Page 71 of Her Wolf

Victor snapped his fingers at Cora. “Hey, you talk to me, girl.”

Cora lifted a hand, knowing both Finn and Bailey would have surged forward at the man’s blatant show of disrespect.

The air in the room changed. Of the five men in front of her, everyone except Owen suddenly looked edgier than they had five seconds ago.

“We can give you your money back,” Neo said from behind her, making her grind her teeth. “But it’ll take a few days—”

Owen got to his feet.

His eyes were level with hers when he spoke, and he faint traces of an Irish accent. “One point five,” he said. And then added, “By tomorrow.”

“But you only paid one mill!” Neo yelled behind her. She put up her hand, but he didn’t obey her like Finn and Bailey. He pushed past her, almost sending her sprawling, and came right up in Owen’s face. “Why the fuck are you asking for another five hundred?”

Owen hadn’t moved. He studied Neo for a moment, and then slowly ran his hands down the front of his suit. “For the inconvenience.”

Then he stepped around Neo, gave Cora a small nod, and left the room with Victor in tow.

She felt dizzy, and not just because Neo had almost sent her flying. Sinking back in her chair, she turned back to the three men. “You will have what you need within a week.”

They watched her for a few seconds, eyes darting from her to Neo. Behind her, no doubt to Finn and Lars. And then, one by one, they nodded, rose, and left.

Neo spun to her as soon as the door closed behind Jamie. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

She looked up at him, moving only her eyes. “Who are they?”

“What? Who?”

“Victor and Owen. Who are they?”

Neo’s mouth moved for a moment, and then he sagged a little. “I’m not sure. I think Javier’s partner sent them.” And then his mouth slid into a tight line, as if he regretted saying that.

“My father?” she asked, frowning. “Why would he—”

“Not him,” Neo cut in irritably. “But from what Cesar said—”

So many questions flooded her mind, but she could only deal with one at a time. “When did you speak to Cesar?”

“Now.” Neo gestured to the floor. “Just before you got here.”

Cora got to her feet, advancing on Neo in two quick strides. It was all she could do not to pull her hidden knife from the corset of her costume.

She couldn’t seem to leave her room without it these days. It was the same one she’d slammed into Javier’s heart, but cleaned since then.

“What gives you the right to start a meeting without me being present?”

Neo opened his mouth, but this time, she wouldn’t let him speak. “And what makes you think you can address me as anything less than capo?”

“I’m capo too—” Neo began.

“When we’re discussing cartel business,” Cora said, raising her voice over his, “You will not call me as your wife.” She stabbed a finger in his chest.

Neo took a step back, blinking at her in obtuse incredulity. “But you are—”

“And I am not Elle,” she said, emphasizing the point with another prod of her finger.

Neo’s lips lifted in a snarl.

“I am La Sombra. That’s how you address me, or don’t address me at all.”

---