Page 37 of Wanted By the Cartel

"Lyrian—"

"The twins are fine," he continued. "Mae will monitor us closely. But I can't stay here, surrounded by your fear and control, feeling like a prisoner."

I wanted to argue. To forbid it. To lock him in our room until he saw reason. But that would only prove his point, wouldn't it? I didn't want to make him angrier than he already was.

"How long?" I managed to ask.

"Until you figure out if you want a partner or a possession." He moved to the door, and paused. "I love you, Zoren. But love without trust isn't enough. Not for me, and not for our family."

He left before I could respond, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Through the new security cameras, I watched him make his way to the medical wing, guards trailing at a respectful distance. Even now, I couldn't stop trying to protect him.

I sat heavily in my chair, staring at the security feeds. Was this what I'd become? So focused on keeping him safe that I was willing to cage him? So terrified of losing him that I'd risk driving him away?

The irony wasn't lost on me. In trying to protect what I loved most, I might have damaged it beyond repair.

My phone buzzed—Chen, requesting instructions about the new security protocols. I ignored it. Instead, I pulled up the camera showing Mae's medical wing, where Lyrian was now. Even from here, I could see the weight lift from his shoulders as he escaped the suffocating security of our wing.

He was right. Of course he was right. But how could I balance my need to protect him with his need for freedom? How could I allow him to expose himself so much when every fiber of my being screamed to keep him hidden from everyone?

Chapter 17

Lyrian

Sunlight streamed through the medical wing's windows as I sorted through intelligence reports at my makeshift desk. Mae had converted one of her private rooms into a comfortable living space, though it wasn't quite home. Nothing other than it could be.

A week had passed since I'd left our private quarters, and while Zoren's presence lingered at the edges of the compound, he'd respected my need for space. I knew he was going to. He knew he had fucked up.

"Your blood pressure's still higher than I'd like," Mae said, reviewing my morning checkup results. "The twins are fine, but you need to manage your stress better."

I nodded, only half-listening as I studied Lieutenant Rodriguez's latest report. Something about the patterns of recent gang movements didn't sit right with me. "Has Chen's team verified these shipping manifests?"

"Lyrian." Mae's tone sharpened. "Did you hear what I said? High blood pressure at seven months with twins isn't something to ignore."

"I heard you." I placed a hand on my swollen belly, feeling the twins' restless movements. They'd been more active lately, perhaps sensing my unease. They could feel things about me I thought they couldn't. "But this is important. These manifests don't match what we're seeing on the ground."

She sighed but pulled up a chair. Over the past week, she'd become both my medical guardian and unofficial confidante, and I was happy about it. Without her, I wouldn’t have anyone trustworthy to talk to about my life problems. "Talk me through it."

"Look here." I pointed to the shipping dates. "Three separate gangs are moving large shipments through neutral territory on the same night. That never happens. They're coordinating something."

"Could be a coincidence?"

I shook my head. "Not with the emotional signatures I've been picking up. There's too much anticipation, too much carefully contained excitement among the lower ranks. Something big is coming."

A knock interrupted us. Lieutenant Chen entered, carrying fresh reports. "Sir, we've confirmed your suspicions about the Rivera family's recent movements. They're definitely mobilizing."

"Show me," I said, pushing aside the manifests. Chen spread out a series of surveillance photos, each showing key Rivera lieutenants meeting with other gang leaders.

My head throbbed as I extended my empathic senses, trying to piece together the fragments of information. The twins kicked sharply, and I winced. They were trying to tell me something.

"That's enough," Mae said firmly, noticing my discomfort. "You need rest."

"Just... give me a minute." I closed my eyes, focusing on the emotional echoes I'd picked up from various gang members overthe past weeks. Fear. Anticipation. Loyalty shifting like sand... My eyes snapped open. "It's not just against us. They're making a play against everyone. The Riveras, the Vipers, all of them are working together."

"Against who?" Chen asked.

"The old families. All of them. Including the Crimson Fangs." The realization made my blood run cold. The bastards dared to do that? "They're planning to take out the established leadership and reshape the entire power structure."

Chen cursed softly. "When?"

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