Activated by Nova McBee

Author:Nova McBee [Nova McBee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nova McBee
Published: 2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

THE FIRST NIGHT I met Cesare, the Shanghai wharf had reeked of everything foul, but Cesare was the worst of all. Angry numbers oozed from his pores and tension fueled the air. He agreed to every wicked scheme King proposed without flinching, but never asked questions. I thought Cesare was a coward looking for fast cash, but looking at him tonight, it’s clearly not the case.

Cesare’s sharp brown eyes fix on me now with the same resolute gleam as the night we took down King at the Pratt. We’d had an intense conversation with the international police. In exchange for a plea deal, he’d give up his contacts and agreed to never again touch a life of crime. At the time, I believed him. Bai took him into custody and has been in charge of his case ever since. I’ll give him one chance to explain.

Cesare removes his gloves while my numbers attack him for information. His orange parka and rubber boots have snow on them, which means he was already outside when my father found him. In a bright orange expedition suit that’s puffed out like a marshmallow, he looks more like a sour grapefruit than the menacing crime boss I met in China. But it’s hard to care when the weather outside can kill you in less than a few minutes without the right clothes. A smile curls up on his chapped lips. I’ve never seen any form of joy on this man’s face before. It’s the first time this piece of slime reminds me of his son, Rafael.

I march up to him. “Cesare Di Susa,” I say without hiding my irritation, “you’re not where you’re supposed to be. Neither is your son.”

“An unfortunate hazard of my past,” Cesare says, tightening his lips. “Despite the unlucky circumstances, I’m glad to see you. I assume you got my son’s message?”

“Where is Rafael?” I demand as my mind calculates for any immediate danger or traps, like a cop searching for weapons, but I detect nothing but ill-wrought ideas brewing and bitter regret.

His eyes flit to Noble’s, then he huffs a regretful laugh. “Let’s sit by the fire,” he says nervously. “I’ll prepare some coffee. We’ll talk.”

“I don’t want coffee. I want answers,” I say, in his face now. “Your son asked me for help. And we had a deal—one that you broke. From what I can tell, you’re about to break it even more. I should call Bai right now.”

Cesare’s eyes narrow on mine. “If you call him now, Rafael’s blood and many others will be on your hands.”

The tension in the room is as thick as the darkness outside until my dad intervenes. “Hi, there. Piacere. You’re obviously Mila’s Italian friend’s father,” he says. “Let’s start over. I’m Jason Rivers.”

Cesare regains his calm, a gentleman taking over. “Si. I know who you are. Mila’s father. Famous businessman. Nailed for insider trading.” Cesare gives him a wink.

Dad clears his throat and gives me a sideways glance. “That’s right. Glad that’s out there.

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