Page 29 of Seductive Desires

I’m not that kind of person. I wanted nothing more than for someone to call me and say he got hit by a car and died, but I sure as hell won’t be driving the car. This argument was ridiculous.

Dmitriy looked at Liam and said something I didn’t understand. I frowned, looking between Jo and Mateo but they both just shrugged. Jo squeezed my shoulder.

“I’m going to run upstairs and get you some clothes, okay?”

I was grateful for that. The blanket she gave me covered me enough but I still felt raw and exposed. I leaned against Mateo again, closing my eyes. Liam and Dmitriy were still talking but not in English. It sounded like Russian, which didn’t surprise me from Dmitriy. It did with Liam though. He didn’t sound Russian.

They seemed to reach a decision together, nodding to each other before Dmitriy stalked off. Liam finally turned back to me.

“For now, I think you should stay here. If he’s been this persistent for this long, I think getting out safely will be difficult. If we keep you hidden, he might think you left and move on.”

I worried about letting them help and what Stephen might do, but he had a point. Stephen couldn’t stay on the road looking for me. He had to go back home eventually or he’d get questions from the family. I could stay here long enough to make him think I left, figure out where I’m going next, then disappear.

“She is not staying here, she is staying with me.”

Excuse me, say what now? I jerked back, scowling at Mateo. “No, I’m not!”

Mateo didn’t even look at me. “I have my own security, she will be safe with me.”

He ignored me! That jerk!

Liam shook his head. “You are staying in a hotel. It has too many variables. Here is safer, you can’t even enter the surrounding area without us knowing.”

I wanted to ask about that. What did he do that required that kind of security?

Mateo scowled. “I am not entertaining the idea of leaving her. She will come with me. I will take her to Columbia to hide her if I have to.”

Why were they acting like I’m not even here? Fury whipped through me and I finally convinced myself to leave Mateo’s arms. Standing, I glared at them both. “Am I not even given a say in any of this?”

Mateo actually rolled his eyes at me, making my mouth drop open. “Cariña, this is not your area of expertise. We are just trying to figure out–”

I put up my hand, silencing him. “I didn’t ask you, did I? You aren’t my boyfriend, you don’t get a say!” He looked stunned but I stood my ground, wrenching my focus to Liam. “Thank you for the offer, but I won’t put any of you in danger if I don’t have to. I can’t ask people for help. I’m sorry I came here.” I moved to leave but Mateo leapt to his feet, wrapping his arms around me.

“Don’t. You are angry and you are scared. Don’t make this decision like this.”

His hold was gentle, loose enough that if I wanted to, I could step out of it easily. That alone made me hesitate. He wasn’t trying to force me. In that moment, I wished more than anything that things were different.

“What did I miss?”

ChapterFifteen

Jo stoodby the door frowning, a bundle of clothes in her arms. She flicked her eyes between the three of us. It surprised me when I saw a flash of something then her chin went up. In that moment, she felt like a different person as she marched over to me, taking my hand and pulling me away from Mateo.

“I don’t know what the hell you are doing, but she’s been through enough without having to listen to you two argue. Get your shit together.”

She tucked me behind her, her posture defensive. Liam put his hands up placatingly. “We were just discussing where she should stay for now. We didn’t mean to upset her.”

I couldn’t see her face anymore but it was interesting to watch her put Liam in his place. The man was not someone I would want to be up against. He towered over us both, his dark beard only emphasizing his expressions. He looked like a pirate. In a suit.

“Let me guess, you were discussing it without talking to her about it. Right?”

“Jo…”

“Don’t Jo me, Liam. You did that when I was in trouble too. You can’t go all big mafia boss and shove your demands down people’s throats. It’s her life too, she gets to be a part of the process.”

“Wait…what?”

I felt Jo freeze. Mafia boss? The nurse’s rant came flashing into my head.Mafia boss, arms dealer, money launderer… My eyes went wide and I took a step back.

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