Page 53 of The Veiling

“And what are you going to do about the growing public frenzy over Isabelle?” Joseph’s hand suddenly appeared in front of my face with his phone screen paused on a video.

Taking it, I pressed play and watched the footage of someone dragging a battered woman into a car who appeared to have shared Isabelle’s features. “Cazzo.”

“Yep.” Joseph cleared his throat. “That’s one of the reasons I was coming to find you. Your little stunt is causing people to turn into monsters and hurt innocent people.”

“Pull the plug on it.” I felt like shit. “Call Tanya and figure out a statement then have her contact the media on my behalf.” I furrowed my brow. “For fucks sake. Immediately.”

Noah shook his head in disgust. “Imagine if you had offered—”

“Enough, Noah.” I glanced up at Joseph. “Just end it however you have to. I trust you.”

With a single nod, he exited the room, tapping on his phone.

Attack

The following day, Joseph and Noah arranged for our attack in Colombia while the prison beneath my house was prepared for our return tomorrow. I instructed them to hide all activity from Isabelle. My intention was never to lie to her. I often conducted business beneath the house and had long before she came into my life.

She never asked questions. It was a silent understanding that whatever went on in the basement was never to be discussed. She respected that, and I loved that about her. However, this was centered around her, and she would certainly have a lot to say about it.

I wanted to make sure the cycle ended with Felipe. My plan for hiding him in captivity was not to further endanger anyone. I only wanted to keep him close enough to guard while I extracted as much information from him as I could. Then, I would end his life painfully, along with the entire drug empire he had built.

It was now 9:40 p.m. and Hayden would be arriving in the next twenty minutes to escort us to the club, where we would find the targets. Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the master bedroom, I fastened the last button on my black shirt. As I turned to pick up my holster off the dresser, Noah strode in and came to a stop in the middle of the room.

“You ready, boss?”

Scowling, I watched his reflection in the mirror as I nestled my gun to my side and slipped my jacket on. “Are you?”

He nodded once. “I know you don’t give a shit about my approval but after thinking about how you’re handling this, I agree taking him back home is the best option,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair, “even if it’s lying to Isabelle.”

I spun around, tucking my phone and wallet into my pockets. “It’s hiding the obvious to protect her. I’m not lying to anyone.”

“Call it what you want.” The corner of his lip twisted up. “I’d do the same for Laura if it meant protecting her.”

I sauntered toward the door, slapping his shoulder blade as I passed by. “If we get in and out of that club without incident, I’ll officiate your wedding to her myself.”

“I did not propose,” he grumbled, keeping my pace around the corner in the hall into the foyer.

“He’s here.” Marco lifted his gaze from his phone. “I’ll go make sure he’s alone.”

“No need.” Joseph stepped ahead, opening the front door. “We need to go now.” He pivoted to me. “I know you’re my boss but—”

“J, we’ve been doing this for years now. I know protocol.”

He bowed his head subtly. “Stay behind Noah and me.” Without another word, he spun toward the door with his palm resting on the handle of his pistol.

When we stepped outside and got close to Hayden’s car, he rolled his window down and leaned out, murmuring, “I wasn’t followed, and everything is in place. They’re already at El Leon in their meeting before they view the women.”

Joseph nodded. “Good.”

Hayden’s watchful eye shifted to me.

“What?” I arched a brow.

“No disguise?” He smirked.

I narrowed my gaze at him. “I prefer him seeing just exactly who’s coming for him.”

“Your call,” he grinned, “but I like it.”

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