"He said he'd kill you. Kill your family. Kill anyone I told." Novalee's voice broke. "I was trying to protect you."
"By lying to me for a month?" Pain flashed across his face. "By letting me think you were just—"
"We don't have time for this," Carmen interrupted. "You want to be angry? Be angry in the car. Right now, pack."
James stared at Novalee for a long moment, then turned and walked to the bedroom.
Carmen watched him go, then looked at Novalee. "He'll either forgive you or he won't. But at least he'll be alive to make that choice."
"Why are you helping us?" Novalee asked. "Greysen said it was to f**k with Dante, but—"
"It is." Carmen didn't sugarcoat it. "Dante's been pushing into our territory for months. Taking our businesses, turning our people. Mr. Chen wants to send a mes
