“Yeah, because all us Chinese like to get stoned on poppies. Of course. Just like we all know kung fu and eat with fucking chopsticks. If you didn’t have that gun to my head, Diego, I’d make you regret what you just said.”
“Shut up. I’m the one talking. You don’t get a choice in what’s going to happen. You lost that when you betrayed me. So listen close to what I have planned, because if you don’t do what I want, your friend gets the same deal.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “You’re not going to be stoned, honey. I don’t want you numb, only a little buzzed, enough to keep you from going into shock. Because the next part, that’s special, and I don’t want you to miss a thing. I’m going to take your leg apart, starting with your toes, one at a time. Once I finish with that, I’ll start all over on another limb. You’re going to feel every slice of the blade—scream for me to stop. Beg. You’ll wish I killed you in that bomb blast. But first, I want the money you squirreled away to replace what you let the Feds have. If you don’t tell me where you’ve hidden it, I’m going to do the same thing to your friend as you watch.” He lifted his gaze from her and stared at Gee. “I wanted to be clear on that.”
“You say the sweetest things. I don’t know how any girl could resist you.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Xio. You know I don’t threaten. I make promises. This is your last chance. I want my money.”
She eyed him. Diego wasn’t bluffing. “Give me a pen. I put it in an account.”
“In a bank?”
“Of course in a bank. That’s usually where you find accounts.”
Diego started laughing. “Oh, that’s priceless. You put stolen money, drug money, in a bank—when you’re a bank robber? I gave you everything you wanted, China Doll, and you repaid me by turning state’s evidence and stealing my money to put it in a fucking bank?”
“Well, I wanted it to earn interest and up to two hundred and fifty thousand is FDIC insured. Considering what the peso is against the American dollar, that’s a lot of cash. It won’t make money stuffed in a mattress, so yes, I put it in the bank.” Well, some of it was here, the rest she’d left in Mexico. No reason to share information he didn’t need.
He pulled the pistol away and wrenched her off the floor, then dragged her to a table. He kicked a chair out and shoved her into it. “You heard her, boys. Get the lady a pen. Xio is going to get me my money—with interest.”
“Hold on, Diego. Not that easy.” Xio sucked in a breath. “We have to go there to get it.”
“What?”
“It’s not in a checking account. I told you I wanted it to earn interest. It’s in a certificate of deposit, earning a nice rate, I might add. I can’t just write a check or call and tell them to transfer. They require me to sign paperwork and I’ll do it with a smile if you let my friend go.”
“I don’t need you to smile. I need you to get me my fucking money. You’re not making me very happy, Xio.”
“Like you were a chuckling ray of sunshine when you walked in here.”
Diego tipped his head back and laughed. “You always were funny. Okay, let’s make a little field trip, but your friend is coming with us. Once I have my money, he can go.”
“Fine. Get my purse. It’s under the bar. I’ll need my identification.” She didn’t bother to tell him she’d left the ID she needed to access the money in her safe-deposit box, but it didn’t matter. She sensed Marcus was right outside. How to keep from going out that door and putting the man she loved in the line of fire? “Maybe we should call ahead, let them know we’ll be closing the account.”
“Maybe we should just start cutting your friend up here.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ll take you now.”
The bear gave her a barely perceptible nod and took a quick glance at the window, telling her he knew she was stalling, and he understood why. For once, she was glad of Gee’s odd ability to seem to know what was on her mind. Shit would hit the proverbial fan once they stepped outside. At least he was aware of it.
Now to figure out what to do to get them out of this mess. Alive. At least until Drew got hold of her. Answering to the Alpha wasn’t going to be fun, especially when he figured out it was her lie that had brought trouble to his home and pack.
One of the men pulled Gee’s bat victim to his feet. The man groaned and rubbed his head.
“Let’s go,” Diego said and shoved Xio ahead of him.
Chapter Six