Page 29 of Wait for You

My life will be empty if Mat doesn’t return.

She couldn’t handle losing himandher brother. Not after they’d found each other again.

An even more terrifying thought struck Imogen, and she stopped in her tracks. What if Mat disappeared again because he thought it best for her?

A screech of pure frustration echoed across the ceiling beams. If he did, it would be her fault. He’d asked for forgiveness last night . . . and she hadn’t given it to him. She’d wanted to, but old fears held the words back.

His mistake had cost them five years. Was she going to let it cost them a future, too?

Though her mind gave a very emphatic no, she wondered if now, she’d even have the chance to test her resolve. A sigh sunkher chest as she resumed pacing. Maybe if worry wasn’t eating her up inside, she’d be able to think more clearly.

Mat would return, and she needed a plan because she couldn’t stand another day cooped up in his house. She’d lost access to the lieutenant, but Mat hadn’t. There had to be another avenue to explore to find her brother.

The front door banged shut, pulled by the force of the wind. Mid-litany, Imogen spun around.

Mat!

Her heart jumped in her chest. She was so relieved to see him that she bounded toward him, throwing her arms around his waist when she reached him. “I’m so glad you’re back!”

Her nightmare hadn’t come true.

El Jaguarhadn’t hurt him.

But as those thoughts ran through her head, she realized the man she embraced felt cold and stiff.

Pulling back, she studied his face. He looked beaten down, even without any physical marks. “What’s wrong?”

His voice came out flat, his usual drawl gone. “I found Emil.”

Excitement was her first reaction, but then his voice and demeanor registered. Tears flooded her eyes while a silent scream wrenched her lungs, and she gasped, “Tell me he’s not dead.”

“Dammit!” Mat finally touched her, capturing her face and tilting it to meet his, he kissed her forehead. “I shoulda said that to start with. He’s alive bu—”

Imogen choked back a sob. “Gracias a Dios!”

Mat still wore a haunted look. “Gen, the lieutenant has him.”

“So we get him back.” She gripped his wrists in desperation, where they cupped her face. “You can do that, can’t you?El Jaguarstill thinks you’re one of them.”

“It’s my fault they have him. I fed the cartel a bogus story about him betrayin’ us so they’d help find him.” Mat’s voicecracked before he added, “That’s why they captured him and almost killed him.” Shame colored the words, but she couldn’t let Mat carry that load. Not when the burden was hers.

“No, it’smyfault.” He’d dropped his hands and turned away. Refusing to let him shoulder the guilt, she gripped his arm and tugged him to face her. “I asked you to help look for Emil in the first place.”

Mat just shook his head, but she couldn’t let the guilt eat at either of them. Not when this was potentially good news. She reached for Mat’s hand and laced her fingers through his. “At least now we know where Emil is.” Fear of what the cartel would do to him crept over her skin, and she fought a shudder. “We have to get him out of there.”

“I have a plan.”

Imogen waited for him to tell her what it was, but the seconds stretched without response. He didn’t want to tell her, which made her all the more anxious to know what it was. She propped her hands on her hips and stared him down. “He’s my brother, Mat. I deserve to know.”

“I know.” With a heavy sigh, he scrubbed his hands down his face. “I used you as an excuse to buy some time.”

“Me?” Confusion created lines on her forehead. What did he mean?

“I made sure Emil wouldn’t blow my cover, then told the lieutenant I’d return with somethin’ to make him talk—his sister.”

“Oh.” Imogen’s eyes widened a little as she let that sink in. She’d have to go back into the lion’s den. Steeling herself, she took a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”

But Mat shook his head with a growl. “No. That’s not what I meant. You’re not goin’ anywhere nearEl Jaguar.”

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