Page 50 of Keeping Astrid

For a few seconds, Astrid blinked at him, and he wished that it was anything but a drug cartel chasing her. Cartels had a long reach and an even longer memory. Extracting oneself from their radar wasn’t an easy task, but Growler was going to do everything possible to make it happen.

“What does that mean for me? They’re never going to leave me alone. I’m a liability. Something they need to get rid of.” She jumped up from the couch and started to pace around the room. Growler wanted to pull her into his arms, but he left her to pace, knowing that she needed this, maybe more than she needed his embrace.

Nothing she said wasn’t what he’d been thinking about the whole drive home. Cartels didn’t like to leave loose stings hanging. Even if Astrid vowed never to say anything to anyone, it wouldn’t make a difference to them.

But he would make sure that they would forget everything about Astrid Conway. No matter what it took. He would find a way to make it happen so Astrid could live a life free of troubles from the Ramirez cartel.

“It means that things are a little more complicated, but we have a place to start now. You have all of Alliez working to protect you. Not to mention there are other people who want the cartel shut down.”

Growler couldn’t tell her that those other people were the United States Government and that his SEAL team had been sent to eliminate the head of the organization—a mission they’d failed at executing, but one he believed was still a priority to all who’d been involved.

“Why am I so important to them? All I saw was an argument. I walked away before I saw them pull the gun and shoot the man. Why can’t they leave me alone?”

Growler wished he had the answers. “That’s what we need to find out. But trust me, I will make sure you can live your life with no fear.”

Needing to hold her, he closed the distance between them and tugged her into his arms. This was his home. She was his home, and he would make it safe for her.

Pedro stood at the window in the expensive hotel room Javier was staying in, not seeing the city view or Hollywood sign outside. His focus was on the well-dressed man with slicked back black hair and a large gold watch adorning his left arm. He was seated on the couch as if he didn’t have a care in the world. As if he didn’t hold Pedro’s fate in his hands.

The fucker didn’t care about that. All Javier cared about was himself and his position in the cartel’s organization.

“Tell me again why we are bothering with this woman?”

Pedro clenched his hands until his nails dug into his palms. “Because, as you know,” he explained patiently. “Mr. Rook doesn’t like hanging threads.”

Javier lifted a shoulder negligently. “What exactly did she see?”

Why am I wasting my time on this asshole? He would know if he spoke to Mr. Rook.

“Please don’t play me for a fool. You know what she saw. Otherwise, why else would you be here?”

Javier stood and stalked over to where Pedro stood. If he thought his movements were threatening to Pedro, he could think again. Pedro hadn’t gotten to where he was without facing off—and defeating—people who thought they were more dangerous than they were.

Pedro lifted his chin, daring Javier to make his move.

“I know why I’m here. The thing is,” Javier said quietly and menacing, “we don’t want to draw attention to us. There is much we need to do here, and offing a celebrity chef isn’t one of them.”

Anger consumed Pedro. He didn’t believe for a minute that Mr. Rook didn’t want Astrid Conway silenced. Javier was playing a game, but what was it?

“I disagree.” Pedro stood his ground, knowing that Javier wouldn’t do anything to him here for the same reason Pedro wouldn’t do anything to Javier.

“There are things you aren’t privy to that I am. Now get out. I don’t want to see your face.”

Pedro stared down Javier. “When did all this change? Mr. Rook wanted her gone. Isn’t that why he sent you here?”

Javier laughed. “Why I’m here is of no concern to you.”

He turned his back on Pedro, effectively dismissing him. How he wanted to finish Javier right now. Prove to Mr. Rook that the man he thought invincible was and had been taken out by him—Pedro Gonzalez. However, he controlled it. The mess would be too much to clean up, and it was too much of a prominent place for him to off Javier.

Maybe he’d still get rid of Javier. After he disposed of Astrid Conway.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Today was the last day of filming for the current season, and Astrid was part relieved and part sad. Relieved that the crew and others who worked on the show weren’t in any danger from the person after her and sad because she wouldn’t see the people who’d been on this amazing journey with her for a few months. The show was contracted for another year, but show business was fickle, and anything could happen. The ratings for the upcoming series could tank, and the network could cancel her show. Anything was possible, and she never took it for granted.

“What are you going to wow us with today?” Basil asked as he came onto the set.

“As if you don’t already know,” Astrid said with a smile.

---