Page 71 of Cartel Viper
“Yes, Javi.”
She doesn’t hesitate to agree even though I know she’s prepared to shoot if she has to. I heard her checking the chamber while I gave Joaquin the other two rifles. I shut my door just before Jorge puts the vehicle in drive. All of us are on the lookout as we leave the safety of the small building.
The shed’s tucked away on a property we also own but rarely visit. We have it as a backup but also to ensure we don’t have neighbors. Many of the properties around here are vacation homes, so it’s not unusual for them to sit empty much of the year.TíoLuis andTíaMargherita come here just enough to keep people from wondering if it’s abandoned.
It’s not long before we emerge onto the road, all of us with our eyes peeled for anyone lying in wait. Rather than going back the direction Maddy and I came from when we arrived, Jorge heads in the opposite one. Half a mile down the road, he turns off onto what’s not even a dirt path, butPapáhad trees cleared farther in to make it accessible for an SUV as large as ours.
The periodic gaps between trees are the only indicators of the path we take to get us away fromMamáandPapá’shideaway and back to a main road. Maddy keeps her voice down when she speaks, but it would be pointless to whisper since my brothers would probably hear. It just feels like a regular volume would be too loud for the situation.
“Are we headed back to the city?”
I meet Jorge’s gaze in the rearview mirror before I shake my head. “No, we’ll go toTíoEnrique’s.”
“Are you going to call Maks?” Nothing but dread fills those words.
“Do you want me to?”
It’s an unnecessary question, but I want to be sure I understand her wishes. She vehemently shakes her head.
“No, not unless you absolutely have to. I don’t want Laura to know yet. She’ll worry, and there’s nothing she can do. The fewer people involved, probably the better right now.”
She bites her bottom lip and looks toward the floorboards.
“Maddy, it’s okay if you don’t want to endanger your in-laws. I understand.”
Her gaze flicks up to me, and there’s guilt there. I cover her hand and draw it onto my lap.
“As much as I dislike them, they’re your family, so I won’t needlessly endanger them, either.”
“Thank you.” She more mouths the words than speaks.
I give her hand a squeeze, keeping it on my lap. We go back to looking out the window for any unusual movement orunexpected vehicles. It’s disconcerting that no one and nothing greets us. Rather than put me at ease, it makes me wonder where Jacob’s other men must be hiding. I don’t want to assume the men who breached the property are the only ones he brought, but perhaps that’s the case. We’re still alert, nonetheless.
Chapter Twenty
Maddy
I heard the same sound as I did before the first drone attack. I was already curled into as tight a ball as I could make myself. Javi hovered over me as a human shield. While it made me feel loved, the last thing I ever want is for him to sacrifice himself for me. I heard the bullets strike the drones, then the splash. I fully expected some type of explosion, but there was barely anything to indicate we were about to be under attack.
Once we come ashore, it’s a blur as we move through tunnels until we reach an SUV I never imagined could fit into what looks like such a small shed. There’s just enough room for us to get the doors open and climb in. Then we’re on our way. I watch our surroundings mostly in silence only responding when Javi speaks to me. It’s a quiet ride back from Connecticut into New Jersey. I grew up in northern Jersey, so I recognized the area despite taking a roundabout route to avoid the city.
I’ve spent hours of my life here playing in Enrique’s backyard. It’s like a third home to me after my parents’ and Luis and Margherita’s. As I walk through the door, I see Enrique and his new wife, Elodie. It’s strange to know a woman lives herewith Enrique, but it still feels as familiar as it always has. It’s comforting to know I’m with Javi’s family. Enrique always seems so untouchable, even though as an adult, I understand there’ve probably been countless threats to his life over the years.
I watch as Enrique whispers something to his wife before she walks over to greet me.
“I didn’t get to say more than just a passing hello at the reception, Madeline, but I’m happy we can be here to help. Whatever you need, let us know, or just go ahead and get it. I haven’t changed much about the house, so things should be where you remember them.”
“Thank you, Elodie. I really appreciate that.”
I don’t know how much more to say because I have no idea what Enrique already told her or will tell her about this situation. He’s hesitant when it’s his turn to approach. One smile is all it takes before I’m in his arms again just like I was as a kid when Laura, Pablo, and Juan would tease me about being the baby of the group. It was Enrique who always insisted they make time for me and allow me to play with the rest of them.
“Tío” slips past my lips before I realize what I’m saying.
“Madeline, you’re safe here. You know I won’t let anything happen to you. Neither will Javi nor anyone else in this family. You can stay here as long as you want.”
I lean back to look up at him and nod. “Javi said he won’t call Maks unless I want him to. Are you going to get them involved?”
He hesitates for a moment, but his gaze doesn’t waver. “Not until we know exactly who’s involved in this. This is a private family issue.”
