Page 1 of Cartel Cobra

Chapter One

Luciana

My brothers might be the ones always looking over their shoulders for the gun pointing at them, but they aren’t the only ones with a sixth sense for when they’re being watched. I grew up in the Cartel just like them.

I sweep my gaze around the cafe, trying to be inconspicuous as I search for the person watching me. I shift in my seat to see farther to my right. My father and brothers drilled it into my sister and me as children to never sit with our backs to a window or door. I’m angled with my back to the wall, so I can see the door and the windows. However, the three tables to my right aren’t within my direct line of sight.

I shift in my chair as I reach back into my purse for my phone. It gives me an excuse to glance in that direction before appearing to look in my bag. I could fish around in it and easily find my phone since I carry very little with me. Another lesson learned as a child, except my mother taught me that. The fewer identifiable things I keep in it, the harder it would be forsomeone to know I’m thejefe de jefes’daughter and the less a captor could use against me.

I spy a man—the single most attractive man I’ve ever seen—working at a computer. Our gazes meet, but I’m quick to look away as though I didn’t register him. But I did.

¡Hostia puta!Holy fuck.

He’s hot. Like insanely hot.

I’m certain he was the one watching me. I don’t know why, and that makes me nervous. I want to be flattered, but someone that attractive doesn’t notice someone like me unless he knows who my family is. I mean, I do okay, but I’m not model level pretty. He and I aren’t in the same league. We’re not even playing the same sport.

I shouldn’t even be contemplating whether any man finds me attractive, and I’m reminded of that as I notice my engagement ring. Some days it feels like a vise around my finger. After the conversation I just had with Domingo, it’s feeling exceptionally tight. The thought turns my stomach over, and I feel clammy. I glance at the clock on my phone before tilting my head toward the restroom. My guard knows I’m safe going alone since the family who owns this place is Cartel. They’d never let anything happen to me. I don’t even worry about losing the table when I get up, but I’m not foolish enough to leave my purse behind to save it.

I head down the hallway and around the corner before ducking into the restroom. I take a few deep breaths before putting a wet paper towel across the back of my neck. It’s fucking hot as hell outside, but it’s air conditioned in here. I can’t blame the weather for the heat that feels like it’s emanating from me. I close my eyes and inhale.

Buck up, buttercup.

I learned that in the States while I was in college. Bizarre phrase, but it fits.

I’m unprepared for the strange man waiting outside the door. I nearly slam into him. I take a step back and bump into the door. I’m ready to reach back and duck inside, but his gaze pins me in place.

“Hola.”

“Who are you?” Maybe I could be politer.

“You don’t know?” Maybe he could be less smug.

“Should I?” It’s my turn to cock an eyebrow with arrogance.

“Do you answer every question with a question?”

“Do you always do the same?”

I shouldn’t be back here alone. I shouldn’t be talking to a stranger. I shouldn’t be so intrigued. I shouldn’t be a lot of things—like stupid enough to stay where I am when anyone could walk around the corner and see us talking.

“I’m Esteban, and you’re Luciana Diaz.”

“How do you know who I am?” Intrigue just skyrocketed to fear.

“Do you really believe there’s anyone in Bogotá who doesn’t know you’re thejefe de jefes’daughter? That your brother isel tigre? That your other brother isel secretariat? Your family isn’t exactly low profile.”

That might be true, but those are the very reasonsno onediscusses who my family is with me. He’s got some serioushuevos—balls—or a death wish to do it.

“If you already know so much about me, then why ask?”

“I wanted you to tell me on your own.”

Smug bastard. He could have made that sound sweet, but he didn’t. It was more like he wanted me to do what he wanted.

“You didn’t give me your last name, but you already know mine.”

“Cardenas.”

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