Play Dirty (Wages of Sin #2) - Neve Wilder Page 0,26

stomach lurching at the sight below. “More captives. Only one of the containers is open, but there’s a good chance all of them are filled with people. DiMarco is definitely trafficking humans. I wonder how long he’s been in business?”

“Well, shit,” Madi grunted.

Az continued to snap pictures, doing his best to photograph entry points and any obstacles that might block them. To his left, a door opened and closed, causing him to freeze. “I’ve got company,” he whispered, his heart knocking offbeat as adrenaline flooded his system.

“Yeah, I’ve got eyes on him. Seems to be having a smoke.”

Az peeked around the concrete base that held the window in place, taking in the skinny kid with dark hair and a gun slung over his shoulder. Az didn’t have any choice but to wait for the kid to go inside. There was no way to get back to the ladder without passing right behind him.

“I have a clear shot.”

“No,” Az whispered. “If we kill him, they’ll know somebody is onto their operation.”

“Five minutes and then I’m putting a bullet between his eyes and you’re gonna haul ass back to the fence.”

“So much for your sniper patience,” Az purred.

“I just really want to kill somebody right now.” Madigan sounded both restless and irritable.

Az laughed softly, peering once more around the corner to the man, watching him flick the cherry off his cigarette before throwing it to the ground and stomping it with his boot. As soon as the door slammed home, Az dashed for the opposite side of the roof, staying low, and paused at the top of the ladder. “I need your eyes, motek.”

“On it.” Madigan’s boots crunched through leaves and other vegetation as he moved back to their original vantage point. For a moment, there was only the sound of Madi’s soft breathing in Az’s ear. “Ready?”

“Born ready,” Az snarked. He could almost hear Madi’s eyes roll.

“Go. Now.”

Az vaulted over the ladder, climbing until he reached the halfway point, then dropping to the ground and booking it back to the fence, rolling through the opening before Madi let it fall back into place just as the cameras panned back around.

Az fell back onto the ground, breathing heavy. Madi’s hand appeared before him, and he grabbed it, letting the other man pull him to his feet. “I definitely need a shower before we hit the club,” Az said, grimacing as he looked down at the dirt and grime covering his clothes. Madi’s clothes weren’t any better. “So do you.”

“Why? It’s not like we’re going there to have a good time.”

“You do know that we can work and play at the same time, right? Not everything has to be a mission. I would think you of all people know that. I know of your reputation.”

Madi still held his hand, squeezing tight enough for Az’s bones to rub together. “My reputation?”

Az grunted in pain but smiled. “Mm, you have quite the sexual appetites, if the rumors are to be believed.”

Madi let him go abruptly, turning and heading back to where they’d parked the dark sedan they’d rented.

Az shook his head. “You don’t have to pout. I admire your appetites. They’re much like my own.”

Az had no idea why he was bringing up Madi’s past lovers, except that he was still bruised from Madi’s casual mention of fucking somebody the night before he’d arrived. Az wasn’t sure why it stung. They were hardly exclusive. They weren’t anything at all, but the truth was, Az hadn’t wanted anybody other than Madi for quite some time. Az told himself it was time and proximity. He was far too busy with work to look for a temporary bed-warmer. Madi clearly thought it was worth it to make the time. Maybe Az should, too.

Madi snatched the keys from Az and stomped his way to the driver’s side, getting in and turning over the engine. Az had no choice but to get in on the passenger side or get left behind. Madi remained silent the rest of the ride home, leaving Az to stare out the window. He had no idea how to bridge this stupid gap between them, but maybe that was for the best.

Weekend was more than a club; it was a huge LGBT hotspot with blue lasers sweeping a near black dance floor and a DJ in a neon-embellished facemask playing music loud enough to make Az wish he’d brought earplugs. He didn’t think it was a coincidence Ryan wanted to meet there. He clearly thought Az