Page 8 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

I’d heard the title before but had never given it much thought. Being the queen of something came with many disadvantages such as suddenly being threatened by an unknown source.

“Unfortunately, this is not a friendly call. It seems some of your people have been threatening me and one of my candidates.”

“That is simply impossible,cariño. I make it my business to know all the comings and goings of the big players in my region. There has been no such request on you or your clientele. If I had an issue with youSeñoraToussiant, I would give you the respect you have earned and come directly to you.”

“I appreciate that,SeñorSalazar. I, too, have a fondness for you and our mutual friends. However, a threat has been leviedagainst me and my client, Maia Fields. Her studio apartment was burglarized, trashed, and a frightening threat painted on her wall. I received a letter by courier on the same night with a similar threatening message. Some of my acquaintances have tracked the burglars back to individuals in your employ.”

“The name Maia Fields does sound familiar; let me check my books. Please do me the honor of holding a moment while I review my files.”

“Of course.Merci.”

“What’s going on?” Rhodes grumbled.

Christophe came to my side and looped an arm around my waist. “You okay,chérie?”

I nodded and quickly gave them an update of where I was at with my call. The three of them waited patiently as I sipped on my espresso.

A few minutes passed before Diego came back on the line.

“I apologize for keeping you. A request for my particular services was made on Maia Fields. The three members of my team that were assigned have not reported back and are presumed to have gone missing. Are you confirming at this time thatSeñoritaFields is under your protection?” The way he asked the question was smooth as silk, even though the situation was dire, an uncomfortable juxtaposition I didn’t prefer to work within.

“Oui. And she is also under the protection of the Las Vegas Hounds. Her studio is over the garage of one of their members.”

“¡Maldito infierno!” he cursed in Spanish, which I believed meant something akin tofucking hell. “That tells me what I need to know about my missing men. The Hounds are notorious for making people disappear.” Diego cleared his throat. “SeñoraToussaint, I would never have given the order had my client provided full intel on the target. Usually, I have my men spend a couple days looking into the mark. We did abackground check, which showed there was nothing of special interest, nor anything that would suggest she was one of yours or The Hounds. However, the request was a twenty-four-hour turnaround and for a high payout. I deeply apologize for this grievous error and will rectify the situation. Starting with owing you a marker.”

“Darling, I do not want a marker. I want the name of the individual who made the order. Lest you forget, I also received a threatening message at my hotel in Las Vegas on the same night.”

“That was not me, or anyone from my organization. I will pledge my life on it.” I believed him. There was no reason for a man like Diego Salazar to lie to me. But that also meant another person or group was involved.

“Then whomever ordered the target on Maia is playing both of us against one another, specifically targeting one of my girls who happens to be connected to the Las Vegas Hounds. Then couriering threats to my hotel. They could be attempting some type of a coup.”

“I’ll take care of it,” he hissed, and the sound was so terrifying I knew I didn’t want to push him too far.

“SeñorSalazar, I do appreciate your willingness to handle the situation, and I know you are very capable of such things. Nevertheless, I have an angry husband, a terrified candidate, her furious, wealthy fiancé, and the entire Las Vegas Hounds motorcycle club seeking retribution and confirmation that Maia and I are safe. I’m sure you can understand how volatile things are on our side. What would be most helpful,chéri, would be the name of the individual who made the request. Then I will be happily on my way, no marker owed, and be able to satisfy the needs of the powerful forces on my end.”

“Alana,” Diego breathed my first name with such fiery intent I had to put my hand over my rapidly beating heart as I paidclose attention. “This woman is connected to a very powerful individual. You do not want to be on that man’s radar. His network extends everywhere. His reach is unparalleled. He’s extremely dangerous.”

“Diego,” I pressed, showing the same intimacy he’d shown me, something we were new to having. “I’m already on his radar based on the threat I received.”

“Alana,” he barked in a rough tone that made me catch my breath. “Let. Me. Handle. This.” He enunciated each word on what could only be described as a growl.

“That is asking a lot,” I whispered, suddenly feeling cornered and rather uncertain.

Christophe tightened his hold around my waist, and I crossed my arm over my body and covered his hand with my own, needing that connection.

“Give me forty-eight hours to look into this and report back. I will send out a notification to all my contacts and staff that Alana Toussaint and Maia Fields are not to be touched, and to notify me immediately if anyone hears otherwise. If someone so much as disturbs a hair on your beautiful head,Madam, it will guarantee them a painful, drawn-out death. As of this moment, you and Ms. Fields have the full backing, resources, and protection of the West Coast Latin Mafia.”

“That is very generous of you,SeñorSalazar. I accept your request for more time and look forward to hearing from you in a couple days.Au revoir,” I agreed and hung up.

“What did he say?” Maia asked, her big brown eyes wide and full of fear.

“He is looking into the matter. Apparently, the person who made the request to harm you is so powerful and fearsome he doesn’t want any of us involved.”

“That’s bullshit!” Rhodes complained.

“I agree, Alana. It is your right to know who has a problem with you and Maia. I’m surprised Diego responded the way he did. I thought he held us in higher esteem,” Christophe said while plucking at his bottom lip thoughtfully.

“Honestly, Christo, I think that is why he didn’t share more. If this individual is as bad as he claimed, perhaps it’s best we allow him to figure out how to respond. In the meantime, we have been given his protection as well.”

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