Page 15 of Sovereign Oaths

His jaw flexed. “I’m not sure. We haven’t dug that far in.”

Then it was better not knowing.

My phone vibrated, and we all stared at it like it was a bomb.

“You going to look?” Derek asked after nearly a minute of silence.

I didn’t move, didn’t answer. Cruz reached for it slowly as if giving me time to protest, but I didn’t. I wanted one of them to deal with this.

“He said, ‘Good. I’m glad you made it back safely. I miss you.’” His eyes lifted and locked on mine. “What do you want to say back?”

I blew out a breath.

“Tell him she misses him too,” Javi told him.

Cruz nodded and typed before setting the phone face down next to him. This time, we didn’t have to wait for a response.

“‘I’ll be back this evening. Can I see you?’” He didn’t look up, just waited.

“No. Tell him she’s still freaked out. She needs some space,” Marco instructed.

Cruz typed it out, then watched the screen.

“He understands. He has some things he wants to deal with. He’ll talk to you soon.”

“Don’t reply.” I waited for him to toss the phone onto the bed. “Let him wait and wonder.”

Cruz laughed. “Evil.”

I cocked a brow. “He had it coming.”

“He’s lucky you said anything to him,” Javi mumbled and typed on his phone. “I’m letting Rod know he’ll be back tonight. I have a feeling something’s going down.”

“What do you mean?” I squeezed Marco’s hand, grateful he hadn’t dropped it yet.

“He could stay in Mexico licking his wounds and plotting his revenge for days, but he’s already on his way back? He’s got a plan, and it’s time sensitive. It’s also big enough that he wants to be here for it.”

Derek closed his laptop. “Sounds impulsive, which means it’s either dangerous or stupid.”

“Probably both.” Cruz narrowed his eyes and was silent for a moment. “Or an easy target. Low-hanging fruit. Something to show Brazzi he didn’t win this round.”

“Well, shit. This sounds messy.” Marco ran his other hand through his hair. “Good thing we’re staying out of it.”

Javi chuckled. “I’m fairly certain that’s the first time you’ve ever said that.”

“I’m all for havoc, but these are two toddlers throwing sand in each other’s eyes on the playground. I prefer a more refined touch.”

I laughed. That was the perfect way to describe Alessio and Brazzi. Maybe if we waited long enough, they’d even kill each other for us.

Like Goldilocks, I tested all the beds and decided Marco’s was the best. It had something to do with his pillows and blankets. He achieved the perfect balance of cozy without being too warm for the Miami summer.

I waited there for the guys to finish updating the beta team so they could rest for the night.

A knock on the door made me jump. They rarely did that. None of them had issues with modesty or privacy.

“Yeah?” I called, and Javi stepped inside. “This is your room. You don’t have to knock.”

He came around to sit next to me with his back against the headboard. “If you wanted alone time, I was going to give that to you.”

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