Page 154 of Seek Me Darling

I step forward automatically, tension crawling down my spine. Bodhi’s still in front of me, Matteo a half-step behind. I feel the press of his hand against my lower back—subtle, anchoring—but it doesn’t stop the flare of fury beginning to ignite behind my eyes.

My gaze cuts to the man beside Javier.

Marcus Vega.

The same man we ID'd from the surveillance footage. Javier’s favorite little lapdog. Errand boy.

Fucking perfect.

Javier wanders further into the open living area like he owns the place. His fingers trail idly across the edge of the kitchen counter as he takes a sip of his whiskey, eyes sweeping the space like he’s judging the decor. Or maybe measuring how much blood it’ll take to stain the floors.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for days,” he says idly, not even looking at us. “Imagine my surprise when I had tosearchfor you. And what do I find? A little house. Tucked away like a secret.”

He pauses as he hears Matteo’s breath catch behind me.

Javier’s dark eyes slide to him.

"You look… familiar." He studies Matteo for a beat, eyes narrowing slightly. “Have we met?”

Matteo doesn’t respond.

But it doesn’t matter. Because Javier’s already bored. Already moving on.

His attention lands on me.

And just like that, the entire room shifts.

He draws his gun.

There’s no dramatic wind-up, no threat shouted in advance. Just the cold press of metal against the side of my head before I even finish a breath.

“NowyouI recognize,” he says, almost gently. “And I have to admit—I’m a little concerned. Why would my son be playing house with a DEA agent?”

His voice softens into a mockery of surprise. “Unless… he didn’t know.”

He cocks the gun. I don’t flinch.

“Give me one good reason not to kill you.”

I open my mouth, venom already curled on my tongue—but Bodhi beats me to it.

“She might be pregnant with my heir.”

The words slice through the tension like a fucking guillotine. The gun doesn’t move, but Javier’s gaze flicks toward his son. Bodhi doesn’t blink. Doesn’t back down. He might as well have carved those words in blood.

I freeze.

What the actual fuck—my gaze dart to Bodhi, sharp enough to draw blood, but he looks dead serious. Like he’ssure.

Like it’strue.

My stomach twists. I know it’s not possible—I have an IUD, you absolute lunatic. But then Matteo shifts closer behind me, his body brushing mine.

Heknowssomething.

“Sorry, little storm. We removed the IUD,” he murmurs, barely a breath and only loud enough for my ears.

And now I want to strangle both of them.

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