dn't stop thinking about the cryptic conversation she'd had with the informant at t

rate on the same rules as the one she knew. In his world, alliances coul

DeLuca's disappearance, the more she

r a straight answer, and the more she poked ar

something bigger hiding just beneath the surface kept gnawing

adn't been in years, a place where the whispers were plentiful and the drinks were cheap. The Silver Moon was known for its low

d the low hum of conversation faded into a tense silence. A few pairs of eyes flicked her

between his fingers. His name was Tommy, a small-time hustler who'd once worked for Morett

o a grin when he saw her. "Well, well, if it isn't the fa

s scanning the room one last time before settlin

d by a flicker of caution.

he said, watching

s. "You're barking up the wrong tree, Monroe," he mu

y in this deep, Tommy. The question is, are you goi

the consequences. Finally, he let out a long sigh and leaned forw

er attention s

isappear. He crossed someone, Monroe. Someone who wasn't Moretti. At

o ran a shadowy empire of his own, one that dealt in human trafficking, extortion, and

t just working with Moretti. He was playing both sides. And

"So Marco wasn't

rying to carve out his own piece of the pie. But Santoro doesn't take kindly to anyo

more complicated than she'd imagined. It wasn't just about betrayal-it was about playing a dan

y asked, her voice

his: Santoro's not the type to leave loose ends. If Marco's still

co-and fast. But if Santoro was involved, that meant she was now caught in

you. But you need to be careful. Santoro's men? They don't play fair. And if you ke

do that, Tommy. Too many people depend on me

concern and resignation. "You're going to

e didn't have the luxur

r and desperation. Lily had little tim

on case. It was about survival. And the deeper she dug, the more it became

ginning to think she had no leads left. It was an encrypt

ant to find Marco. But if you do, do

"One of the f

tion. Whoever sent it was trying to protect her-but from what? What was so dangerous

r phone buzzed again. This time

calm, like he'd been waiting for her

st him. She knew that. But she also knew that if she didn't find Marco soon

she replied, trying to

atory. "Good. But remember, Monroe-you're not j

his words. She was no longer in cont

contin