Page 50 of Mex

“I’d say I’m flattered, but I’m not. Do we have a deal?”

“I do not make deals.”

“Fine,” I grind out. “Then do I have permission to give them something that will lead them toward Ivan and not you?”

A sharp nod.

The go ahead.

“Wonderful,” I mutter.

I turn, walking past him to the door, thinking our meeting is over.

I should know by now that with Marek, there isalwayssomething more.

“You did not think I would have accepted a meeting with yousimplyto discuss an errant biker club, now did you, Acacia?”

I pause and suck my breath into my lungs as my skin prickles. The tone of his voice has everything inside me tensing.

I don’t like it.

I don’t trust it.

I don’t turn.

I feel him approach; the air thickens, and his presence is strong behind me as he leans in close to my ear and murmurs, “I know your mother didn’t call me. I know you’re lying. I know you have done something.”

No.

I thought I had pulled that phone call off.

I thought he believed me.

I should have known better.

Marek cannot be manipulated.

It is a mistake I know I’m about to pay for.

“I don’t know where she is,” I whisper. “I swear to you, Marek. I was just trying to buy some more time.”

“You’re a liar,” he snarls. “You know what I do to liars, girl.”

My bottom lip trembles with pure fear.

“I’m not lying,” I keep my voice steady. “I don’t know where she is.”

“We shall see.”

No.

No.

Bringing his fingers to his lips, he whistles.

It’s a whistle that I’ve heard before, a whistle that I know means pain and anguish. Within seconds, the door opens and two of his men appear at the base of the RV.

“Take her to the cage.”