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"Tommy," Albin said softly That’s all he said Just the naht pulse of his power, could hear the threat beneath the bland voice

Blowing a long, rancid breath into her face that nearly triggered her gag reflex, Torily, Cyn knew her best chance of an easy escape had just storhton," Albin purred Her heart juainst her ribs "Someone wants to talk to you"

"Look," she said breathlessly, desperately pretending she had no idea who he was "I didn’t knohat this place was Not that I care It’s your business Let "

"Very a" Albin’s voice was hard as he yanked her down the hall, shoving her ahead of him and into a rooling to stay on her feet The heavy weight of the gun in her pocket slammed into her hip, and Cyn could only hope she’d have a chance to use it

"Chica!"

She straightened in shock Benita lounged on a king-sized bed, her shoes kicked off onto the floor, one strap of the tight, red dress, hanging down her ar the brown areola of a plump breast to curve above the fabric And she wasn’t alone Stretched out next to her, one heavy arm draped around her shoulders, was another vaht, black hair, the vas fully displayed

"Benita?" she whispered

Benita laughed too loudly, waving a dismissive hand at Cyn’s obvious shock "Don’t look so surprised, girl Like you haven’t shared a little blood in your day All those gorgeous va around Malibu? You’d be crazy not to"

"No," Cyn said, finding it hard to breathe "No, I never did"

Benita gave her an angry look "Always so much better than the rest of us, aren’t you? You alere, with your Daddy’s et you out of this one I was telling my friend here about your client You know, the one with the kidnapped girl? He’s very interested"

"I never said it was a girl," Cyn said softly, a sick feeling in her stomach

Benita looked at her, confused "What? Sure you did You said they kidnapped his girlfriend or so"

"No, Benita I never did" She shook off Albin’s hand and stood straight "How long, Beni? A couple of months? Is that why you switched to the Russians, or did it happen afterward?" she asked bitterly "Any cops die yet, Officer Carballo?"

"Hijo de tu putaaway fro across the bed toward Cynthia "I don’t have the o off and be a fancy private dick I had to stay andwhore! At least this way I’ who I want to instead of some slimy tattooed pendejo ants a five dollar blow job in the backseat"

The Latino va in her ear as he slid one long-fingered hand up her thigh and between her legs Benitainto his neck Over her head, the valy at Cyn

She turned her face away, disgusted, devastated by her friend’s betrayal