Cat didn’t say anything, but again he felt a small shudder run through her body. “He isn’t one of them,” Eli was compelled to say. “His family is part of a cartel, but Elijah is not in that business. He isn’t a friend of Cordeau’s. You’re safe here.”

She didn’t speak. She didn’t look at any of them. Clearly she thought she’d perfected the art of disappearing into her surroundings by simply remaining silent and not looking at any of them. He knew better. She was a beautiful woman. She had lush curves and gleaming silk for hair. It was pulled back and clipped at the nape of her neck, but there it was messy, and sexy and impossible to ignore.

His cat snarled. Raked at his belly. “What’s the word on the street?”

He knew that’s what he’d been called to the fence for. Elijah had heard something and was passing on information.

“Cordeau’s pulled out all stops, called in all favors. He’s hunting, Eli. He’s pushing all the way to the lowest ranking member of his network from those on the streets to favors from other crime bosses. He’s even hitting up the cops on everyone’s payroll. I heard someone in your branch as well; he’s threatening everyone he knows to get information. There’s a hefty reward. I heard it was up around a million. People would kill their own mothers for that kind of money.”

Eli nodded. He’d expected nothing less from Cordeau. He would have done the same thing if he had the money and resources and he’d lost Cat to another man.

Another shudder went through Catarina’s body. He glanced down at her. Her face was utterly still. Frozen. She never once raised her eyes toward the three men. She looked almost as if she was in shock.

“Kitten?” He used a soft, gentle voice. Inquiring. She didn’t blink. Didn’t look at him. “Are you all right?”

She was terrified, and it had something to do with seeing Elijah Lospostos. Clearly she believed he was a friend of Cordeau’s.

“Baby, I’m telling you, Elijah is clean.”

“Not clean,” Elijah denied. His voice held the ring of truth. “I’m a Lospostos. My family goes way back in the crime industry. I’ve worked hard to get out, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have to do a few things that were illegal along the way. Cordeau was in bed with my uncle. My uncle killed my father. I’m no friend of Cordeau’s. You have nothing to fear from me, Catarina.”

Eli liked the way she was tight against him, almost under his shoulder, burrowing close, seeking his protection, but he didn’t like her being afraid. There was no way to salvage the situation, not there with Elijah so close.