“Let’s get this over with,” Johnny said.

We headed toward his car, and I slipped into the passenger seat. There’d been a reason I’d chosen him first out of all our informants. Johnny had been the best. If it wasn’t for his partner slipping up, he’d still be on the force. I didn’t suspect him of being the rat, but Benito wasn’t going to take my guess as a sure answer.

I directed him where to go. The further away we were from the city, the more the cold electrifying excitement tingled under the surface of my flesh. Johnny didn’t bother with small talk, and for that, I wouldn’t slice his throat and watch him bleed out. I could be merciful.

“Here,” I said.

We pulled up at one of the many abandoned buildings we owned under a few aliases. Johnny grunted and threw the car into park. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he made no move to get out.

Don’t be a runner.

“My family...”

“Depends on your answers.”

Johnny nodded and got out of the car. I followed suit, sucking in the stale air of the night. The stars sparkled in the sky, a sight that wasn't available in the city or even the suburbs. Too much light pollution.

I admired them for another second before walking behind Johnny. My phone vibrated, and I sent the confirmation to my men. They’d be there exactly in fifteen minutes. Having a set time over my head made all the tension bleed out of my body. There was something about being confined in an organized square of time. I wouldn’t go past or end it too quickly.

“Have a seat.” I pointed to the only chair in the room.

He looked around, and I knew his eyes caught on some of the men already there. They walked around quietly, staying out of my way.

“I never mentioned my deal,” Johnny started.

“I know.”

His shoulders sagged as he sat down on the metal chair. The hole in the ceiling was perfectly placed over his head. Moonlight shimmered down on him as if death was there to greet Johnny and welcome him to the afterlife.

“Doesn’t change that you were dismissed from the force.”

Johnny scuffed. “Dismissed? More like fired. They couldn’t stick anything heavy on me but allegations. I was a damn good cop.”

“If that was true, I wouldn’t be in front of you right now.”

Johnny’s fists balled up on his thighs, and he glanced away. It was the truth. Why was he acting as if what I’d said was so wrong?

“My partner confessed to overlooking a few cases.” Johnny shrugged.

His partner had already been dealt with. Arnold Keys died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

“Who’s looking into my family?”

Johnny shrugged. “All task forces were shut down after the fiasco two years ago. No one wants a blood bath. Too many innocents died with no justice.” The muscle in his jaw ticked as he averted his gaze from me.