Nina

Eight years later.

"Sir, I have some intel about the Black Smoke gang and-"

"What did I tell you about putting your nose where it doesn't belong, Agent Torres?" Chief Keef shot me a withering glare.

I stayed undeterred. "Sir, this time the information is good."

"Really?" He stopped and turned, one eyebrow arching. "Okay then, agent. Who's your source?"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is this is usable-something we can use to nail them once and for all. Those bastards keep slipping through our fingers."

He raised a hand to cut me off. "So what makes you think you can finally catch guys who've been evading our best agents for years? There's a reason nobody's put them away, Torres-there's no admissible evidence."

I scoffed. "Oh, come on, chief. We all know the Black Smoke gang are the worst scum."

He shrugged. "We all know it, yes. But common sense isn't what you bring to a courtroom. Rafael Santiago-the man suspected of leading them-presents to the world as a philanthropic billionaire. He's got dozens of businesses that may or may not be money-laundering fronts."

"Chief-" I started, but he'd already turned and continued down the hallway toward his office. Gritting my teeth, I sped up to catch him. "I don't even need the rest of the team. I just need your permission to check this intel. If it's a bust, I'll drop it. If it isn't-"

He halted, sighed, and spun to look me in the eye. "Agent Torres, you're a damn good agent."

Pride swelled. I'd kicked my own ass through college and the Academy to become an FBI agent. I'd pursued leads and paperwork and late nights-and for years I'd been trying to find Rosa.

Deep down I believed she was still out there, and that bastard Rafael Santiago knew where. If I could tie him to that night, I could save her.

"But you're too damn fixated on the Black Smoke gang," he finished. The words deflated me. "I don't know what this obsession is-"

"They're evil and notorious, and the longer we let them roam, the worse this city gets. If we want to-"

"Cleaning up the city isn't our job." He cut me off with a hard look. "Leave this alone. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong before you get hurt. Leave the Black Smoke gang to the big boys."

My fists clenched at my sides. By "big boys" he meant Richard Greer and Matthew Mullock-the two alpha agents who treated the job like a trophy hunt. They wanted glory and press releases; they didn't give a damn about the victims.

"It's been months since they had a lead," I protested.

He shrugged. "Why don't you hand your so-called intel to them? They'll check it out."

There was no way I'd trust those assholes with what I'd dug up through blood, sweat, and tears.

"But-"

"Enough, Torres." He snapped. "This discussion is over. And one more thing-if you disobey me and pursue this on your own, you'll be in big trouble. Understood?"

I forced a nod. "Understood, sir."

"Good. Now go get me my damn coffee from that nice place down the street." He turned to walk away, then glanced over his shoulder. "And the paperwork from the Colby case was supposed to be on my desk two days ago. If you don't want this job, Torres, I know a hundred people eager to take your place."

"The file will be on your desk before the day ends, sir," I said.

"Don't fail me." His voice carried a warning. "And while you're at it-throw in some donuts with the coffee."

Damn it.

One year on the job and I was still stuck doing paperwork and coffee runs. If it weren't for capability, I was capable-but this was the reality of being a woman in a male-dominated field. I was treated like a secretary more than an agent, and I was sick of it.

I marched out and headed down the street for Chief Keef's coffee and donut. As I paid, my phone buzzed. The caller ID flashed. I answered.

"Hey."

"You know that cute lawyer from the other day? He thinks you're perfect and he's interested," Katy squealed into the phone.

"I'm not interested, Katy. I've told you a million times-I'm not dating right now." I sighed.

"But, Nina!" she whined. "You always say no. Don't you think he's cute?"

"I do-" My words trailed off as someone bumped into me. I nearly spilled the coffee. "Hey, watch it!"

"Are you even listening, Nina?" Katy snapped. "You never hang out, you never go on dates. All you do is work."

I rolled my eyes, tired of the same lecture. "Can we talk later?"

"No-we're talking now!" she insisted.

Across the road, a dark-haired man shook hands with another man and slid into a black Mercedes. I caught my breath when I realized who it was.

"You spend every waking moment digging into the Black Smoke gang and talking about-"

"Rafael Santiago," I muttered.

"Yeah, him," she hissed.

"No, I mean-he's right across the road." I blurted. "I have to go."

"Nina, don't do anything stupid. Do not confront the big, bad, deadly gang leader. Please tell me you're not that crazy."

I winced, ended the call, and climbed into a waiting cab. Maybe I was a little crazy. But I had to find Rosa. Time was running out.

"Where to, ma'am?" the driver asked.

"Follow that black Mercedes. Now."

Nina

My phone buzzed for what felt like the hundredth time since I'd hung up on Katy. I snatched it up and turned it off without a second thought-my eyes never leaving the black Mercedes ahead.

We'd been tailing the car for over half an hour when it finally slowed and pulled into the lot of a warehouse on the industrial edge of town.

