Page 86 of Deception & Desire

Time suddenly slows.

A glint of metal.

A gun.

It’s pointed at me.

I turn to Max, the man who’s been at my side for the better part of the year, the man who has stepped up at every available opportunity to prove his worth.

Now he’s holding a gun to my face.

“Max,” I say, my voice low and sharp. “What the hell are you doing?”

Suddenly, a lot of scattered pieces snap into place.

How Rubio had found out that Mia was my wife. How a bomb could be placed in the brownstone despite the relentless security checks. How a stranger from California could be so eager to be my second.

His expression is cool, detached, almost bored.

“Sorry, boss,” he says, and the title drips with mockery. “But I’ve been playing this game a lot longer than you realize.”

“Why?” I demand, my voice a growl.

“They made me a better offer, and let’s be honest—you’ve been distracted. Love makes a man weak, Leon. And I don’t follow weak leaders.”

The betrayal cuts deep. Murderously deep. I trusted this man with my life. With mywife.But there’s no time for it to fester, not now. Not when Mia is still on the floor, unknowingly surrounded by the enemy.

“Drop the gun.”

Max smirks. “Consider this my formal resignation.”

I react on pure instinct as he fires. The noise shatters the illusion of calm all around us. Someone screams.

Pain blossoms in my chest.

And then everything falls apart.

25

MIA

The gunshot cracks through the air, sharp and final. For a second, the room stills, the sparkling hum of the casino turning to stunned silence.

Then I see him.

Leon clutches his chest, blood seeping through his suit. His knees buckle, and he collapses, the shock on his face cutting me deeper than the chaos erupting around us.

“No!”

The scream tears from my throat as my body propels forward, shoving through the panicked crowd. My heart pounds, every instinct screaming to get to him, to make sure he’s okay. He has to be okay.

God, please let him be okay.

I’m close, so close, when a hand clamps down on my arm.

I twist violently, coming face to face with a man dressed as a server. Except…no, how did the Cartel get in here? I thought Leon had them in retreat. No. No. No. This is all wrong.

“Let go of me!” I snarl, yanking my arm back, but his grip tightens, dragging me toward him.

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