Page 283 of Hate Mates

"You're right. There's no point talking about this, and it's always better that we go for a run than for me to put a bullet?—"

"Stop." Gustavo holds up a hand. His gaze drifts back behind us, where the other two men are doubled over, catching their breaths. "Saying shit like that can get you killed."

We head back. When we pass the men, Gustavo yells, "Hit the gym more often. You two are a disgrace."

Their answers are between a gasp and a laugh.

Downhill is a lot easier and faster run, but as we are a block away from the house, we find the multitude gathered.

Our men are outside in the driveway. My heart drops.Did something happen to the old man?

Gustavo and I look at each other and take off, running faster. But when the men part to let us pass, my father is standing on the far end. In the middle, there's a pickup truck crashed against one of the pine trees. A large box sits on its bed. Elio, one of our drivers, is slumped over the steering wheel. His eyes stare at nothing at all.

He's dead.

"What the fuck is happening?" I ask one of the guards at the gates.

"Elio brought that back. He made it through the gate and crashed against that tree. He's dead."

"What's in the box?" Gustavo asks.

Fred shakes his head and looks at me. "It says it's a gift for you."

All of them are standing around, but no one wants to risk opening it.

"Your father thinks it could be something sent to kill him," Fred adds.

"We are not that lucky," I say under my breath.

Gustavo shoots me a warning look.

"I guess it's time to find out." I step up to the truck, ignoring all the people screaming my name.

I climb onto the truck's bed and move closer to the box. There's no sound coming from inside.

With my heart beating in my ears, I yank the tab and am stunned. A woman's body crouches inside. Her hair covers most of her face, except for part of her cheek. My heart punches against my chest.Is she dead?

I lean in to check on her and touch her shoulder, but her skin is cold to the touch, and she doesn't move. I move closer, and when my fingers graze her cheek, she turns to look at me with brown eyes that pierce all the way to my soul.

"¡Tu!" she croaks, pointing at me.

My pulse ticks up.Mierda. I know this chick. Soledad Marte.

"I'll fucking kill you for this,maldito."

I open my mouth to ask what the fuck she's doing here, but I don't get to utter a word. She springs up and throws herself at me. I fall back over the side of the truck and land on the ground with a loud thump, with her on top of me. I'm pretty sure I broke something. She moves over me, straddling me, and for the first time, I realize she's naked.

Then she rears back and clocks me.

Chapter Two

If I let them put me back in that box, I'm not getting out alive. I need to fight, kick, and swing. And that's what I do. My first connects with Dario's jaw. The pain breaks through my hand, rattling me, but I can't stop. I punch again until he grabs my arms in his hands.

"Don't fucking shoot," someone yells.

I pause to look at the man only feet away. His face is somewhat familiar. They're allaliados. And I'm in their hands. The fear blows into my heart. I try to free my arms, twisting my body off Dario. Maybe I can force him to let me go.

"Don't run," he warns.

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