"Shit." I ducked low as Rafael Santiago stepped out of the car. "Drive past a little."

The cab driver grumbled but obeyed. When he finally parked, I shoved a handful of hundred-dollar bills into his hand, wincing as I did. That money had been meant for groceries-but this was more important.

Steeling myself, I climbed out and followed Rafael into the warehouse, crouching low to stay out of sight. I slipped behind a stack of crates and peered through a narrow gap.

Rafael leaned lazily against a concrete pillar, his face half-turned away. Two men stood before him, fidgeting nervously.

"Let me get this straight," he drawled. "You blacked out, and when you came to, the packages were gone?"

The men exchanged panicked glances. "Boss, we-"

"Yes or no?" His voice sharpened, deceptively calm.

"Yes, boss," the first man stammered. "But we can find them. They couldn't have left the city yet-"

"They've had six hours to disappear, Tommaso." Rafael straightened, towering over them.

From my hiding place, I caught only his back-broad shoulders filling out a tailored suit that probably cost more than my rent for the year. What were they talking about? Drugs? Ammunition? Trafficked girls?

"I'm a businessman," Rafael said smoothly, "and I hate losing money. But what I hate even more is someone thinking they can screw me over. I'll choose to believe you-for now. But if I find out you lied..."

He didn't need to finish. The threat hung in the air like smoke.

A door creaked open behind me. I gasped and ducked lower, heart hammering as a new man entered from the side.

"Mr. Santiago, we found the package," he announced. "It's in a warehouse on the south side. They repainted the vehicles to throw us off."

"Good," Rafael murmured.

The group began to move deeper into the building. I waited, breath shallow, until their voices faded. My pulse was pounding with adrenaline. This was it-proof of something illegal, maybe even the break I'd been chasing for years.

If I could follow them and find this package, I might finally have something solid on Santiago.

Excitement surged through me as I crawled out from behind the crates-only to slam headfirst into something solid.

A startled shriek escaped me as I stumbled backward-but a strong arm shot out, looping around my waist and pulling me upright. My body collided with a wall of heat that smelled faintly of leather, spice, and sin.

"Looking for something, ma'am?"

That voice. Smooth. Mocking. Familiar.

I froze, eyes widening as I met Rafael Santiago's gaze-grey eyes glinting like cold steel.

"I-uh-was just-uh-" My mind scrambled for words that didn't exist.

I tore myself from his grip and cleared my throat. "I'm lost, actually."

"Lost?" His mouth curved into a slow, knowing smirk.

I'd always scoffed when people said he was dangerously handsome, but up close, I understood. His beauty wasn't soft-it was sharp. Magnetic. The kind that warned you it would hurt to touch him and made you want to anyway.

"Yes, lost," I repeated, glaring to hide my fluster.

"Is that why you followed me all the way from the city, Agent Torres?" He lifted something, and my heart dropped-it was my badge.

"Give me that!" I snapped, snatching it back.

He chuckled. "Doesn't the Chicago FBI have better things to do than tail an honest businessman?"

"Oh, please," I scoffed. "There's nothing honest about you."

"Now why would you say that?" His smirk deepened, amused.

"How did you even know I was following you?" I demanded. "And why let me?"

He tilted his head, watching me with predatory amusement. "I have to admit, Miss Torres, you're much more entertaining than the two bulldogs who usually trail me."

Richard and Matthew. Of course.

"Are you their replacement?" he asked, genuinely curious. "If so, the Bureau must be getting desperate."

Heat flared up my neck. I stepped closer. "I'm a damn good agent-better than those two asswipes. And no, I'm not their replacement."

"Ah." His eyes gleamed. "So this is a little off-the-books investigation, then? I wonder what your boss would say."

I froze. "Are you threatening me?"

"Why would an honest man do that?" he said silkily.

The smug bastard was taunting me. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face-preferably with my fist.

"I know you're a criminal," I hissed. "And one day, I'll find the evidence to prove it. Until then, enjoy your empire of lies."

"How cute," he murmured. "Have dinner with me. You can tell me all about how you plan to destroy me."

My eyes widened. "You think I'm stupid enough to fall for that?"

"Fall for what? Dinner?" His eyebrow arched, wickedly amused.

God, he was infuriating. And worse-he was enjoying this.

"I'm not one of your groupies, Santiago," I snapped. "If it were up to me, the only meal you'd get would be prison food."

He smiled. "How about lunch, then?"

"Go to hell."

"Are you always this charming? No wonder you're single."

I staggered back, spluttering. "Who-who says I'm- you know what, it's none of your business!" I snapped. "You know what? I don't have time for this. I have a date to get ready for."

I turned and stormed off, cheeks burning.

Why the hell had I said that?

Ugh.

Nina

"So anyway, after I win the case, I'm going to get promoted and start earning some real money," Bryan said.

