Page 59 of Merciless Oath

I knowI’m speeding too much when I notice Lenny’s white-knuckle grip on the door handle. I glance in the rearview mirror, and even Alfonso looks a bit pale.

“Sorry.” I chuckle, playing off my nervousness. I ease my foot off the gas a bit. “Just excited to see what we find.”

“Let’s make it there alive first,” Alfonso mutters, but he goes back to studying the map we marked up with the directions. “The turnoff is soon. Look for a sign that says Sevilla Cabins and Camp.”

Lenny spots it first, pointing it out amid the dense pine trees lining the country road. I swing the truck off the pavement, and we bump and rattle down a rocky dirt path.

We pull into a clearing that likely doubles as a parking area in the summer.

We stop at the giant welcome sign and spot the sedan hidden behind it, just like Jack said it would be. I suck in a breath and slip my gun out of the holster, just in case.

“Careful,” I warn. “There might have been a tracker on it. Keep an eye out for anyone coming back to claim the evidence.”

We climb out and fan out across the clearing, checking every nook and cranny. When we confirm we’re alone, Lenny showsoff her impressive skills and breaks into the car using just a bobby pin she pulls out of her hair.

“Nice job, kid.” I smile at her. She winks at me, throwing her hair over her shoulder saucily.

“Sorry to interrupt your flirting,” Alfonso calls, crawling out of the backseat, “but we have a phone.”

“A phone!” Valentina cheers, throwing her arms around him. “It’s really happening! We’re going to find her!”

“The phone is probably being tracked,” I say, trying to stay focused. Valentina’s beaming smile is very distracting, though. “I don’t want to risk bringing it back to Rafael’s place, but let’s see if we can reach her here.”

Alfonso passes it over, and I scroll through the call log, noticing the same repeating number.It can only be her. It has to be her.

My thumb shakes as I press the number and put it on speaker. We stand huddled in a circle, staring at the ringing phone, holding our breaths.

After a few rings, I almost give up, when suddenly, Alexandra’s rich melodic voice breaks the silence.

You finally found me, Enzo. Just wait till I find you.

The pre-recorded message beeps and clicks off. I instantly redial.

You finally found me, Enzo. Just wait till I find you.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I growl, launching the phone into a snowbank. Lenny slumps against the car, sinking into the front seat.

“Looks like she won’t be found until she wants to be,” Alfonso mutters, stalking back to our car.

I glance at Valentina and extend my hand. She grabs it, and I pull her out of the car. She gets caught on the door and curses.

“What’s wrong?” I call, already halfway to our car.

“Ugh, probably just this stupid zipper again,” she calls back, yanking her jacket and slamming the car door closed.

She climbs in beside me and we head back to the house, much quieter on the journey back than we were coming here.

She won’t be found until she wants to be. That’s what I’m afraid of—how far will she go before she reveals herself?

As we near Rafael’s house, I slow down and glance around, double-checking.

“No one took anything from the car, right?” I ask. Alfonso and Valentina both shake their heads, and I breathe a little easier.

The last thing I want is that crazy bitch finding us here.

I peek into the bathroom to see if Valentina is almost ready, but the vision in front of me grounds me in my spot. She’s brushing out her long, silky hair in front of the bathroom mirror, a towel wrapped loosely around her.

I step into the steamy little room, and her eyes meet mine in the mirror.

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