Free Rulers of Deception by Katie Jennings Page B

what’ll happen to this place once Franco’s done with you,” Jimmy said regretfully, looking around the hall. “The Vassers don’t deserve that, boss. And you know it.”
    Wyatt felt the rage simmering just under the surface of his skin, mixing with the fear. Only over his dead body would Franco ever lay a hand on the Vassers. But the thought alone was enough to knock some caution into his system.
    “You need to go.” Wyatt dug into his back pocket for his wallet, pulling out a stack of hundreds. “Here’s four hundred. Go and don’t you dare show your face around here again.”
    Jimmy’s brows shot up as he accepted the cash and pocketed it. “All right, all right. I get the message.”
    “Thanks for the warning.” Wyatt stormed out into the lobby, needing fresh air. He sucked it in with grateful gasps, his vision hazed red with violence. When he saw Jimmy wander into the lobby and disappear into the crowd, Wyatt made the instant decision to take cover once again. There were too many people around, including the front desk clerk who was watching him curiously. One wrong move and he’d slip back and tell Linc something that could lead to a whole host of questions. Better to disappear.
    He ducked back into the hallway and made his way closer to the kitchen storage area, then stopped when he rounded a corner and spotted Raoul. Had the man been back there the whole time?
    Raoul pretended to be organizing one of the shelves packed with dry food items, but when he saw Wyatt he stood and faced him.
    He nodded in the direction of where Jimmy had just left. “Who was that?”
    The surprise on Wyatt’s face turned into a sneer. “An old friend.”
    “Connected to the cartel?” Raoul puffed out his chest as he crossed his arms, anger etching the lines of his face. “Do not try and lie to me, cabrón .”
    For a long moment, Wyatt said nothing. He weighed the situation in his mind and wondered if Raoul had heard as much as he was leading on.
    Deciding to take his chances, he shook his head. “No. Next time have some goddamn respect and don’t eavesdrop.”
    Without another word he stalked off, leaving Raoul to dwell on his suspicions.
    Wyatt went immediately upstairs, realizing he was ten minutes late for the lunch date with his wife. Knowing Madison, she’d already be working on a temper over the inconvenience. In all honesty, he was too troubled to care.
    Part of him wanted to just make some excuse and leave the hotel. Hop in his car and get out of the city for a few hours, get some air. He felt suffocated by the cloud of paranoia hovering over him, giving him a sense of being watched. Had it been Franco’s men who’d been outside his home the night before? Were they gathering information to take back to Franco?
    But no, it made no sense. Franco’s men couldn’t just waltz into the United States without setting off red flags. Unless he had people on the inside already, which Wyatt knew was likely. Franco had to transport the drugs somehow.
    Feeling sick, he walked past Carrie without saying a word and barged into Madison’s office, not even caring if it irritated her. When she looked up and saw him, he realized he must be wearing his fear all over his face. Her concerned look told him as much.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” he lied, shutting the door and stuffing his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting. His mouth set in a hard smile as he slid his mask back into place. “Just a little rattled. Almost t-boned some jackass in a Lexus that pulled out in front of me. I caught up with him and gave him a piece of my mind.”
    Madison continued to stare at him, unsure if he was telling the truth. If he wasn’t, she’d get it out of him eventually. “Sounds like an exciting afternoon.”
    A laugh escaped his lips, more sick than amused. If only she knew…
    “I’m not made for the city, sweetheart. Not like you are. The traffic drives me crazy.” He rounded her desk so he could rub her