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The brooding, quiet man I’d experienced in the beginning returned. He kept his face pointed toward the windshield, his eyes darting back and forth in a perfect rhythm.

After watching him for a minute or two, I resumed shifting through my beloved photographs. I had over a hundred of them and almost every one was of my sweet little boy. In costumes and by the Christmas tree. Playing outside on his swing and the day I’d allowed him to stop by the dog park. I’d never heard him laugh as much as he had that day.

I’d been proud of him and of us, enjoying a warm summer afternoon before finishing up the outing with ice cream cones.

Memories.

I was already praying I’d be allowed to make new ones. When I lifted my head again, I was surprised to find Alejandro staring at me just like before.

Only there was a slight difference, subtle yet easy for me to detect.

His entire chiseled face, every tense muscle and the white-knuckled hold on his weapon indicated one thing.

Total possessiveness.

CHAPTER12

Alejandro

In a world where you’re forced to pretend, to lose yourself in becoming someone you no longer recognize in the mirror, you lose track of time. One day turns into a week, then a month. Then six. When years begin to pass, you don’t bother to think about how much time you’d lost for fear of breaking down.

Most undercover agents while facing danger and discovery as an enemy every day didn’t succumb to flushing out of an assignment. It was usually about time lost, floating in a never-ending vacuum that continually sucked up your energy, your drive, and your hope of returning to your old life.

I’d tested as high as the scoring system allowed on mental stability. I’d been pushed time and time again on fears of loneliness and my inability to cope with being removed from my family. Either I’d been a fucked-up individual or I’d lied my way through the interviews and subsequent weeks of training.

Either way, I knew I was fucked up now. I must be considering I was already thinking about Carmella and her son as being my family. Hearing the crap she’d spouted off about Matheas and his threats had almost driven me to hunting the man down and murdering him in cold blood. Father or no father. I couldn’t do that. I’d be carved into pieces myself.

That didn’t mean I couldn’t find ways of making him suffer.

That’s how strongly I already felt about our union. I wasn’t foolish enough to think I had any real feelings for Carmella. That wasn’t possible or even allowed in my position, but the aspect of full domination was right up the alley of men working in syndicates. I’d seen the narcissistic and possessive behavior in two dozen men who believed women should bend to their will.

I’d laughed at them, poking fun at any given chance. Now I was one of them.

“We’re almost there,” Gio said from behind us.

“Any issue with the decoy?” I scanned the area, constantly on edge. While I was certain we weren’t being followed, the plan enacted would only buy so much time.

“None so far. They haven’t seen anyone following them. Should I bring them in?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I have a gut feeling that I need to follow through with my intention.” Could they be deadly to the soldiers I’d selected for the task? Sadly, yes, but I wasn’t allowed to care. “The invitations were handled successfully?”

Invitations to a select number of guests who would continue joining in the festivities. Another thing I couldn’t give a shit about.

“They were. I have confirmation the families arrived without incident.”

Carmella leaned back, her entire body tensing like before. “My son. I need to see my son. You promised.”

Gio was noticeably uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Banderas,” he told her. “He’s with your stepmother and sister.”

“You’re not lying to me?” she pushed.

Gio threw me a slightly exasperated look. He was well aware he was now required to follow her orders as well. To a point. I’d yet to explain the rules to her and hadn’t planned on doing so tonight. Karma night intervene, requiring me to spoil whatever festive time we had left.

“No, ma’am. I wouldn’t lie to you. The boss would cut out my tongue.”

I chuckled slightly. The truth is I would if I deemed it necessary.

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