Page 36 of Brutal Heir

I never expected to find myself in bed with him.

Part of me feels angry at him. One moment I was in his bathroom, getting ready to start my day, and the next he was accusing me of being on drugs. It was all surreal.

But I know exactly why I went to him in the first place. I wanted to feel alive, to forget about the monotony of my life for a little while. I wanted to be wrapped in his arms, feel his strength, and revel in it.

Despite everything, there’s a part of me that wants to go back to him, to feel his hands on my skin. It’s why I showered at his place, imagining myself in that huge tub, with him. It’s why I went to his bed with hardly any clothes on.

Now, as I reflect on what happened, I realize I screwed up. I took the medication without a second thought. Now, with Ezequiel going off, I’m down two days’ worth of meds. What am I going to—

I backtrack through that thought only to have an icy shower fall over me. I’m more worried about the fact I lost two pills than anything else that happened.

Is he right? It’s become second nature to take it every day now, even though I promised myself I wouldn’t. Maybe I need to start weaning myself off it, to see if I can make it through the night without it. Fear nips at my heels. The nightmares always feel like they’re just waiting for me to fall asleep.

Dad keeps harping on me to talk about what happened. Even though he’s always been a hardass, he kept going on about how having a record doesn’t mean a guy’s bad. He opened a security business and hired some tough guys from his old neighborhood. Men who knew the streets and what to look for. And he’s never had any real problems with them.

What happened to me was revenge. An isolated incident. All I know is that when I picture that particular individual, I see his fist coming down at me.

I never expected to find someone I’d go to bed with. And I never would have expected I’d end up spending the night with Ezequiel Mata.

After everything that happened, my heart just wasn’t in it. I went to Laredo hoping to escape, to leave everything behind.But the memories followed me like a shadow. I tried going to the mall, but didn’t feel like shopping. I couldn’t decide what to do for lunch. Even as I sat at the food count, picking at my food, I had no appetite.

The truth is, I was looking for something. Something missing from my life. And when everything happened with Ezequiel, I thought I found something that might at least keep me going. His strength and the fact he was so possessive does something to me. I hadn’t really experienced anything like that before. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite.

As I drive back to Carrizo, I can’t help but think about what could have been. If only he had kissed me, maybe things would have been different.

I really like the way he reacted when I showed up. The memory of him holding me against the front door sends a shiver down my body. Another part reminds me I can’t get carried away. I’m not going to set myself up to be disappointed.

It’s too late to second-guess any of that now. The damage has been done, and I have to live with the consequences.

Just then, movement catches my attention. There’s a group of people hiding in the grass along the highway. My first thought is about the possibility of snakes. Then the fact these people came from across the border, walking through La Escuadra Ranch.

Fear creeps in as I think about the implications of this. I know I have to call the border patrol and report it, even though I hate the idea of doing so. It’s the right thing to do, and I can’t let my fear stop me from taking action.

Blowing out a breath, I reach for my cell and scroll down to the number for our contact at the border patrol checkpoint.

Chapter 21

Ezequiel

As I stand there in the hot sun, I hear the trailer rattling behind Addler’s truck before I even see the dust cloud it kicks up. The truck pulls up, and Addler climbs out. I go over to meet him and see a woman following him out of the truck. Her long black hair falls over her shoulders in waves.

Well, I’ll be damned. Didn’t expect to see a woman with Addler.

“She’s exhausted.” I push my hat back and swipe at the sweat rolling down my temple. “At this point, the quad’s just spinning its wheels, and I already busted the strap.”

“Let me get the ones I brought,” Addler says, nodding as he turns around to walk back to the truck, leaving me with the woman. “Oh, Ezequiel, that’s Elena,” he says, as if him bringing a woman round is an everyday thing.

“Miss Elena.” Since I’m covered in mud up to my elbows, thebest I can do is offer a nod. She’s a pretty thing; her big brown eyes hold a spark of intelligence. Looks vaguely familiar. Is she from one of the neighboring families?

“Hello, Ezequiel,” she says, reaching out for a handshake. I bring up my hand, which is caked in mud, and show it to her. Neither her smile nor her hand falters. I’m not sure if she’s stubborn or the kind of woman who doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. Only time will tell.

I switch to a fist bump, which just makes her smile even bigger. “We brought water and sandwiches,” she says.

I’m liking her more and more.

“I’ll take a water,” I reply. “The food’ll have to wait.”

She goes to the truck’s back seat, and I hear the familiar rattle of ice. My mouth waters. Cold water would hit the spot after being out in the hot sun half the day.

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