Chapter 9

By the time Mateo and Lorenzo stumbled into the crumbling safehouse by the docks, dawn was already creeping over the city. The room smelled of rust and sea salt, broken windows letting in cold air.

Lorenzo dropped into a chair, rubbing his wrists where the rope had cut deep. “So this is your grand escape plan?” he muttered, his voice rough. “Run, hide, wait for Ricardo’s men to blow our brains out?”

Mateo ignored him. He stood by the window, scanning the streets, his gun in hand even though the clip was empty. His shoulders were tight, his face hard.

“We don’t stay long,” Mateo said flatly.

Lorenzo scoffed. “We don’t stay long,” he repeated mockingly. “That’s your master plan? Cruz, you just turned an entire firing squad against us. Ricardo’s going to hunt us like animals, and you’re standing there acting like you can outsmart him.”

Mateo’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t answer.

Lorenzo leaned forward, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. “You know what the funniest part is? He’ll forgiv