Page 53 of His Kingdom

“No, but ever heard of the De La Sangre Cartel?” Emmanuel asks.

“Fucking hell,” I groan.

Evie ignores me. “No, should I have?”

“Probably best you haven’t. I run the organization,” Emmanuel tells her.

“Emmanuel, really?” I grunt.

“So, you’re supposed to be a big scary drug lord or something?” Evie continues to probe. “I don’t see it. You don’t look that scary.”

“He’s full of shit. That’s why. We didn’t kill Owen,” I tell her, annoyed that I’m lying to Charlotte without having much of a choice but to do it. “What happened?”

“Rachel said he was found in a hotel room. Overdosed. But it’s strange… I mean, I know the guy was an asshole, but he didn’t do drugs. He wasn’t an addict,” Charlotte says.

“We also didn’t think he wasdoingsisters but he did that too.” Evie shrugs. “I say good riddance. The asshole broke your heart. I just wish I could have been the one to end him. I even bought a shovel.”

“He didn’t break my heart,” Charlotte says. “My sister did.”

“Semantics. So, tell me more about this cartel of yours. What exactly do you do other than kill people?” Evie returns her focus to Emmanuel.

“You hungry? Let’s order food,” I interject, before my idiot friend can say anything more. I’m pretty sure Evie thinks he’s joking at this point, but you can never be too sure. Or careful.

ChapterTwenty-Six

My girls’ night with Evie has turned into us two girls surrounded by Louie’s friends. About ten minutes after Louie sat down with us, Sammie and Carlo turned up. Not to mention all the guys standing nearby in black suits, who haven’t moved an inch since we took our seats. I don’t know who they are, but they’re watching our table.

I’ve been listening to Evie flirt with Louie’s friend Emmanuel, and he is eating it up, telling her all about his home in Mexico. At first, I thought he was joking. Now, I’m not so sure.

I lean towards Louie and whisper, “He’s not joking, is he? He actually runs a cartel?”

Louie stiffens. His hand wraps around the nape of my neck and his lips press against my ear. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t leave you in a room alone with him.”

“Okay. Evie, I want to dance.” I stand and reach for her hand. There’s a small dance floor towards the front of the bar. No one is on it, but right now, I don’t care. I need to get her away from Louie’sfriend.

I drag Evie towards the dance floor, and it takes less than thirty seconds for half of the men standing around in suits to follow us.

“I don’t think that guy is joking about owning a cartel,” I tell her as I wrap my arms around her neck, being sure to lower my voice so no one else can hear us.

“I don’t think he is either.” She laughs.

“Stop flirting with him, Evie!”

“Why? A man like that knows how to fuck, Charlotte.” She laughs again. We haven’t had enough alcohol to be drunk yet, but we are both definitely tipsy.

“This isn’t a joke. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I pull her closer, rubbing my body up against hers as we dance.

“So, you’re the only one who gets to jump into bed with a dangerous man? It’s just sex. I’ll be fine.”

“Wait… You’re already planning on spending the night with him?” I ask her.

“No, I’m planning on spending a hot few hours with the man and then never seeing him again.” She smiles before her eyes dart behind me. “Incoming.”

I turn my head and see Louie walking up to us, a frown on his face. “Can I cut in?” he asks Evie.

“Be my guest,” she replies.

Louie wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me towards him. “I don’t like you rubbing up against other people,” he grunts.

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