to Franky. “There, you got what you—”
“And under the passenger seat.” My brother cut in. “And under the carpet in the trunk.” He scratched the back of his head. “And maybe a little in the glove compartment. And the center console, too.”
Jesus, how much had he taken? Heat rose within me as my blood simmered. “Aren’t you creative? Did you think to shove any up your ass while you were at it?” I leveled Justin with a murderous look. His shoulders slumped.
If I weren’t cuffed to the chair, I’d lunge for my stupid-ass brother. Instead, I gritted my teeth and did my best to protect my Camaro from any further defilement. “The keys to Helen are in my kitchen, top drawer. I don’t care if you bust down the door of my house to get in, but there’s no need to be reckless and break a window on my car.”
Justin winced. “Actually… Helen’s not at your place.”
“What?” My glare snapped to him. “Where is she?”
“In Illinois.” He shrugged. “I needed a ride to Aunt Sarah’s, and the gear was already loaded in your car, so it seemed like the best option.”
“I don’t believe this shit. If there’s even a single scratch on her, I’m going to kill you.” Even if I had to join the queue behind Franky and Shep.
Franky clicked his fingers. “Lou, have Nicky get the car. Tell him to bring it here and park it underground so you can search it. Tally what’s there and report back to me.”
“Sure, boss.” Lou punched some numbers into his cell and stood outside the room with it against his ear.
Franky turned to the man guarding my brother. “Mr. Lewis, you and I have business to discuss. Take the junkie to my office.”
Ben, or whoever the hell he was, nodded and led Justin out with Franky close behind.
My brother shot me a parting look filled with grief. “I’m sorry, Cammy. I love you.”
I was so damn furious with Justin, but I hated he was hurting, too. For years, his drug addiction clouded his judgment and led him to desperation more times than I could count. For all his stupid decisions, I still loved him. I wished I’d thought to tell him that before he left the room.