Page 113 of To Have and To Hold

“He said that Dario and Dante have told him that he’s been wrong about the cartel, but he refused to believe them. He said he believes me, and he’ll try.”

Em nodded.

“He also said that I’m always welcome in their home and so is anyone that I love.”

“That’s me, right?”

“Yes.” My cheeks rose as my lips curled. “I thought about it. I think he means others too.”

“What others?”

“Well, if we try part two again tonight and it’s better, we might want to try it again and again.”

“I like the way you’re talking.”

“If we do that, in a year or two when we visit Kansas City, there could be more than two of us.”

His gaze turned sultry. “Are you sure you want children?”

I shrugged. “I’ve always imagined having them. I guess before you, I didn’t realize how dangerous the world can be.”

“It’s less dangerous than it was yesterday.”

“Why is that?”

Em took my hand and led me to the bed. We both sat on the edge. “This is one of those times I’m being truthful, but for now, it is only between the two of us. Don’t tell your father.”

“Why would I tell him?”

“I don’t know. If he would ask, pretend you don’t know.”

“What don’t I know?”

“Not long after we completed the ceremony, Jano received a message from our men in Mexico.”

“You have men in Mexico?”

“He received an important message. Elizondro Herrera was captured.”

I sucked in a breath. “He’s the oneel Patr?nwanted.”

Em nodded. “Jano believed that Herrera was responsible for many horrible things. He believed he called the hit on his father.” Em took a breath. “When we found Volkov, Jano’s only condition was that he be the one to take his life. He wanted the same thing with Herrera. He told our men to keep him detained, and that he’d be down to Saint Martin tomorrow.”

“Is he going?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Dario thought something was suspicious. He and Rei followed Jano to the other room. They heard enough of the conversation to figure out what was happening. Rei and Dario talked Jano out of traveling out of the country. While you and I were cutting cake, the three of them were strategizing. According to Rei, Dario laid it on the line. Leaving the country would be dangerous for Jano. He’s right. Dario said that Jano could pick up the phone and tell his men to execute Herrera, just as Herrera had done to Jorge. Jano would be the reason Herrera was finally dead.”

It was like listening to a movie plot. “Didel Patr?ndo it? Did he call for Herrera’s death?”

“He did. He has photos to verify that Herrera is finally gone.”

“And this is good, right?”

“Yes, my love, it is very good. The Roríguez cartel is stronger than ever.”

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