Page 77 of Down & Dirty: Reaper

Time to drop another hint so hopefully they’d drop him to the floor. “I don’t know much but what I do know is that they’re worried your family is trying to take over their drug market in Pittsburgh.”

Chen’s brow furrowed. “Why would we want that? We never had any interest in that market. We have our own.”

“You’ll have to ask them why they think that way.”

“I’m asking you.”

“If I had that answer, I’d give it to you.”

“Do you have a contact?”

Even though his brain was still a bit foggy, he recognized the fact that telling the Chens he had communication with the Russos might benefit him.

“I deal with a contact who pays me for the jobs.”

“Name?”

“Sal…ly.”

The man’s head jerked back. “Did you say Sally?”

“Yes.”

“Is this a woman?”

“It is.”

Chen glanced over his shoulder. “Get his cell phone.”

Okay, this could end up being really fucking smart or really fucking stupid. Basically it was giving him a fifty-fifty chance of living or dying.

Those really weren’t bad odds, all things considered.

“She’s under the contact that’s labeled ‘boss.’ But before you call, what do you want me to say?”

Chen ignored Reaper’s question, scrolled through his contacts, found the number, pressed it, and then held the phone up to Reaper’s face.

Vi’s voice came through the speaker. “Hey, what’s⁠—”

“Boss,” he quickly cut her off.

There was a pause.

“Boss, it’s Peter.”

More silence. Three heartbeats later, after Vi processed what was going on, she asked, “What’s the status of tonight’s job?”

Thank fuck the woman was smart. “Not good.”

Again, a slight hesitation before Vi asked, “Did you fail?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Are you injured?”

“I was ambushed, so I have a few slight injuries.”

Vi managed to mask the worry in her voice to make it sound like anger at his failure. “Where are you?”