Free Rulers of Deception by Katie Jennings Page A

I’ve been in New York. My presence here hasn’t exactly been a secret.”
    “That’s just it though, isn’t it?” Jimmy pointed out, shrugging. “Franco never does nuthin’ without a plan. My source says he’s been biding his time since he found out you’re here. Figurin’ out the best way to hit you, where it’ll hurt the most. You know how it goes. These cartel guys never let go of a grudge. Once you’re on their hit list, it’s for life.”
    Wyatt immediately thought of the unmarked van outside his home with Madison, the fear returning. “What else did your source tell you?”
    “Just that he’s lookin’ for me, too.” Jimmy brushed off the idea, though Wyatt sensed his friend’s fear. “Guess he never got over what we did back in Bogotá.”
    Wyatt let out a long, uneasy sigh, leaning against the wall opposite Jimmy. He let his head fall back and shut his eyes. “All right. So what’s your second reason for being here?”
    “I need some cash.” When Wyatt shot him an irritated look, Jimmy held up his hands defensively. “Before you say it, hear me out. I just got outta the joint two months ago. I can’t find a job, ain’t got a family no more, no friends. I got nuthin’, boss. Just you.”
    “And I just happen to be married to a very wealthy woman.” Wyatt grimaced, furious now. “Look, I’m sorry you’re in the situation you’re in and I appreciate you giving me the heads up about Franco, if I even decide to buy in to the bullshit that he’s got me on his hit list. But I can’t help you. If Madison or anyone else gets a whiff that you’re here, then I’m going to have to explain some very bad secrets I don’t care to explain.”
    “I just need a few hundred, maybe a grand, to get by,” Jimmy said, desperation in his voice. “I know you got that boat business, the townhouse on the Upper East Side…can’t ya find a way to slip me some cash without your old lady findin’ out?”
    Wyatt’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, thinking of the van again. “You know where I live?”
    Jimmy ignored the question. “It’s easy enough to get lost in this city, boss, but I need some cash to get me underground. I don’t know how long his people will be in town—”
    “The cartel is here?”
    “So I heard. That’s why I came to warn you.” Jimmy shrugged. “I can get you access to hardware in exchange for the cash, if you’d like. I know a guy who knows a guy can get you some black market shit. No serials, untraceable. Might come in handy right now.”
    Wyatt rubbed his face with his hands. As ridiculous as the idea sounded, part of him wondered if carrying a gun could become a necessity. His hands fell away and he sent Jimmy a warning look. “I can’t help you, Jimmy. I’m sorry. I have a wife to protect now.”
    The tick in Jimmy’s eye fluttered. “How’re ya gonna protect her, Wyatt? You know how Franco works, how he makes you the mouse to his cat. He’ll hit you from every angle to destroy your reputation, then he’ll turn the world against you. After that, when every single person you love hates your guts, he’ll start killing them off and framing you for it. Remember, he did that to that Luis guy who cheated him on a drug deal. Poor bastard went to prison for killing his entire family. Then Franco’s boys on the inside gutted him and bled him dry. That’s what he’ll do to you, and to me, if he can catch me. Though I ain’t got no one but you, boss, so he’ll know you’re a more satisfying target, what with the Vassers and all.”
    Jimmy’s words disturbed Wyatt. So much so that he felt the cold lick of terror and anxiety skitter up his spine. He knew Jimmy was right. He’d seen Franco’s cold, cruel nature for himself. But that didn’t mean he fully trusted his old friend. Jimmy was never one to tell it straight, leaving Wyatt to navigate through verbal somersaults and cartwheels until he finally got what he wanted, if he ever did.
    “It’s too bad