“I could kill you for saying that,” said Caleb.
“You could. Then you’d never know the truth,” Felipe countered. He sighed, and waited for Caleb to reply, when he didn’t, Felipe said, “I’ve waited a long time for you to come forward to me with your past. I’d hoped we could be friends.”
Caleb stared across the bar at Felipe, stunned, “You know my past? Wait…no. You heard me on the camera.” He glared at Felipe with murderous intent.
“I know you were in Tehran. You never said that, on camera,” Felipe said.
Caleb’s vision was blurry and his heart was racing, “Rafiq could have told you. You could have overheard our conversations.”
Felipe became gravely serious, “Collateral, Caleb. Tell me a secret. One you’ve never told anyone and could cost you your life.”
“Why the fuck would I, Felipe? You’re not making any goddamn sense,” Caleb growled. The world shifted beneath his feet, or so he thought.
“What I could tell you would change everything you have ever believed and I need to know you can be trusted to do the right thing,” Felipe said ominously.
Caleb didn’t want to know. Whatever Felipe had to say, wasn’t going to be good, but he had to know. It was Eve and the apple all over again. Knowledge was the forbidden fruit and once tasted, it could damn ones soul, but it was in mankind’s nature to bite. “Felipe,” Caleb choked out, as anger came to the surface. His body shook and his skin burned.
“A secret, Caleb,” Felipe whispered and leaned forward.
There was nothing left to lose, except the girl, “I can’t.”
Felipe shook his head, “Then I can’t help you. Goodnight, Caleb.” He turned to walk away and Caleb grabbed his shoulder.
“Tell me,” he growled.
“You first,” Felipe gripped Caleb’s hand and flung it off his shoulder.
“I…assure me the girl will be safe,” Caleb said and it felt like yet another betrayal. The implications alone were a death sentence for him and Livvie. Of course, Felipe already knew what she meant to him.
“What would you do for the girl, Caleb? Would you die for her? Would you kill?” asked Felipe in a whisper. He looked around the room and Caleb did the same. They were alone.
Caleb’s heart thundered in his chest, “Yes.”
“Would you live? Could you live knowing your entire life has been a lie?”
Caleb was one second away from throttling Felipe and forcing him to talk. He still had his knife tucked into his pants and already, he was thinking of his plan of attack, “Tell me…now!”
Felipe sighed, “Follow me into the dungeon. I’ll tell you everything, but you won’t like it.”
“Where’s Kitten?”
“Upstairs and unharmed. If you care for her as much as I believe you do, I would suggest you keep your wits intact. If all goes as I hope it will, the both of you can leave this place together and never return.” Felipe said.
“Why? Why now? All this time and you’ve never dangled information in front of me,” Caleb said through gritted teeth. Felipe wanted Caleb to do something. It meant he couldn’t be trusted. Caleb’s mind was already churning with ideas on how to get rid of him. Still, Caleb wanted to hear what Felipe had to say. Perhaps he could use it to sway Rafiq.
“I’m a business man, Caleb. One does not achieve my level of success without first being able to spot an opportunity. Twenty years ago, I saw an opportunity to stop being a lieutenant and become a general. Rafiq was useful then. Six years ago I saw an opportunity to expand my business by eliminating my competition. I own half of Mexico now and do business around the world. Rafiq has become…less useful, and as I said, he insists on a lot – too much. You provide me an opportunity, Caleb. In exchange, I can give you the truth about whom you are and where you come from.”
“Admitting you want Rafiq out of your way doesn’t give me a reason to trust you,” Caleb said in hushed tones. “Why would you need me to do your dirty work?”
“Appearances, Caleb; they’re everything. I’ve had plans to get rid of Rafiq cleanly, without inciting the loyalty of our mutual friends. However, I’ve been watching you…and the girl. I know what love can do to a man and I know how desperate you are.”
“Fuck you! I’m not desperate!”