Five. Million. Dollars.

My bitter heart clenches, my hate for him running so deep it consumes me. He has to pay. He ruined my life. He took my mother away from me. He doesn’t deserve to remain. If he dies, I’ll get that money. I’ll be able to give Penny a life without heartache. I’ll have something to breathe for again.

I press the letter to my chest. I feel nothing. No guilt. No agony. No pain. No emotion. It’s all gone. I’m completely numb. I reach down for my phone and I’m doing something before I even realize it. I’m dialing Jaylah, a girl I met when I was with Marcus. A girl who is connected to Mack, a member of the Jokers’ Wrath MC.

These people could give me the information I want. Information to allow me to do this clean, without any chance of backlash.

Information on a hitman.

A hitman to take out my husband.

~*~*~*~

“It’s been a long time, Katia,” Mack says, staring at me.

“I’m home,” I say cheerfully. It’s the most fake I’ve ever been in my life. “It’s been a rough time.”

“Marcus is beside himself looking for you.”

I flinch, but I hope he doesn’t notice. “I need time. I’ll talk to him when I’ve had the chance to process.”

He nods, studying me for a long, uncomfortable moment. “Jaylah will be back soon.”

“Right, thanks. How have things been?”

He shrugs. “Fine.”

“How’re the boys?”

He smiles now. I understand that. The love for a child. It’s the most powerful emotion there is. Mack and Jaylah have two kids, Diesel and Jack. They’re gorgeous boys. “They’re doin’ really well.”

I force a smile. “I’m glad. How are things in the club?”

He narrows his eyes. “Can’t talk about that.”

“Of course, sorry.”

We sit awkwardly for a moment, and then the door swings open and Jaylah enters. She smiles at me, and rushes forward, hugging me close. I hug her back, but once again I feel nothing. I want to feel something. I want to be happy, or sad, or even angry. But there’s nothing but emptiness.

“I’m so glad to see you. How are you?” she asks, flashing Mack a smile as he leaves.

“I’m doing okay.”

“I’m so sorry about your mom,” she whispers.

I nod, staring at the wall for a moment. “I have a question. It’s a rather odd question but . . .”

She sits beside me. “What is it?”

“I was wondering . . .” God, how am I going to put this? “If Mack or one of the club members would have information about”—I swallow—“hiring a hitman.”

Jaylah gasps. “Katia, why would you need to know? God, is it for Marcus?”

“Of course not,” I cry, actually sounding offended by that. “It’s . . . I have an old ex.” God, I’m a liar. “He’s dangerous, Jaylah. Really dangerous. The reason we broke up was because he, well, he tried to beat me. Recently, he’s been back in my life and he won’t leave. I’m afraid of what he’ll do to me if he gets too close.”

“So tell Marcus.”

“I can’t do that,” I whisper. “Right now, I can’t face him.”

“Katia, you don’t want to be messing around with hitmen. It’s dangerous.”

She’s not going to break.

God damn it.

“You’re right,” I say, standing. “I’m so sorry. It was a stupid question.”

She studies me. “Did you want me to talk to Mack, see if he can help with this ex?”

“Sure,” I mutter.

Let him help with the non-existent ex.

“Katia, are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod, forcing another smile. She can see right through me. I need to get out of here. “I have to get going. Thanks for your help.”

I rush out before she has the chance to speak again. Damn it. I’m going to have to go deeper. Right into the bowels of the criminal world. I hurry to my car, avoiding the suspicious stares of Maddox, Mack and Krypt. I speed off.

Back to square one.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MARCUS

My hands tremble with rage as I listen to Mack.

“She asked Jaylah about a hitman?”

“Yeah, bro,” he mutters. “Not sure what it was all about. She swore she had an ex who was bothering her.”

“Yeah,” I growl. “That ex would be me.”

“Said it wasn’t,” he says, though I can tell he doesn’t believe it. “Said it was for an old ex.”

“She’s lying, Mack. You and I both know she has enough reason to want to take me out.”

“This is Katia we’re talking about.” He sighs. “Why the fuck would she want to hurt you? She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Have you ever had someone in your life you couldn’t breathe without?”

Mack sighs deeply. “Yeah.”

“Her mom was that someone. She was the only reason Katia fought so hard. I held her back. If I didn’t stop her at that airport . . .”

“She still might not have made it in time,” he cuts me off. “Fuck, dude, you can’t blame yourself. It’s not like you knew.”

“Tell her that.”

“I’m looking into it further, going to find out as much as I can. Until then . . . stay safe.”