Page 56 of Cartel Viper
“Sorry. I didn’t see your text come in.”
I realize I still haven’t read it. I put the call on speaker, so I can pull up the message.
Tío E
Drew O’Sheehan? You need to explain now then get back to the city. We can protect you and plan. Hiding her won’t fix this.
“Sure. What do you know about her relationship with O’Sheehan?”
He dismisses my excuse, and I can imagine what he assumes we were up to. He’s right of course. I consider what I can share without breaking Maddy’s confidences. I’m certain she shared things she doesn’t want anyone else to know.
“He abused her and forced her to do some jobs for him. She didn’t know what he was at first, and by the time she did, he had complete control over her.”
“Why’s he after her? Because he can’t accept that she doesn’t want him?”
“There’s that. She knows things about his business he doesn’t want her to share. He spoofed Laura’s number when he called, so she answered. I didn’t hear all of it, but I know he threatened her.”
“Can you get her here?”
“I don’t want to bring her back into the city. It’s not just the drive back. I don’t want her somewhere so obvious. We’re better hiding here.”
“I can send the helicopter.”
“No. I really don’t want her back where Drew can guess where we are. I don’t want him to have any opportunity to attack. Even if we shield her and resist him, she could get hurt. I don’t want her around the violence.”
“Are you certain no one followed you?”
“Yeah.”
“Should I send your brothers?”
Part of me thinks yes, the more men to protect Maddy, the better. Part of me thinks no, I want no distractions and all the privacy we already have. And a third part thinks no, I don’t want to risk anyone following them up here. But my brothers could take the helicopter rather than drive, so that would keep anyone from following them. And coming here was about keeping Maddy safe not have a sex retreat.
I know what the selfish part of me wants, and I know what the responsible part of me feels duty-bound to do.
I barely contain my sigh. “Yes, send them, please.”
I know they’ll give Maddy and me privacy, so I shouldn’t worry. But I don’t want to embarrass her since she’ll know they’ll know why we slip away. Then again, as spectacular as our bath sex was, maybe she’ll change her mind. Regret what we did and realize we shouldn’t get more intimate. I don’t think that’s what’ll happen, but it’s a possibility.
“They can be there in an hour.”
“Tell them to bring me some clothes. We left unexpectedly, so I only have what’s already here.”
My brothers and I are worse than teenage sisters. We can share clothes without a second thought. We share suits whenever we need to since we often have to change. Things can get messy when we’re working, or we want to be certain we leave no DNA behind. It means burning our clothes. It’s a good thing we’re all billionaires because our wardrobe costs us a fortune. We have different tastes for our more casual clothes, so I maynot love what they bring me. But I’m just glad I’ll have clean ones.
“Pablo’s here. He wants to speak to Madeline.”
Why?
I want to demand a reason my cousin, who’s known Maddy since she was a baby and had a super close relationship, wants to speak to my girlfriend. That means admitting stabbing insecurity and jealousy. Between the two of us, Pablo’s always been the one women gravitate to. They’re curious about his brooding nature and looks. I’m such a homebody that I have no patience for small talk. Women approach me, but they usually get bored quickly. I don’t date, so having a woman who enjoys the kind of sex I like made having a sub so appealing. I don’t want that anymore, so I want no competition. Reasonably, I know Pablo isn’t. But he could be.
Chapter Sixteen
Maddy
I fought the temptation to stay in the hallway and put my ear to the door. I want to know what’s happening because I’m scared Javi will decide we need to go back to the city. I won’t feel as safe there as I do here. I know Javi will ultimately decide, and I’m fine with that. I’m just tired of feeling like life is happening to me. I’ve felt so out of control for the past month while also feeling like I’ve had more control than in the past two years. The conflicting emotions are exhausting.
I trust Javi, so I made myself put one foot in front of the other until I arrived in the kitchen. I’m making pasta since there are several boxes and jars of sauce. It’s easy and fast, so we can have something quick if we’re going to leave. I’m lost in thought as I mix the sauce in with the noodles. I nearly jump out of my skin when Javi slides his arms around my waist and nuzzles my neck.
