Page 95 of Cartel King

I hang up, leaving them to whatever conversation they’ll have. I tilt my head back, wondering what the hell to do next. I don’t think there’s much I can do until Enrique gets here. And who knows how soon that’ll be?

I turn toward my front door, where somebody’s practically pounding it down. I sat staring off into space at my desk for an hour before I remembered I was hungry. I just made myself a bowl of pasta.

I check the peephole before opening the door.

“Oh, thank God, Enrique.”

“Ellie.”

His gaze sweeps over me before he does the same thing he did the first and second time he came over. He pushes the door closed and locks it as he spins me around and presses me against it. Our lips meet. The house could fall down around us, and we wouldn’t notice. Everything feels right in the world again as he kisses me.

I feel safer, braver, stronger with him than I ever did on my own, which is saying something, considering all I’ve done over the years. I lean against him, cupping his face for a moment, then sliding my fingertips down his neck to trace the tattoo I’ve memorized and wrapping my arms around him. I hold on to him for dear life as though he might disappear if I ease my hold even a little.

When we’re both breathless, we finally pull apart. It’s my turn to sweep my gaze over him, assuring myself he’s no worse for wear after his mission.

“Daddy?

“Yes,chiquita. I’m here.”

“God, I was so worried about you, and now there’s more for us to deal with.”

“I know, little one.”

“Are you hungry? I just made some pasta. I can get you a bowl.”

“I’m starving, but in a little bit. Right now, I want you in my arms.”

“All right, Daddy, if you say so.”

I smile as he scoops me up and carries me to the sofa. I shift to straddle him and once again lean into his embrace. Having his arms around me—it feels so perfect. Right now, it’s exactly what I need.

“Ellie, let me hold you for a while. This is too perfect to let go of. I need this to convince me you’re safe. Your message scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I knew even though I told you I’m safe, you’d still worry, but I needed you to know it’s important.”

“You didn’t tell your guards about the photos.”

I sit back. “Did you?”

“No. I asked if anything unusual happened or if you needed anything. Matías said he hadn’t seen you since he left you in here.”

I don’t respond, which makes Enrique furrow his brow.

“What’s going on besides the photos, Ellie?”

“The few times I went out while you were gone before I left on my trip, Andrés and Carlos would walk to the garage or front door ahead of me. Then they would sweep the house before I went in. When we got here, all three of your men got out of the cars with me. I was going to go to the front door but decided on the garage instead, so I wouldn’t be as exposed while I waited. It was weird that none of them went ahead of me. Matías caught up to me when I looked back at them. Only then did they go ahead of me. Pedro went into the house first, and Diego waited in the garage with me. It made me feel uneasy.”

Enrique watches me as I speak, and I grow more nervous by the word.

“Ellie, I know you’re uncomfortable telling me that because he’s my brother-in-law, but your safety is a higher priority than whether he gets his feelings hurt if I talk to him about this, which I will. There should’ve been a guy going in through the garage, a guy going through the front door, and one staying with you. That’s why I assigned three men to your detail.”

Do I mention Catalina whispered something to her husband before we left? It could be nothing at all. It could be something private between man and wife.

“Ellie, there’s something else you’re not telling me about this.”

“No, I’m just trying to work out in my head if I missed something about all of that. Maybe I misunderstood how they’d planned to do the sweep.”

“There’s no reason for you to make excuses if you feel uncomfortable. If I find out you’re keeping things from me that could affect your protection, you and I are going to have a come to Jesus, and it’ll be my hand and your ass having the conversation. Which reminds me, we’re going to discuss your ridiculous altruistic offer. I will work things out with my family no matter what we are unless we don’t work out. And that won’t be because somebody else got in the way.”

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