Page 133 of Shifting Hearts 1
When did I start caring about the comfort of others?
Since I found another Basilisk that could change the whole projectory of the coming war about to ensue.
If we stand any chance of winning the war on trafficking, I will have to be a weapon of reckoning, and she can give me that power, however fleeting it may be. Besides, she is a prostitute. I have already saved her life, and I will make her a job offer she can’t refuse.
Because with our powers combined, I would be unstoppable, and if she wants to go back to her life afterwards, who am I to stop her?
When I walked out and saw that piece of scum screaming in her face, I wanted to crush him with my bare hands. Then, when I felt her delicate hand on my shoulder, it felt like electricity pulsing through my body. The only way I could think of to protect her was to claim her for myself.
I didn’t miss the amused eyebrow pull on my uncle’s face. Thank fuck he backed me up in there; otherwise, this might have played out very differently.
“Are you sure about this,hijo?”
He only calls me son when he is very worried.
I turn slightly in my seat to see him. “You heard him in there? He wants to dominate the…trade. And we can’t allow that. What do you think he would have done with her?”
“I know. However, this will be a significant responsibility. Are you sure you have time to divide your attention like this?” he counters.
Snorting, I say, “You know, for a second there, I thought you were interested in his proposal. I almost saw myself taking you to a secluded spot and kissing you goodbye.”
His smile is devious, although we both know what I am hinting at. “Always better to know your enemy’s plan than have to guess. Besides, his arrogance played right into my hands.”
I turn back around. I almost stepped away from the only decent man I know today. Luckily, it did not come to that. However, we now face an entirely different problem.
Alvarez.
In the rear-view mirror, I see my uncle scrutinizing the girl before he asks her point-blank, “What is your name?”
She stares at him for a few seconds before she answers in a fearless tone, “What is that to you?”
I growl, “Do you know who you are talking to, little girl?”
Without flinching, she turns her head to me and says, “Last time I checked, you forced me to come with you; therefore, I owe you nothing. And before you say, 'I saved your life', I can assure you that I can look after myself. You can drop me off around the corner. I can find my way from there.”
Where I was expecting gratitude, all I get is attitude, and I see the poor attempt from my uncle as he tries to hide his smirk.
“You will be going nowhere except with me. And if you don’t want to give me a name, then I will give you one. How does ‘Viper’ sound? I like it,” I say to myself, clearly trying to bait her.
She acts oblivious to my obvious taunt. She must be a better actress than dancer. She stares out of the window, and my uncle continues the conversation in Spanish. “She seems like more trouble than she is worth. Why is she so important to you? Do you know her?”
No! But it feels like my soul does.
Instead, I keep my voice level and say, “She saved your life back there. Doesn’t she deserve the same courtesy?”
He shrugs and then says, “Fine, but you must keep an eye on her and explain this to your aunt. You know how she is.”
I certainly do. She can be a tough cookie but only when you mess with her loved ones. I am sure if I tell her the truth, she will welcome this girl with open arms. But first, I will need to make her presentable.
“Button up the jacket. I’m not going to explain why I have a half-naked woman in the back of my car at the border,” I demand.
She huffs but does as instructed.
I catch the driver staring at her in the rearview mirror, and I hit his shoulder. Hard. He winces slightly but doesn’t react. Just keeps his eyes on the road.
We are close to the border when I notice an unmarked car behind us. “How long have they been following us?” I ask.
The driver starts whipping his head around frantically, looking for the culprits. I take out my knife and plunge it into his thigh with one sudden movement. “What the fuck were you doing while our enemies were closing in?”
