Page 22 of Cartel Cobra

“Este?”

“You’re mine,chiquita.”

Maybe one of these days she’ll believe it. I hate hearing her uncertainty, but I can’t dwell on that. I try to open the gate before I notice the padlock. There’s nothing I can do about it now. Trying to shoot it off is more likely to wound Lucy or mewhen the bullet ricochets. I scoop her over my shoulder and step on to the bottom of the ornate metal gate.

“I’m here,capitan.”

“Ricco?”

“Sí, señorita.”

My driver tonight is one of Josue’s men. Enrique sent me, and he made sure his father knew someone loyal would be inside and outside if anything happened. I hand Lucy to him, and he helps her to her feet as I scale the fence. I hop down and once again scoop Lucy over my shoulder.

“I can run.”

“Not in those heels.”

“I’ll kick them off. I’m slowing you down.”

“You’ll trip over your gown.”

These are plausible explanations, but I really just want her in my arms. Cradling her would make it hard to run. Over my shoulder, she’s like a feather compared to men I’ve had to carry.

“Este—”

“Enough, Lucy.” I swat her ass.

“Yes, sir.”

I barely hear her, and I’m certain Ricco didn’t. I see the car ahead of us with the driver’s side open. Ricco hurries to pass me and get to the backdoor ahead of me to open it for Lucy and me. As he comes past, I slam my elbow into his temple. It stuns him, and he trips. As he falls, Lucy slams her fist against my back.

“Why’d you do that? Put me down! Ricco!”

“Stop screaming unless you want Domingo to come after us.”

That silences her as we get to the car. It’s running with no beeps, so I know the fob must still be in here. I open the front passenger side and less than ceremoniously dump Lucy onto the seat.

“Don’t.”

She glares at me as I push her gown out of the way and barely keep from slamming the door. I run around the hood, trusting she won’t shoot me as I climb into the driver’s seat. I know she still has her gun. No one will pry that away from her. I fully expect her to point it at me, but it rests in her lap. I’m pulling away from the curb as I shut my door, and the first bullet hits the reinforced metal. I glance in the rearview mirror and know it was Ricco. He’s pressing his earpiece and likely reporting me to Josue’s head of security. The next round strikes the bulletproof window beside Lucy. I glance over and see Domingo running toward us. She’d be dead if this car weren’t a mini tank.

“Where are you taking me, Esteban?”

Chapter Seven

Luciana

I know better than to reach for the steering wheel despite the temptation. Esteban is stronger than me and clearly trained to drive while pursued. He takes turns at the last minute but maintains control of the vehicle. I look at the gun in my lap, and I know I could kill him. All I’d have to do is tilt it and have it aimed straight at his heart. That doesn’t tempt me in the least.

“Esteban, answer me. Where are you taking me?”

“To your parents’ house.”

“Then why did you stop Ricco?”

“Because I trust no one besides your father and brothers. None of them are here, so no one else gets near you.”

“Domingo? Is he?—”

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