Page 9 of Set Up By the Cartel

Despair crashed over me like a tidal wave, dragging me under suffocating darkness. I thrashed wildly, desperate for purchase even as the water filled my lungs and my vision began to dim.

Just as I teetered on the brink of oblivion, a strong arm wrapped around my middle hauling me towards the surface. I should be feeling grateful, but I wasn't. I had a bad feeling about what was happening.

Gasping and sputtering, I broke free of the icy depths to find myself cradled against a broad chest clad in black leather.

"You can't leave me yet,"a familiar baritone murmured against my ear, sending shivers down my spine despite everything."You know that there is a lot to happen between us and that you can't escape it. No matter how much you try, how hard you try — you will always end up with me."

I knew without looking that it was Mateo holding me close, his scent enveloping me like a second skin. Somewhere deep inside, a tiny part of me thrilled at being rescued by him, even though my rational side screamed about the danger!

When I awoke the next morning, heart pounding and sheets tangled around my sweat-dampened body, I lay motionless for several minutes trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease clinging to me like a shroud. But it didn't want to go. It wanted to stay with me.

Was it only a nightmare born of stress and sleep deprivation? Or perhaps something more... prophetic?

No, I told myself with extreme conviction, sitting up abruptly. Enough of these superstitious notions! There was no such thing as fate or destiny beyond what each individual made of their own lives through hard work and determination.

I already had enough going on in my life. I didn’t need this added to the pile.

And yet... the memory of those intense green eyes boring into mine from across the alleyway persisted, refusing to be dismissed. What if Mateo wasn't just some random alpha fixated on conquest but rather someone meant to play a significant role in shaping my future?

But no, that couldn't be. It couldn't be what was really going on. It didn't make any sense.

And before I could delve deeper into that disturbing line of thought, however, my phone buzzed insistently from its charger on the nightstand. Glancing at the screen, I saw an unfamiliar number flashing across the display. Curiosity piqued, I swiped to answer.

"Hello?"

"Kael Morales?"A gruff male voice inquired without preamble. My blood ran cold at the sound of it. I'd recognize that timbre anywhere. It was him. I knew it was. He didn't even have to say his name.

"It's me,"I confirmed, suddenly very awake."Who's asking?" I shouldn’t have asked that. I should’ve just hung up on him.

A low chuckle echoed through the receiver, sending goosebumps racing along my flesh."Your new boss, that's who. We need to talk about your recent performance review..."

My stomach dropped straight through the floor. Performance review? What the fuck was he talking about now?

"I'm listening,"I managed to choke out past the sudden lump lodged in my throat. This had to be a misunderstanding, for sure. I'd been doing my job just fine!

"Good boy,"Mateo purred, tone shifting gears seamlessly into one of dark promise."Meet me at Club Nocturne tonight after closing. Don't keep me waiting."

The way this was going, I couldn’t even believe he was my new boss. It didn’t make sense. Would he really go that far just to get under my skin? I knew he was reckless, but not that reckless.

With that cryptic command delivered, the line went dead, leaving me gaping at the device in my hand. What fresh hell was this? Was he serious? Somehow, I was beginning to think that he was.

For a moment, I considered ignoring the summons altogether and continuing on as usual. But something told me that ignoring the issue further wouldn't end well for either of us. Better to confront this head-on and put an end to whatever game he thought we were playing once and for all.

Fine then, let's dance Mr. Big Shot Alpha,I thought grimly, tossing the phone aside and throwing back the covers.You want to play hardball? Let's see how long you last...

The rest of the day passed in a blur of restless anticipation punctuated by bouts of self-doubt and growing trepidation. By the time evening rolled around, I felt like a tightly coiled spring ready to snap at any provocation. It took every ounce of energy I had not to take my frustration out on a coworker.

As soon as the final customer cleared out and Lila flipped the Open sign to Closed, I grabbed my things and headed for the exit without bothering with pleasantries. I had bigger fish to fry than shooting the shit with coworkers.

Mateo waited for me outside beneath the flickering glow of the neon sign, hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored slacks. It felt like he was trying to act like he was there by accident, as if he hadn’t been waiting for me.

He looked sexy as usual, though — damn him. Broad shoulders tapering down to his lean waist, chiseled jawline softened by a hint of stubble — the whole package was so unfair!

Shaking off those traitorous thoughts, I stalked forward until mere inches separated our bodies. Tilting my chin up, I met his gaze head-on, determined not to be intimidated.

"So here we are again,"I drawled, crossing my arms over my chest."To what do I owe the pleasure of another late-night visit, oh great and powerful alpha?"

One corner of his mouth quirked upward in amusement even as his eyes darkened with undisguised hunger."Still playing coy, I see. Very well, I admire persistence."

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