Page 68 of Allegiance

“Yes. You’ll need to go home, get your passport, and pack a bag. Here’s the money for the gig, and you can use it to buy some souvenirs for fashion week there.”

She smiled hugely.

“I can’t believe it.”

He smiled.

“Oh, believe it! You’re about to be famous. So, here’s the ticket. I hope you don’t mind flying out on a private jet. We like to treat our girls right, and when you come back, we’ll book you on your next job.”

“And my daily job?” she asked.

He played it up.

“Call them and quit. You’re going to be rich. Mind you, you’re the perfect weight, so skip the peanuts on the flight.”

She laughed.

This was the best day of her life.

She couldn’t believe it.

This had been a long shot, and she’d almost not come today. Now, she was damn glad she did.

Her life was about to change.

“Yes, Sir!” she said, taking the envelope.

Inside, was fifteen thousand dollars.

She nearly fainted.

Cruz watched, knowing that was small potatoes. For what she cost, they’d recoup that big-time.

“You won’t regret this, Mr. Santiago!” she said, grabbing her purse and racing out.

Oh, he wouldn’t.

But he was betting she would, as soon as she landed, was taken to some man’s house, and lived what was left of her life as a sex slave.

That he’d bet on.

Chapter Five

The Courtyard

New Orleans

Friday Morning

A fter they patched him up, cleaned off the blood, and got the skin off of Elizabeth’s ring that had been from Dakota’s face, they shoved his ass outside to cool down. Mostly, because Rogue was not a happy man.

It was best to keep them separated or there was more bloodshed coming, and no one needed that.

When he sat at the little iron café table, he rested his face on his arms and thought about what had just gone down inside.

And he was ashamed.

That was not the man he was.

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