Page 40 of The Veiling

“Is the baby okay?” I snuffed the cigar out in the ashtray.

“Healthy.” He folded his arms high on his chest. “Now tell me why the fuck you’re both looking at me like you shit your pants.”

“Hayden isn’t dead,” I announced.

His eyes widened.

“Felipe was bluffing, and Hayden wants to meet with me as soon as possible.”

“We need to leave soon,” William interjected. “Are you packed and ready to go?”

“I’ll go do that immediately. When are we leaving?”

I slid my phone back into my pocket.

William pulled out his own phone and put it up to his ear. “I have to go change our flight schedule and inform Noah and Joe.”

Valentino offered a single nod as William disappeared inside. The moment he was gone, he spun to me. “We can discuss it more on the plane, but I’m not sure I want you going to meet with him alone.”

“In case it’s a trap?”

He nodded once. “I’m going to go get ready to leave. Lock the door when you come in and text me so I can set the alarm.”

Without another word, he disappeared inside and closed the door. I stepped over to the decorative wrought-iron railing and peered out into the lighted walkways of the estate gardens. Off in the distance, security guards were making their way around the perimeter in twos, patrolling the surroundings as they did twenty-four seven.

The door opened once again, and I spun around. “Forget some—” I nestled my hands in my pockets.

Noah stepped out, coming to a stop in front of me. “Are you coming to Colombia with us?”

I remained silent, staring at him. He was dating my baby sister. My only sister. Even though I had not been around much in the recent years, I still cared about her and would kill for her. Noah, being Isabelle’s cousin and bodyguard, did not give him a free pass.

“You don’t like me because I’m dating your sister,” he bluntly remarked.

He was right, but it was not personal. I would not like any man who dated her unless I knew them. I twisted away.

“Understand one thing,” he planted himself next to me, mimicking my posture, “your sister is excited about you being back and hasn’t shut up about it upstairs. If you hurt her and run off again, I’ll tell Valentino your secret.”

I pivoted on my heels to face him, glowering. “What secret?” Shocked and confused by his accusation, I lifted a hand to my chin, waiting for a reply.

He remained silent.

“I said,what secret?” I muttered again. I had many secrets, but nothing I would mind telling my brother.

“The male patient in London died and never got a heart.”

“What are you talking about?!” I was stunned. I had made sure the man and others were saved.

“It isn’t true?”

“Where the fuck did you get that info from?”

“Joseph has a connection at the hospital in London, and I made a call earlier.”

“Your connection is wrong.” I sighed, taking a cigarette out of my pocket, and lighting it. “Listen to me, Noah. I had no reason to lie about that. I jumped through so many hoops for those people in there. I got shot. I helped save your cousin even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to do good, at that very moment.”

He arched a brow.

I waved a hand dismissively. “Not that I want praise for any of that.” I inhaled a drag deeply, exhaling it with force. “I made the right choice. I have zero regrets. But do not threaten me about Laura. She’s my sister. I will fucking killyouifyouhurt her. I made sure that man got what he needed. He’s a father and his kids needed him. Check your sources again, then come at me with your bullshit. Just make sure when you do, it’s accurate and not something you heard from a third party.” I dropped the cigarette to the concrete, twisted my heel on it, and strode to the door.

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