Page 100 of The Savage King

“You want to save your girl? Tell me where the money is,” Javier grounds out. “You decide,amigo.”

I let out a curse.

If he moves an inch from that place, I won’t be able to send our contacts to stop these innocent people from being sold to the worst of the worst on the planet.

It’s your job to protect them.My father’s words choosing this fine time to haunt me.

But Isabelle.

Fuck you, life. Fuck you for making me choose.

Then I see Chloe's face as she stands at the front door, waving me goodbye as I head off in my fancy U.S. Marine uniform. Not knowing I would never see her again.

Isabelle is now in the same situation as she was. And time is so fucking critical right now.

Only how can I choose?

One woman? Or two hundred?

One woman who I’m in l—. Shit. I rub the back of my neck, feeling the sweat dripping.

You know you choose. Isabelle. It will always be her.

I glance out the window and clench my jaw. Fuck, how can I feel this way about her? How can I let her be more important than all the Chloe's of this world?

But she is.

And I’m me. I won’t fucking give up trying to save everyone.

“Both. I’ll double your money.” I offer as I stare at the sun sitting lower in the sky. Javier knows he has me over a barrel, but I know he’s motivated by money. The more he has, the more he can protect his loved ones.

“Triple,” he says.

I run a hand over my face. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

He’d started off the conversation by saying Ana had phoned him, worried about Isabelle. Asking him to help. Of course, Javier had decided to use that little detail to his advantage.

Good on him.

I’d be mildly impressed under different circumstances.

Apparently, he’d made a few calls and found out there was a special package being collected from a location in a nearby city.

“You don’t.”

Fuck.

“Triple. Last offer. I need that information,” I say threateningly. “You fuck me over, and I will kill your entire family, Javier. I swear to god.” When he says nothing, I add, “The first payment will be with Ana in an hour.”

I glance over at Mack, who doesn’t have a clue what’s going on, but I know he and Nate are piecing it together.

All I need is the information, and I will let Ana know where the money is hidden in her home. Getting the other two-thirds might be a little more challenging once I’m back across the border, although I’ll deal with that later.

First, I need to get my girl.

“Okay,” Javier says. “Thirty millionpesos.”

Thank fuck.I let out my breath. I would’ve given him ten times the money to have Isabelle back in my arms. Even though I’m filled with guilt, shame, and confusion about who she is.

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