Page 86 of Forbidden Hearts

Regardless of Alex’s feelings for me, I can’t afford to lose her.

???

Some minutes later, I park under a large tree just outside the entrance to Jacob’s ranch. From what I can tell, the ranch isn’t too big. There is a two-story house in the middle of the property and a few smaller sheds on the side. But other than that, there doesn’t seem to be any security in place.

After inspecting the ranch from afar, I get in my car again and dial Santiago to ask him where he is.

“Right behind you,” he says.

Looking through the rearview mirror, I see his car pull up behind mine.

“Stay here,” I tell Isabella.

I get out and walk to Santiago.

“What’s the plan?” Santiago asks as he gets out of his car.

“We fight our way in and rescue Alex. Simple as that.”

“Simple, huh? Do you know if Jacob has any men in there?” Santiago asks, turning to the ranch.

“No clue. We’ll have to be careful.”

“We could be outnumbered,” he says. “We should get some men here. You still have plenty of friends inNuestra Casa. I’m sure Gustavo can help us, too.”

“There’s no time for that. It would take them forever to get here from Austin or San Antonio. We have to go in now.”

I’m getting anxious just talking to Santiago right now. I don’t want to imagine what Alex is going through at this very moment.

“Fuck,” he says. “And here I thought she was just another booty call.”

“She’s more than that,” I assure him. “Are you with me or not,hermano?”

“Fuck it,” he says. “I’m in.Por la familia.”

For the family.

I walk back to my car and tell Isabella that Santiago and I are going to the ranch to get Alex. “Stay put.”

She nods and looks over my shoulder at Santiago. Her face blushes when she sees him. Santiago has that effect on women her age. Alex gave me that same look when I first met her.

Alex. I need to get hernow.

Without wasting another minute, we hop into Santiago’s car and drive into Jacob’s property.

“Keep your eyes open,” I tell him as he parks his car a few feet from the house. If there is anybody in the house with Jacob, they should have seen the car by now…and are running to grab their weapons.

As we exit the car, two bikers brandishing the reaper logo appear at the door of the house. They step out onto the porch, one holding a shotgun and the other a pistol.

“Who the hell are you?” one of them asks.

“I’m here for Alex,” I say. “Hand her over, and I’ll consider letting you live.”

The taller of the two laughs a throaty laugh. “She’s Jacob’s girl. You’re not taking her anywhere.”

A lie. She’s not Jacob’s girl. She’smygirl.

“This is your last warning,” I say. “Step aside or die.”

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