Page 106 of Cartel King

“I’ve already figured out how much we think alike.”

“It is rather uncanny, isn’t it, Daddy?”

“It is uncanny, and that’s how I know you’re the only one I’ll ever want.”

This isn’t the right time to make any professions of love and devotion, but I’m certainly tempted. I think my feelings are already there. I’ve already considered it many times, but I don’t want to rush into saying something I can’t take back.

When he puts his hand on my thigh, squeezes it, then strokes his thumb along the outside, I think he’s thinking the same thing. Neither of us wants to make what could be a deathbed confession when we might survive. This is hardly the most romantic setting, but I also don’t want to miss the opportunity in case we don’t make it. It could all be over in a blink. I might not have time for a last-minute profession. I’m torn, but I keep my thoughts to myself.

I keep checking my mirror as we approach Enrique’s neighborhood. He flashes the headlights four times as we approach a mansion that’s enormous for one person. Men pour out of the front door. Enrique’s nephews have their guns drawn as the gates slide open. The men patrolling his property have their rifles at the ready, scattered around the circular drive and front yard.

We pull around, so I’m closer to the front door. Alejandro rushes forward to open my door. I have a moment of trepidation he’ll drag me out, blaming me for this. I get out, and immediately, the men surround me. But they’re shielding me. They’re protecting me.

Alejandro’s left hand wraps lightly around my upper right arm. He draws me backward as the men move with us, none turning away from the gate. Enrique rushes around to me just as another car swings into the driveway as the gates change direction.

“Papa!” Alejandro’s grip loosens for a moment before he realizes what he’s doing.

I glance up at the man who looks most like Enrique. I see the anguish because he wants to run to his father, but he remembers his duty is to protect hisjefeand by extension, now me too.

Men swarm forward, andTres J’sbolt to the car. They have guns aimed at Matías, who drops out of view as he leans to his right. No one shoots, but I’m not surprised he tries to stay out of sight. Jorge pulls on the door handle, but nothing happens.

My brow furrows. Something’s going on in the car. There’s someone in the back seat I didn’t notice before. The windows were too tinted, and it was too dark. But I can tell there’s a scuffle. Then there’s the sound of a key fob unlocking the vehicle. I look over at Alejandro and realize he has keys to his dad’s car.

Armed guards yank open three doors, and Jorge opens the driver’s door. Guards pull two men from the back seat. Jorge helps Matías from the car as his brothers rush back to help surround me.

“Papa!”

Alejandro shifts his focus to Enrique, who nods. He lets go of my arm and bolts to his father. Matías has blood dripping from his temple from someone pistol whipping him. He can barely stand, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s seeing stars.

“They have Catalina!”

The sentence hangs in the air before all hell breaks loose.

“Pablo,Dos J’s, get Ellie in the house. Now. Stay with her. Javier, pull up your mama’s location. Make sure she’s safe. Pablo, call your dad.”

“Sí, tío.”

Three voices respond, but I don’t budge.

“Enrique, I know that man.” I point to the one on the far side of the car who was in Matías’s back seat.

“Is he one of Tommaso’s?”

I shake my head. “He’s a mercenary, too. I’ve been on jobs at the same place as him. He never knew who I was. If they have Catalina…”

I trail off, not wanting to say what I know is a strong possibility. My gaze meets Enrique’s, and I need to say nothing more for him to understand.

“Let me speak to him.”

“No, Ellie, this is out of your hands now.”

“Do you know him?”

“No, but?—”

“Then you don’t know the easiest way to get information from him.”

“Just tell me, and I’ll do whatever it is.”

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