Page 39 of One Rule

Ligo is quick to slide the keycard across the panel of the elevator, opening the private lift that only she and I have access to unless it’s an emergency.

I’ve upped security to four guards who for the time being live and secure this high-rise at all times. They alternate shifts while occupying the entire floor beneath us. They are never seen but always there.

But more importantly, there are only two units on this level:

She lives in one. I watch her from the other.

“Boss,” Ligo says, his head bowed as I pass and enter. “Everything’s ready for her ride to the university and then office. We’ll keep her safe.”

“You better. Not a hair out of place.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll keep you updated.”

I give him a nod in response and head down and straight into my parking space near the elevator bank. Isaac is already there and my car is on, leaving me to slip inside the back while he remains behind the wheel.

Traffic is a little busy as we head toward I-75, the early morning commuters all racing toward their jobs and schools, but I ignore the world as leave Miami. I’m worried about Liliana. What the hell her family has been up to, but then I wonder if she knows.

Has she been keeping secrets?

And I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss Lionel’s phone call when I’m an hour away. He rings and then cuts off before I pick up, only two rings again.

“I’m on my way. Be there in—”

“I won’t be there, Micah,” he says in a rush, and I hear yelling behind him. There are also what sounds like tires screeching. “Please take care of them. Don’t let him harm them.”

“Him? Rodolfo?” It cuts in and out, he’s speaking but I can barely make out the wordshurtandgunsbefore the first shot is heard. “Lionel, where the fuck are you? What the hell is going on?”

“I’ve always approved of you and my sister. I know that she’s safe with you and no one will treat her better.” There’s shouting, someone who sounds like Joaquin screaming to drive faster in Spanish. “Tell her we’re so proud of her. Love them both.”

He’s saying goodbye and my heart clenches. Sadness and anger overtake my senses and the plastic in my hand groans. The tight grip on my phone cracks the area on both sides of the screen and the last thing I want to do is lose connection if this shit breaks.

I toss it aside and press the speaker button, meeting Isaac’s eyes through the rearview mirror.

“You’ll tell them yourself.” My voice is thick with emotions I can’t bottle up. “Where are you? I’ll come—”

“They have help, Micah. Intercepted us on our way to you and…son of a bitch!” he yells out, pure panic coming through his tone a second before there are more gunshots. Glass breaks on his end, then there’s more yelling before I hear the unmistakable sound of an explosion rings through the line.

A line that disconnects a second later, but his last plea rings through my ear...

Save them.

Chapter14

Liliana

Something’s off.

I can sense it all around me.

It’s this cloying and uncomfortable feeling and my skin itches, but outwardly, I remain calm.

No one is saying much, but the expression on many of the security personnel in Micah’s building causes a shiver to run down my spine. Not the good kind either. It’s a choking matter—almost suffocating—but I don’t know anyone here on a personal level to feel comfortable enough to ask.

Then, there’s the fact Ligo is driving me again today as he did yesterday and the day before, but somehow, right now it’s different. Maybe I’m seeing things; like the tight set of his jaw and the white-knuckle grip, he has on the steering wheel.

My car’s been parked in the underground lot, collecting dust while decisions are being made for me. Am I upset about it? Yes and no.

Had it been anyone else, I’d be kicking and screaming my way out of their plans, but not with Micah. This, for some reason, calms him. I don’t want to stress him more than he’s been the last few days.

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