Page 40 of Traitor

“Mr. Emiliano?” my head of security asked.

I stood to my feet. “Is the car downstairs?”

“And I’m prepared to oversee Miss Pettigrew’s safety myself.”

I turned to face him. “I thought you’d appoint Lukas.”

He shook his head. “After the news about Lyle, I’d rather do it myself. Can’t say I trust my men right now. I’m having all of them re-vetted through clear and concise eyes.”

I walked over and patted his shoulder. “If she wakes up while I’m gone, get a doctor in here to finish the evaluation. Then, get her food. Anything she wants. And don’t let her out of your sight.”

He nodded. “Anything else?”

I slipped out of the room. “On my signal, send the clean-up crew to my house.”

I set my sights on what was about to happen as I made my way downstairs. Char had been out cold for the majority of the day and it had me worried, despite the doctor temporarily clearing her of anything catastrophic. Still, my gut pooled with worry as I slid into the back of my car and commanded my driver to get to my house.

I needed to speak with my wife.

While I knew I couldn’t divorce her, since leaving her behind meant cutting off my right hand in the middle of this damned war, I also knew I couldn’t endure this with her anymore. She either needed to back down, shut the hell up, or get put six feet under.

And I was prepared for the latter, if it came down to that.

My driver pulled up to the house and I drew in a deep breath. Then, I eased my way out onto the pristine white driveway. I walked up to the door and let myself in with a key I always kept on my keyring. And when I did, I heard the most boisterous sound alive.

“Son of a bitch, that stupid fucking boy!” Rosana shrieked.

I watched as a cell phone came flying at my head and I ducked. I slipped my hands into my pockets as the shattered remnants of the device I wouldn’t replace for her rained down upon my back. Then, as I rose to meet her eyes while she stood at the top of the steps, she gasped.

“I take it you heard the news, then,” I said.

Rosana cleared her throat. “I’m glad you’re here, Mateo. We have much to discuss.”

My gaze hardened on her face. “Allow me to go first.”

She sauntered down the steps. “Since when did you never let the lady go first?”

“Since the lady decided it was her place to jam a knife into my back.”

She paused in the middle of the staircase. “I beg your pardon?”

I licked my lips. “I’m only going to say this once without the need for weaponry and bloodshed, so I want to make sure you’re listening.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What is this about? What in the world are you--?”

I stepped away from the door. “I want you to pack your things and leave.”

She scoffed. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

I started walking until I was at the steps. Then, I ascended. I clenched my fists in my pockets as I met her face-to-face, peering down into those steely eyes of hers.

“I said, pack up your shit and get the hell out of my house.”

My voice came out as cool as an iced cucumber and I watched as her eyes widened. I knew I had caught her off-guard, and it brought me great pride. She had been so calculating up until this point, foreseeing every hiccup in an attempt to evade me at the highest cost. But, she had been caught.

Something only beginners tripped up on.

“The only way you’re getting rid of me,” Rosana said as she leaned in close, “is to divorce me. And we both know you don’t have the balls to do that.”

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