Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
We’re not alone here. I feel it. I sense it. Just because I didn’t see any cars doesn’t mean we’re the first to arrive. Enzo wouldn’t take a risk like that, I realize. He would also never tell me the specifics—he’d either decide I don’t need to know, or he would rather keep it quiet, so there’s no chance of me giving anything away. Regardless of the reason, I’m sure he wouldn’t risk my life or the baby’s showing up here without somebody to watch our backs.
“At least I know the answer to one question,” Elena mutters with a laugh. She cranes her neck to look over her shoulder at me. “I couldn’t figure out how you landed somebody like him.”
Enzo is either too surprised that she would say that, or he doesn’t figure I’ll do anything about it. Either way, I am able to walk up to her without either he or Prince trying to stop me. Forget being the bigger person. Forget holding myself back.
All I know is my fist makes contact with her face, and she falls back against the car. “Shit!” I squeal, grabbing my fist. I’m pretty sure I hurt myself worse than I hurt her. But damn, it felt good.
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Enzo pulls me away from her and puts himself between us. “What are you thinking? Why would you do that?”
“I’m sorry if I’m supposed to stand here and take that, but I can’t.”
“You want somebody punched, you tell me—or Prince, and we’ll do it for you. Got it?”
That’s the problem? That I did the punching myself? It’s almost enough to make me laugh, but the pain in my fist won’t allow for that. “Got it,” I grit out, shaking my hand. I won’t bother arguing since I doubt he’d understand, but there’s something about doing a job like that yourself. What’s between Elena and me is personal. It wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying to watch one of the men punch her for me, even if it meant sparing my fist.
Still, knowing I have backup is nice.
28
ENZO
The hair on the back of my neck rises at the sight of approaching headlights. Prince left our car’s headlights on, and they are the only thing currently illuminating this spot where we stand waiting. Though we’re standing outside, it feels like all the air has been sucked away. This is it. Everything hinges on this.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your mouth shut,” I warn Elena. “Unless you would rather be gagged.” She gives me a dirty look but doesn’t protest. Maybe a few brain cells are rattling around in that head.
Alicia stands behind the open driver’s side door, which I hope shields her if things get out of hand. I’m going to do my best to see to it that isn’t the case, but I can’t speak for Alvarez and his crew. “If anything happens,” I murmur, “I want you to get behind the wheel, and I want you to leave. Do not hesitate. Don’t worry about me. You are to leave immediately. Do you understand?”
In the light from the car’s interior, I see her frown and can almost hear the arguments she wants to make. Yet instead of voicing her complaints, she merely nods. Once again, I have to admire the way she’s bearing up under this. I had not intended to put her through this sort of strain, especially in her condition and especially so early in our union. The wife of a cartel boss has to be prepared for anything, but normally we can shield our women from the worst of it. She’s been granted no such protection thus far, yet it seems she has a backbone of steel. I can’t help but wonder if fate knew what it was doing when it stepped in and placed her in my path.
Now’s not the time for fantasies. I step away from her, and Prince takes his place by her side. I have no doubt he will guard her with his life—and if he doesn’t, he’ll lose his life anyway because I will gladly kill him.
“Come on,” I murmur, taking Elena by the arm. “Behave yourself, and this will all be over soon.”
“Go to hell,” she mutters.
“Have you already forgotten that I promised to gag you? It doesn’t have to be as simple as that. Don’t make me hurt you.” She glares at me, eyes blazing, but holds her tongue. With my hand around her arm, she won’t be able to get away. And even if she tries, I would be a fool to open fire on her—that would only give Alvarez an excuse to do the same.
Several cars approach, rolling past us in a wide arc before swinging around and coming to a stop in front of where I stand with Elena. I raise a hand to shield my eyes from the glare of the headlights, and two of the cars flip them off, making it easier to see. A handful of men emerge, guards by the looks at them, surveying the area before giving the signal for their boss to emerge.