Page 36 of Set Up By the Cartel

The traitorous advisor smirked, lowering his hands."Why, rescuing you from this predicament, of course."He gestured with his hand."Or hadn't you noticed?"

Confusion rippled through the assembled men. Rescue? More likely he was working with Mr. Novak against us all along. I knew he was.

"No more games,"I snapped, straining against my bonds."Tell us what you want."

Santiago tsked, shaking his head."So suspicious, little omega. I'm hurt."He turned his attention to Mr. Novak then, grin widening."As for what I want... Well, I've grown tired of playing second fiddle to Mateo's whims."

He began to circle the room like a shark scenting blood, each measured step bringing him closer to where I remained trapped.

"I've done everything for this cartel — bled, sacrificed, schemed. And for what?"Bitterness tinged his words."To becast aside when a pretty young thing catches Mateo's eye? I think not!" Wait, was he jealous of me? It couldn't be.

Mr. Novak's brow furrowed, but he kept his gun trained steadily on its target."So, it really is that simple?"

"Believe what you will,"Santiago shrugged."But the fact remains — Mateo has grown soft, distracted. The Nightshade Wolves need a strong hand at the helm, one willing to do whatever it takes to secure our future."

His gaze flicked to me."And that man is not your boyfriend."

Anger ignited in Mateo's eyes, a snarl tearing from his throat. In one fluid motion, he raised his weapon, finger tightening on the trigger. He might be making a mistake.

"Traitor!"He roared."After everything I've done for you!" I had never seen him so angry.

But before he could fire, Mr. Novak shoved me bodily away, putting me between them like a human shield. Santiago took advantage of the distraction, whipping out his pistol.

Chaos erupted as shots rang out, bullets ricocheting off the concrete. I threw myself to the side, trying to clear a path to safety. Pain lanced through my shoulder, hot and searing. I'd been hit!

Through the haze of agony, I glimpsed Mateo leaping over cover, bearing down on Santiago. The traitor swung with his stolen gun, buying himself precious seconds.

"Foolish boy!"He taunted, dodging another swipe."Did you really think it was going to be so easy to kill me?"

He lashed out with a wicked grin, catching Mateo across the jaw with the butt of his pistol. Blood spurted from Mateo's split lip, but he barely seemed to notice.

With a roar of fury, Mateo charged forward, grappling for control of the weapon. They crashed together in a tangle of limbs, struggling for dominance.

Mr. Novak used the diversion to slip away, vanishing into the shadows. I tried to call out a warning, but my throat closed up, choking on a groan of pain. We would have to get him later.

The two men rolled across the floor, trading blows with ruthless efficiency. Even wounded, they were evenly matched, neither able to gain a decisive advantage.

Desperation clawed at my insides as I watched from where I was. I had to do something! But what?

Santiago managed to reverse their positions, pinning Mateo beneath him. He raised his gun hand high, finger tightening on the trigger...

BANG!

A single shot rang out, punching a hole through Santiago's chest. His eyes widened in shock even as life fled his body in a rush. He slumped forward, collapsing across Mateo's torso.

I looked up to see Javier standing nearby, smoking gun still raised. He'd taken the shot. Saved us all.

My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold before me, scarcely daring to breathe. The sight of Javier's gunshot ripping through Santiago's flesh filled me with both relief and horror. I wished he had never betrayed us.

Mateo shoved the traitor's corpse aside, surging to his feet with a disgusted grunt. Spitting on the fallen body, he glared down at his former advisor with unmasked contempt.

"You deserved far worse than that, you snake,"he growled, voice dripping with loathing."I trusted you, believed in you. And this is how you repaid my faith?"

I ached to go to him, offer comfort in the wake of such profound betrayal. But my injuries held me fast, the bullet wound in my shoulder throbbing in time with my racing pulse.

Javier approached with cautious steps, his weapon still drawn as he scanned the room for any further threats. "Boss, we need to get moving. Novak won't stay gone for long." DuringSantiago's confrontation with my alpha, his men had dealt with Mr. Novak's crew. They were all dead.

You're right," Mateo agreed, shaking off his anger with visible effort.

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