Page 119 of Unbound

Maybe he was. I couldn’t tell. He wasn’t about to reveal his true self to me. Why would he? He had all the power here.

“I trust, with what I know of you, with what I’ve seen, that her safety will be your priority.”

“Absolutely,” I said.

“She stays in your city, lives with you or someone in your family who can look after her. She’s guarded at all times in public. I’ll happily pay for security and any other expenses. If you need to take her out of your city, I want to approve it first. Zack will always be able to reach me and I’ll get you a secure number.”

“You don’t pay me for looking after my wife’s sister. I may have just met that girl half an hour ago, but she’s my family.”

He nodded. “So you’ll do this for me and then I’ll marry her and I’ll be your family, too.”

I didn’t know if I caught a trace of humor in his eyes. Maybe.

He kept talking. “This will give them time together. Perhaps it’ll help your wife heal from what she’s… endured. And it’ll giveme time to get some things in order, knowing Holly is safe while I do this.”

“Fine. But I won’t promise that when you’re ready–”

“Dario, no offense, but please, let’s not muddy the waters here. You came for Holly. You’re leaving with her. I’m telling you I’ll be back for her. Consider this concession a gift. You’ll be doing me a favor by looking after her, but it is temporary.”

I studied his face and decided to keep my mouth shut. I’d get her outta here and figure the rest out later.

His eyes lit with a bit of amusement but a very small amount. He’d probably read me and left it at that.

“Why’d you help me take down Kruna?”

“They had to be stopped. Delgado, especially.”

“Is that because they take from your trade or because what they were doing was immoral?” I asked.

He snickered. “You gonna try to take my outfit down now? Rid the world of human trafficking? Please.” He rolled his eyes.

I regarded him studiously. I didn’t know what to make of this guy.

We left Mexico that night. We had planned to stay but with the twist of having Holly with us, we decided to go immediately. Mission accomplished, if only for now. I had gotten Holly for Angel.

When Romero and I stepped into the bedroom and saw them sitting on the bed together. Alessandro looked at her pointedly.

“Hi,” she greeted sweetly.

“You’re going with your sister,” Alessandro said.

Angel and Holly both jolted.

“What?” Holly went pale.

“For now. I’ll be back for you soon.”

“Soon? When?”

“When it’s time, mi pequeña flor.”

“Is this a punishment for what I did?” she asked, giving him big doe eyes.

“Go. Spend time with your sister. I’ll see you soon.”

“Let’s have them stay here, so I can spend time with Angie here. Can she stay here?” Holly looked at me.

“Not a good idea, Holly,” I said.

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