Page 52 of Defy

“The war started decades ago, Diego! And I refuse to let Libby be collateral damage! Now, you can either help me or you can stand in my way, but nothing, and I meannothingis going to stop me from getting to Libby.” Pulling the black Glock 17 from the holster on my belt, I level it at my lifelong friend. “I will shoot anyone who tries.”

The tone of my voice leaves no room for interpretation.

I will end him to get to her.

He holds up his hands. “I’m not stopping you, brother. In fact, I think I can help you,” he says just as a wicked smile spreads across face.

~

THE HARDEST PART IS getting out the front gates. Thankfully, everyone is so tied up with the search on the grounds and the marina that the garage is deserted. We don’t have long to get out before someone realizes Diego and I aren’t part of the search party.

We choose a generic car from the fleet and disable its tracker before I sink down low in the front seat. The untraceable cars are behind heavier security measures. The rationale being, since they can’t be tracked, it’s more important to know when one leaves. The oneswiththe trackers aren’t monitored in the garage because, well, we always know where they are.

It’s only as we drive out the front gate that I realize Diego is putting his life on the line to help me. When word gets back to my father that he helped me in any way, he’ll likely eat a bullet.

“I appreciate you coming along, D.” There’s no need to specify what for.

He knows.

“I can get you through the gate but I have to be honest. Mateo is finnicky at best. I think you’re safer from him than you are your own father which is why I’m taking you, but if shit goes sideways…” He trails off.

“I understand.”

I wish I could take the car that has the weapons I stashed in the trunk a few days ago, but there will undoubtedly be a search when we arrive at Mateo’s and the last thing I want to do is pose a threat.

This is a far cry from my original plan, but shit has changed.A lotof shit.

Hell, if I’d known Libby had this many fucking allies a week ago, perhaps I could have worked faster.

As I’m sifting through murderous thoughts, a phone starts ringing from Diego’s pocket. He holds the screen up and lets out a breath.

“Word travels fast,” he says placing the phone in the holder by the air conditioning vent.

“Put it on speakerphone,” I whisper as he reaches forward to answer the call.

My palms are sweating and I rub them on my cargo pants as Mateo’s voice fills the car.

“Diego,” he says a way of greeting.

“Mr. Santos.”

“I assume Dominic is with you?” Diego looks over at me and nods telling me to answer Mateo myself.

“I’m here. Mateo, is Libby with you?”

He ignores my question completely. “If you’re already on your way then that means you haven’t lost your touch, Dominic. I’m glad to hear it. See you boys soon.” He disconnects the call while I remember how to breathe.

I have so many questions I don’t know where to start. My heart is pounding and I just start throwing them out.

“How long were you in love with Adriana?”

“Since I was twelve.”

I let that sink in as I watch my homeland pass by my window. After several minutes, I circle back to focus on the one thing that matters the most.

“If Libby’s there, you’re sure he isn’t going to hurt her?”

“He won’t hurt her,” he confirms almost robotically. I can tell he’s holding something back.

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