“Zane, is it?” Arturo asks as he takes a seat in his black leather executive chair.
“Correct, sir.”
He studies me from head to toe. It’s impossible to tell what he’s thinking. For a moment, I’m worried he knows something. Has he figured out I helped Willow in Vegas? Surely I’d be full of holes by now if that were the case. I refuse to be the first to look away. He can stare all he wants, pretend he’s the one in control. I may be deep within enemy territory, but I’ve survived a lot worse than a mean old man with a chilling glare.
“Tell me about yourself,” he says finally. Something in his tone tells me he isn’t being friendly so much as getting a feel for me.
“What would you like to know, sir?”
“Are you married?”
“I was.”
“Any kids of your own?”
A flicker of annoyance licks at the nape of my neck. I don’t ever want to bring Anna up in conversation, especially with a cartel member. Who knows what he might be saving this information for? But if Ilie…
“I have a daughter,” I say slowly, watching his expression carefully. “She’s all grown up now.”
Arturo produces a small file from the top drawer of his desk, rifling through the documents. It doesn’t take me long to realize it’s a dossier on not just me, but Heath and Knox as well. This was a test.
“Ah, yes. Anna is her name, right? What a lovely young lady.”
The tips of my fingers pulse with adrenaline.
This bastard…
“I’m very thorough when it comes to the people I bring onto my team,” Arturo explains. “It says here Heath just celebrated his wedding in Vegas, correct? Give him my congratulations.” He leans back casually in his chair and strums his fingers on his desk. “It’s quite the coincidence…”
“What is, sir?”
“You were in Las Vegas around the same time as Willow.”
I remain perfectly calm, refusing to let my composure crack. “Is that so? A coincidence, indeed.”
“You didn’t happen to see her there, did you?”
My heart thuds loudly in my chest, but I’m not going to let this shriveled old man bait me into a response I might regret. “I was busy helping my brother organize his wedding, Mr. Allegra. Not to mention Vegas is a big place. My chances of running into your daughter were astronomically slim.”
“I suppose you’re right. I’m probably overthinking things.” Arturo hums, pensive. “I noticed a brother has left?”
“A problem with another client,” I explained simply. He waited as if for details, but none were forthcoming.
He nodded. “I’m needed in Mexico to help with a… developing situation.”
“How long will you be away?”
“Only three days. I leave tomorrow morning.”
Three days… not enough time to put together a meticulous plan and cover our tracks, but at least it’s something.
Arturo rises from his desk. “Your reaction time earlier was impressive, Mr. Phillips. I’m hoping you keep my daughter in line while I’m away. I’ll be leaving a few of my guards behind to provide you with backup, but I’m sure Willow is in very capable hands.”
“That she is.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Good help is hard to come by these days.”
“Will that be all, sir?”