I followed Daniel’s line of sight to the jagged marks—permanent reminders of my past imprinted on my arms. Mostly along the insides where the skin was thinner, the pain deeper. The physical scars would always be there, but the invisible ones? They were the real burden.

“Is that what you plan to do to me if I don’t tell you what I know? What kind of good guys are you?”

“Who said we’re the good guys?” My voice came out calm and measured. Any trace of my Sicilian accent was buried beneath my mask. I took one step forward, the door closing behind me, and it had him breaking.

“Fine.” He’d rushed out the word as if it had been forced from his lungs. “I, uh . . . don’t know who’s running things. I’ve never met him in person.”

He lifted his head, a plea in his eyes to believe him.

“Try again.” I shoved one hand in my pocket, my voice flat. “You said, and I quote, ‘you have no idea who you’re messing with.’ That tells me you do have a name for us.”

Silence.

He was contemplative. Still fearful.

Good, just how I wanted him.

I lifted my chin to Hudson, a request to talk next.

“Let’s start with something easier and go from there.” Hudson stood in front of him, blade still in hand. “Who do you get your stash from? Where can we find him?”

A low hiss left Daniel’s mouth, and he rolled his lips inward, trying to suppress the truth I could easily drag out of him. “You going to press him for answers the way you are me?”

“A life for a life.” I accepted the knife from Hudson, swapping places with him. “What’s it going to be? Save yourself, or save the asshole who you’re selling drugs for?”

He squeezed his eyes shut, sweat rolling from his temples, streaking the dried blood on his face. His wrists tugged against the bindings.

“I just needed some extra cash,” he gritted out. “I wasn’t trying to hurt her.” His voice broke as he added, “He can’t find out I did that.”

“Did what? Find out you tried to steal from a woman?” Hudson pressed. “What, your gang have a moral code and you crossed the line?”

I exchanged a look with Hudson. Even he thought that was laughable.

Daniel’s shoulders hunched, his breath coming fast. “No one can know I told you anything.”

I leaned in slightly. “Then let’s make this simple. Where can we find your boss?”

He hesitated.

I wasn’t a total asshole. I could be amenable when necessary.