Page 58 of Monster

“You have no idea of the things you speak of.”

He chuckled. “Actually, I do. If you wanted to play the hero like you always want to, you would have released her already. You would’ve put her on a plane, sent her home with hush money, and washed your hands of her once and for all. So, why keep her?”

And when I didn’t respond, Lorenzo rushed straight for my throat.

“See, I have this little theory going on that you’re growing fond of Charlotte.”

My nostrils flared at his words. “There are plans in motion that you can’t even comprehend.”

He scooted closer to me. “Then, lay out this wonderful plan of yours. Because I’d be really interested in knowing why the one man I can’t seem to kill, is so hellbent on taking down my auction ring while selfishly keeping the prized woman he purchased through that exact auction ring for himself.”

I felt him spitting on me and I had half a mind to grab my gun and splatter his brains against the tinted car windows. But, I resisted the urge. I drew in deep, even breaths to keep my temper under control and relished the one good thing about this encounter.

Lorenzo’s fucking mouth just got him into a hell of a lot of trouble.

I slowly turned my gaze toward him. “You know, there are prices to be paid for infiltrating my home, Lorenzo.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I grinned. “I mean, I should thank you for the confirmation that it was your men that came after me yesterday. But, an infiltration won’t be necessary next time.”

“Why? Because you’re already falling for the damsel in distress, so there’s no reason for someone to, say, come in and rescue her?”

My face fell flat. “I’m not falling for that woman.”

He chuckled. “You’re a lovesick puppy, and you know it.”

I lunged at him, wrapping my hand around his throat. “You take that back.”

He smiled wickedly. “The strongest responses are always due to the desperate need to keep a secret buried. Is she your secret, Mateo? Because you know that if you fall for that woman, she’ll become your greatest weakness. And, my family’s biggest target.”

I squeezed his throat. “Take it back.”

He gasped for air. “It’s just the truth, Mateo, and you know it.”

I squeezed even harder. “Take. It. Back.”

I had half a mind to let Lorenzo suffocate in the back of this car before killing the driver and disposing of everything in the fucking ocean. But, I wasn’t ready to start a war between our families. At least, not yet. So, as I drew in a sobering breath, I released Lorenzo’s neck and took pride in hearing him sputter and cough.

“I can see I struck a nerve,” he breathed.

I threw my car door open. “She isn’t for sale, and neither are the rest of those women you pluck off the streets. Just remember that I’m always watching, Lorenzo.”

He wheezed for air. “And you think we’re not?”

I didn’t bother him with a courtesy glance over my shoulder as I slipped out of the car. I slammed the door behind me and strode for my own vehicle where my driver had been waiting patiently. And with worry in his eyes. I waved at him to get him to calm down before I ripped my own car door open, sliding against the buttery leather seats that always greeted me.

And I stared out the window as we drove by Lorenzo’s town car.

“Where to, Mr. Emiliano?”

I closed my eyes. “The house. I need to pick some things up before going home.”

“Of course, sir.”

As we pulled out of the parking lot of the shopping center, I turned Lorenzo’s words around in my head. He was right in one respect: if I didn’t play my cards right with Miss Pettigrew, she might actually become a weakness. I cursed lowly to myself as I gazed out the window. I absolutely couldn’t stand it when disgusting people like Lorenzo pointed out such obvious things. It made me feel like a kid again, with no power or control over my life whatsoever.

Then again, if I played my cards right with Miss Pettigrew, I could have a strong ally in that woman.

But, I had to make sure I played my hand exactly right.

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