Page 88 of The Enforcer

“Just say it, Christos. They will be killed.” Her voice was filled with exasperation.

“Yes.”

Valencia nodded several times, her jaw clenched. “I can’t and won’t be a part of that. I will stay for another two days to continue to care for your father as well as I can, but I am booking a flight home. A commercial flight.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Her eyes were filled with defiance, her mouth twisted in anger.

“My words are frank and easy to understand. You’re not going anywhere.”

“So, I have been a prisoner this entire time.”

“You’re not a prisoner, Valencia. You’re in danger.”

She laughed, the sound so bitter that a part of me cringed inside. “That’s because you placed me in danger with the photographs.”

“Unintentionally.”

The slight roll of her eyes said clearly she didn’t believe me. “You can’t keep me here.”

As I’d done so many times, I crowded her space, only she shifted away as much as the space would allow her. “I can and I will in order to keep you safe. I care about you, Valencia. There are forces at work that will do what’s necessary to bring down my family. Including using you.”

“They don’t know me. Well, I guess they do to a point.” Every word dripped of sarcasm.

She was right to blame me. The risk I’d taken had backfired.

I shook my head, longing to touch her, to hold her. She needed to understand what we could be facing. Pulling away, I headed to the table where I’d placed the envelope. “Have a look at these.”

She lifted her head, her defiance even more pronounced, but she took the envelope, opening the flap. As she pulled the pictures into her hands, I noticed her brow furrowing. “What is this? Wedding pictures?”

“Four of the ten include you in the frames. Doesn’t that suggest anything to you?”

A few seconds later she lifted her head, her gaze meeting mine. “Who sent these to you?”

“Someone who also issued a threat.”

Her expression faltered, her lower lip quivering for a few seconds only until she gave me a hard look. “They’re telling you I’m a liability. Whoever this monster is.”

“The bastard is suggesting that you are a weakness. And you are.”

She glanced at the photographs again before handing them back to me. “I can’t stay here. You know that. I have Magnum. He might be a dog to everyone else, but he’s my son.”

“I’m sorry, but the only place I can keep you safe is right here in my home.”

“This isn’t my home.”

Sighing, I knew I’d never find the right words. “This is for now. Your sister is caring for him. Yes?”

“Yes.”

“Call her. Just ask her to take care of him for a little while longer. From what you’ve told me, she’ll be happy to do so. Make certain she knows you’re doing fine and enjoying yourself. But do not tell her that you’re in danger. Do you understand me?” I wasn’t prepared to tell her I might be accompanying her to New York. The option was there, but one I didn’t like. I’d already placed her in harm’s way.

“You want me to lie to her.”

She was a tough woman, more so than I’d given her credit for. “I want you to ensure she remains safe as well. Nothing more.”

Her laugh was more bitter than ever. “You’re threatening me and my sister. You’ve sunk to a new low.”

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