I nodded, a polite smile plastered on my face. Lifting my glass, I hid a yawn behind it and silently prayed for a meteor to hit the restaurant. I'd rather be dead than listen to another one of my date's stories. He'd spent the entire evening talking about himself and hadn't asked me a single question.

I had never been this bored in my entire life.

Why the hell had I even agreed to this?

Oh, right-because I'd blurted out to a gang leader that I had a date and was too embarrassed not to follow through.

"There's this apartment on Eleventh," Bryan continued. "Pretty sweet place. I'll be able to afford the rent after my promotion. It's got a nice kitchen. Do you like to cook, Nina?"

"Nope."

"But you're Italian," he laughed. "That's impossible. Italians are known for their cuisine."

I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes. God, he was such an ass. I opened my mouth to tell him I had to leave, but just then, a tall figure strode into the restaurant. There was something familiar about the wide lines of his shoulders and-

The man turned. My breath caught in my throat.

What the hell was Santiago doing here?

A beautiful blonde was with him, gazing up at him like he'd hung the moon. I ducked my head quickly, heart racing. This couldn't possibly be a coincidence. Or was I just being conceited?

Just then, our waiter appeared, holding an expensive bottle of wine.

"We didn't order this," Bryan said.

"A gentleman asked me to send it over to the lady," the waiter replied.

I had a sinking feeling I knew who. That asshole. What was he playing at?

"Return it," I said flatly.

"Whoa, whoa," Bryan chuckled. "Let's not be hasty. It's probably some rich guy who thinks you're pretty. That's a ten-thousand-dollar bottle of wine, Nina. Rejecting it would be stupid."

I gaped at him. "Are you seriously going to drink it? It's insulting for someone to send a drink to a woman who's clearly on a date with another man."

He shrugged. "This is the twenty-first century, babe. Those old rules don't apply anymore."

Even the waiter looked disgusted as he obediently opened the wine and poured it. I glanced over my shoulder and met Rafael's gaze. From across the room, his mouth curved into a conspiratorial smile.

I considered flipping him off but got distracted by the buzz of my phone.

"Excuse me," I told Bryan, relieved to have an excuse to escape. "I need to take this-it's work."

"Sure, but be quick. This wine is really good, and I'd hate for you to miss out."

Rolling my eyes, I stepped out through the French doors to the balcony and answered the call.

"Agent Torres, where are you?" Chief Keef barked into the phone.

"I'm-"

"I don't care. Get your ass to the docks right now. There's a shootout going down, and the Black Smoke gang is involved. Their leader is here too. This is your chance to finally get the glory of catching them."

I didn't care about the glory. I only cared about finding Rosa-but I let him believe whatever he wanted. If he knew how personal this was for me, he'd never let me near the case.

"What do you mean their leader is there?" I asked, his words sinking in.

"Exactly what I said," he replied. "Richard got intel earlier that clears Rafael Santiago. The man's clean as a whistle apparently, just a businessman."

"That's impossible! We've been after him for years sir. He can't just suddenly turn out to be innocent."

"Agent Torres, you're testing my goddamn patience. Get to the docks, now. We've got a gang leader to catch." He hung up before I could respond.

No. Impossible. Rafael was their leader, I knew it in my bones.

So how could he be here while someone else played the part?

At once, it clicked. This was part of his plan to exonerate himself. He was using me as his alibi while he orchestrated a fake confrontation at the docks.

I'd be impressed if he wasn't a criminal.

Fuming, I marched back into the restaurant. Bryan said something, but I brushed past him, heading straight for Rafael's table. From the amusement in his eyes, he already knew why I was there.

"What game are you playing?" I hissed.

"Hey, who are you?" his date snapped, but we both ignored her.

"I'm not playing any game, Miss Torres," he said smoothly. "I just thought you'd enjoy the wine."

"This isn't about the damn wine and you know it." I slapped my palm on the table, rattling the plates.

"Oh? Then what's it about?" he smiled.

"You're not going to fool me, Santiago. Your little distraction trick won't work. You might push the attention off you for now, but eventually, we'll find evidence and toss you into the deepest, darkest cell we can find."

"How very morbid," he drawled. "And here I thought the wine would help you release all that pent-up aggression."

He raised his glass and took a slow sip.

My eyes narrowed. "I don't have pent up aggression! And stop trying to change the topic."

"What was the topic again? Remind me." 

I hated him so much. I couldn't wait to finally see him behind bars. Shooting him one last scowl, I spun on my heel and stormed out, leaving Bryan behind. He could enjoy the wine without me.

Someone bumped into me as I stepped onto the curb. "Hey, watch-"

I gasped as pain exploded in my stomach.

"You shouldn't have put your nose where it doesn't belong, bitch," the hooded man hissed before disappearing into the empty street.

I pressed a trembling hand to the knife buried in my stomach, my knees giving way. I fell to the ground, fighting to keep my eyes open as tears blurred my vision.

The last thought I had before everything went dark was that I'd failed to save my sister.