Page 33 of Cartel King

“I know, little one, but we’ll sort it out if it comes to that.”

“All right. I know you need to go, so I don’t want to delay you.”

“You aren’t a delay, little one. I may have to deal with something, but it’s not more important than this conversation.”

“Thank you.”

We kiss once more, and I watch him walk out of my bedroom. I can’t hear the door close downstairs, but my bedroom looks out over the front yard. The motion sensor light at the front door flicks on. I don’t want to watch him walk away, so I finally pull the covers up.

It takes me ages to fall asleep, but when I do, I’m passed out until morning. When I head outside for Constantine’s morning walk, there’s a car parked in my driveway with a guy sitting in it. I approach the passenger side and lean forward. He winds down the window, and we stare at each other for a moment.

“Good morning, Ms. McCann.El jefeassigned me as your guard for today. I’m Andrés. My partner, Carlos, is across the street tucked away in the trees. That car is still parked with a camera pointing toward you.”

I don’t straighten, but my gaze darts in the car’s direction. I’d seen it, but I hadn’t given it much thought. I’m not a nosy neighbor, even if I am aware of what goes on around me.

I nod. “Did Enr—el jefe—say anything about whether I can still go for walks?”

Andrés smiles when I catch myself, uncertain how informal I can be. Obviously, this guy knows Enrique and I are involved. If he was staked out here last night, then he knows how long Enrique stayed.

“El jefesaid we’re to watch out for you while you keep your routine. If you need to go anywhere, then we go with you.”

“All right. Thank you.”

I can be gracious, even if I don’t like this arrangement. I’d rather not have anybody monitoring my coming and going. But it seems like somebody may already be doing that. It’s reassuring to know at least some men are on my side.

I take Constantine to the top of the road, but I don’t go into the park. There are too many blind spots. I’ll run if I have to. But what if I were to injure myself and get stuck barely able to hobble? As I walk up my driveway, I pull out my phone and tap on the group text I have with my boys.

Me

I’m sending you a link to a video call in five minutes. Unless you’re doing something for him you will get on this call.

My boys know who I’m talking about. They also know it’s rare for me to demand anything of them these days. I put out food and water for Constantine before heading into my office. I didn’t open the curtains or the blinds this morning. I leave it that way. I set up the video call and send out the link before I hop on. I make sure the signal jammers are on, so no one’s monitoring my calls. Enrique’s not the only one with more secrets than the Vatican.

Hunt’s the first one to join me. “Mom, what’s going on?”

“Let’s wait for your brothers. It’s not an emergency, but it is urgent.”

A moment later, my other two boys appear on screen.

“Mom?”

“It’s all right, Will. I’m not dying, and neither is anyone else. But I need to speak to you guys about something. Did you go digging when I asked you not to?”

“No.” All three of them answer at the same time.

“Are you having me watched instead?”

“Mom, who’s watching you? What’s going on?”

Will jumps in, but he’s no more overprotective of me than the others. I’m certain that’s what they all want to know.

“I noticed a car parked a couple houses down that isn’t usually there. I haven’t seen anybody coming and going from it, but there’s a dash cam pointed toward my place. So be honest. Are you watching me?”

“No.” Steve answers for all three.

“Are you watching Enrique when he comes and goes?”

“No. But should we? Is he the reason why?”

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