Page 77 of To Have and To Hold

“That isn’t for either of us to decide.”

“What about Mia? Is she aware of what’s happening?”

His nostrils flared. “I don’t know what she’s been told. You are to be trusted to keep this information here between you and Señora Ruiz.”

“Where will Liliana and I sleep?”

“There are unoccupied apartments. Down hallway five, there is a furnished unit with three bedrooms. You two can each have your own bedroom. José and I will take shifts in the other. You’ll be watched over all the time.”

“Did Em set that up?”

“He told me to keep you safe. I’m doing my job.”

I swallowed “Thank you, Horace.”

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

Isabella

It was after midnight as I sat alone on a twin-sized bed in a room that was big enough for the bed, a dresser, and a desk. The light fixture above was new but plain, giving off a harsh white illumination. With my knees to my chest, and my back against the wall where a headboard should be, I stared at the four corners, not willing to turn off the only source of light.

My head and jaw ached from the stress. My stomach was twisted in knots.

I couldn’t stop worrying about Em. How could it be that he finally tells me his feelings and I admit mine, and then he could be taken away from me? I was afraid my heartbreak would come from my father’s refusal or maybe Dario’s. Instead, it could be so much worse.

Closing my eyes, I asked the God I’d been taught about all my life to spare Emiliano, pleading his case. He wasn’t a perfect man. He’d admitted to murder. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t a good man. He’d askedel Patr?nto close Wanderland. I also asked the same for others, not even knowing for sure who was part of the operation or—if it was too late—if anyone was already injured or dead.

My teeth clenched as I imagined crime scenes from movies, wondering how accurate they truly were. Em never lied about what he did, telling me over and over that it was dangerous. What he didn’t tell me was that giving my heart to a handsome, strong, protective, and yes, good man would cause this much fear.

Throwing back the covers, I stood barefoot on the cool vinyl floor. Goose bumps peppered my arms and legs.

What was happening at Wanderland?

Were the tenants safe?

Is Volkov dead?

Have his men retaliated?

I paced next to the bed, back and forth, the questions multiplying in my head. There was no source of news. I didn’t even have my phone. Horace had it. I don’t know if that was his doing or Em’s, and at the moment, all I wanted was word of my fiancé.

Word that Em was safe and alive.

My fiancé.

The knots in my stomach multiplied.

Horace promised he’d bring me the phone if I received news. What he didn’t want was for me to freak out and call someone I shouldn’t share the information with. He didn’t want me scrolling for news stories or listening to rumors.

“Gah,” I called out, the pressure within me mounting. I felt like a lioness trapped in a cage.

Looking down, I assessed the clothes I wore, wondering if they were appropriate enough for José and Horace. One of our bodyguards would be in the common area while the other one slept.

Liliana found each of us a pair of shorts and oversized men’s t-shirts from donations the apartments received. The clothes had been washed, dried, and categorized by size. The shirt she handed me was clean with a faded LA Lakers logo on the front. It fell to my knees. The shorts were soft with an elastic waistband. We utilized hygiene supplies that Mia kept on hand for new arrivals.

Biting my lip, I went to the door and opened it a crack. I saw Horace sitting in a chair near the closed door to the hallway. “Any word?” I asked.

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