Page 20 of Set Up By the Cartel

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, sweat beading on his upper lip. Smart man — he knew when he was beaten.

"O-okay,"he stammered, trying to shrink in on himself even as Javier held him firmly in place."I'll cooperate. Just don't hurt me, please..."

I tsked, shaking my head."Too little too late for pleading,"I chided, jerking the barrel of the pistol."You should've thought of that before threatening an innocent civilian."

With a curt nod to Javier, I stepped back and motioned for him to march the prisoner ahead of us down the road towardthe waiting patrol vehicle. Meanwhile, I collected the scattered evidence tying us to the cocaine shipment and stuffed it into the trunk of my truck.

No sense leaving anything incriminating lying around.

Once everything was secured, I turned to find Kael still standing frozen in place, lower lip trembling as tears streamed unchecked down his cheeks. My heart clenched at the sight, guilt twisting like a knife in my gut.

Crossing to him, I gathered him into my arms, tucking his face into the crook of my neck as I murmured soothing words of comfort. He clung to me, fingers fisting in the fabric of my shirt.

"I'm sorry,"I whispered, rocking him gently side-to-side."So very sorry you had to witness such ugliness tonight."

He shook his head, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze head-on. Even through the sheen of moisture clouding his vision, determination burned bright within those fathomless blue depths.

"I know it wasn't your fault,"he insisted."I know you were only protecting me."

My breath hitched at the absolution shining clear in his expression, wonder mingling with relief. After everything he'd just endured, he still trusted me. It humbled me beyond measure.

Cupping his hands in mine, I brought them to my lips, pressing reverent kisses to each palm in turn."I swear on my life again, I'll never let anyone harm you,"I vowed."No matter what I have to do."

Chapter 8

Kael

The drive back to Mateo's estate passed in relative silence save for the occasional soft sigh or rustle of clothing as we shifted positions. Exhaustion weighed like a massive boulder upon my shoulders, both physical and emotional, yet I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes lest I miss some vital clue regarding the man seated beside me.

Mateo kept one hand resting high up on my thigh, thumb tracing idle patterns over the sensitive skin while the other gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity. Tension radiated off him in palpable waves, muscles coiled tight beneath his tailored slacks.

Part of me wanted to reach out, to offer some word or gesture of comfort even though I barely understood the depth of emotions swirling between us. But another part remained wary, unsure whether any platitudes spoken now could truly bridge the chasm opened wide by recent events.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Mateo glanced over, green eyes glinting in the dim glow from the dashboard. Hisexpression softened for a short moment, calloused fingertips brushing lightly along my jawline this time.

"It will be alright,"he murmured, voice roughened by fatigue and something else I dared not name aloud."We're almost home."

Home. The word resonated deep within my chest, stirring up feelings I wasn't ready to examine too closely. This opulent manor may not have been where either of us originated, but we both couldn't imagine ourselves living anywhere else.

Nodding with tight lips, I leaned into his touch, accepting the small measure of solace offered. For now, it would have to suffice until we could unpack all that transpired fully later in private.

Upon crossing the threshold moments later, I expected Mateo to steer me directly upstairs toward the master suite without preamble. Instead, he surprised me by guiding me instead into the lavish living room, gesturing for me to take a seat on the plush sofa.

"Wait here,"he instructed, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before striding towards the bar tucked against one wall."I'll fix us drinks and then we can talk."

He said we were going to talk as if discussing the elephant in the room wouldn't dredge up painful memories best left buried for the time being. Still, I knew avoidance tactics wouldn't solve anything in the long run. If this relationship stood any chance of surviving, we needed to address the proverbial elephant head-on.

Settling onto the cushions with a weary groan, I accepted the tumbler of amber liquid pressed into my hand, sniffing cautiously at the pungent aroma wafting upwards. Whiskey, maybe? Whatever its composition, the burn as it slid down my throat promised welcome oblivion.

Mateo settled beside me, draping one arm across the back of the couch behind my shoulders. Up close like this, I could detect the faint tang of gunpowder clinging to his skin. My stomach churned at the reminder. I thought he wasn't going to do what he did, but he did. He'd changed his mind right at the last minute.

"You don't have to say anything,"he began, swirling the contents of his own glass."But I need you to understand why I did what I did earlier..."

And so he launched into an explanation, voice low and fervent as he recounted the strategic calculations leading to the officer's demise. How leaving witnesses alive posed unacceptable risks to Nightshade Wolves operations and those under their protection. How swift violence was often necessary to maintain control and deter future interference.

Through it all, I listened with the utmost attention, sipping steadily from my drink as I struggled to reconcile the ruthless cartel leader with the tender lover who held me close just hours prior. Was there no end to the darkness he inhabited?

When he finally fell silent, gaze boring into mine, I set aside my empty glass and reached for his hands, lacing our fingers together.

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