Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Will you take Holly home? I need you to look after her for a bit for me.”
That was a surprise.
“I’m trusting you to keep her safe. I’ll be back for her.”
I took a sip of the drink.
“I realize you don’t know who I am, what I’m about, or whether I’m worthy of her. I’ll save you some time and tell you right now, I’m not worthy. But even with that said, she’s mine. This is just temporary. I’ll be back for her and then I’ll marry her.”
“What if she doesn’t want you back?”
“Then I take her.”
“What if I decide that isn’t gonna happen?”
“Then I do it anyway.”
“You got balls, man,” I laughed, without humor; this wasn’t funny.
“So do you. Here, in my house, after all you and your brother have done to my relatives. After all I’ve just done for you. Seems we’re both men with balls.”
He had a point.
I’d hoped to get here and find out this guy wasn’t what we’d heard he was. I’d hoped to get here and find out he was maybe a little bit like me and my brother, doing what we had to do.
Maybe he was. I couldn’t tell. He wasn’t about to reveal his true self to me. Why would he? He had all the power here.
“I trust, with what I know of you, with what I’ve seen, that her safety will be your priority.”
“Absolutely,” I said.
“She stays in your city, lives with you or someone in your family who can look after her. She’s guarded at all times in public. I’ll happily pay for security and any other expenses. If you need to take her out of your city, I want to approve it first. Zack will always be able to reach me and I’ll get you a secure number.”
“You don’t pay me for looking after my wife’s sister. I may have just met that girl half an hour ago, but she’s my family.”
He nodded. “So you’ll do this for me and then I’ll marry her and I’ll be your family, too.”
I didn’t know if I caught a trace of humor in his eyes. Maybe.
He kept talking. “This will give them time together. Perhaps it’ll help your wife heal from what she’s… endured. And it’ll give me time to get some things in order, knowing Holly is safe while I do this.”
“Fine. But I won’t promise that when you’re ready–”
“Dario, no offense, but please, let’s not muddy the waters here. You came for Holly. You’re leaving with her. I’m telling you I’ll be back for her. Consider this concession a gift. You’ll be doing me a favor by looking after her, but it is temporary.”
I studied his face and decided to keep my mouth shut. I’d get her outta here and figure the rest out later.
His eyes lit with a bit of amusement but a very small amount. He’d probably read me and left it at that.
“Why’d you help me take down Kruna?”
“They had to be stopped. Delgado, especially.”
“Is that because they take from your trade or because what they were doing was immoral?” I asked.
He snickered. “You gonna try to take my outfit down now? Rid the world of human trafficking? Please.” He rolled his eyes.
I regarded him studiously. I didn’t know what to make of this guy.
We left Mexico that night. We had planned to stay but with the twist of having Holly with us, we decided to go immediately. Mission accomplished, if only for now. I had gotten Holly for Angel.
When Romero and I stepped into the bedroom and saw them sitting on the bed together. Alessandro looked at her pointedly.
“Hi,” she greeted sweetly.
“You’re going with your sister,” Alessandro said.
Angel and Holly both jolted.
“What?” Holly went pale.
“For now. I’ll be back for you soon.”
“Soon? When?”
“When it’s time, mi pequeña flor.”
“Is this a punishment for what I did?” she asked, giving him big doe eyes.
“Go. Spend time with your sister. I’ll see you soon.”
“Let’s have them stay here, so I can spend time with Angie here. Can she stay here?” Holly looked at me.
“Not a good idea, Holly,” I said.
“I’m not going.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not.”
“Pack a small bag. I’ll have more of your things sent,” Romero said.
“Alessandro?” Tears started to flow down her face.
“Will you excuse us?” he asked. He took her hand and led her out of the room.
“She’s coming home with us?” Angel asked, astounded.
I nodded, “Yep.”
“Dare!” She was in awe.
We took her home and put her in the den for the night.
“I’m so worried about her,” Angel said. “What happened? How did it happen?”
“I know almost nothing. He asked us to take care of her for now but insists it’s temporary.”
“Do you think he’s really a good guy? Do you think he’s gonna clean things up before he comes for her? Get out of the skin trade?”