Page 57 of Corey
“And you just happened to be sneaking around down in the warehouse to see.”
“This isn’t my fault,” she stated indignantly.
“It’sallyour fault. You cost me everything, and now you’re going to pay.”
Her heart stuttered and she tugged against his grip, but his fingers dug harder into her flesh. “What’re you talking about?”
“We’re going on a little trip,” Joel informed her.
“Where?”
“Down to visit the new head of the Lazaro Cartel. Barrera is quite upset that you’ve managed to screw up our little operation. So I need to go down and make amends. Smooth things out so we can start up our very lucrative enterprise again.” His eyes coasted up and down her frame, coming to rest on her face. “I hear Barrera has a thing for pretty blondes with blue eyes. A bit of a twisted obsession, I’ve been told.”
Her stomach churned with dread.
“And you, Sera, are my peace offering.”
Oh, God.Terror tore through her as Joel dragged her out of the cabin and toward a big, black SUV.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Motley Crew was back on the private jet and almost home when Brand’s phone buzzed.
“Hey, baby,” he answered, and Corey smirked. They were all falling like dominoes for strong, smart, beautiful women. “Whoa, slow down.”
Corey sat up straighter, hearing the change in Brand’s tone. “Is everything okay?” Corey asked.
“What?” Brand’s steel-blue eyes met Corey’s, causing his gut to take a sickening plunge. “I’m putting you on speaker, Julia. Tell us exactly what happened.”
Everyone listened closely as Julia’s frantic voice filled the cabin, bringing them up to date on how she, Mitch and Sera had returned to Corey’s place because Sera wanted to check on Storm and surprise Corey with dinner.
His heart tripped. She’d wanted to do something sweet for him. Christ, he adored that woman. But then Julia told them how men showed up, taking both her and Mitch by surprise, and locking them in the shed.
A lethal look descended over Brand’s face and his hand fisted.
“They wanted us to give you a message.” Anger filled her voice.
“What message?” Brand gritted out.
“He said to back off. And he was”—her voice caught—“taking Sera.”
A chill ran through Corey as he fought to process what he was hearing.
“What else, baby?”
“He plans on giving her as a gift to the new head of the Lazaro Cartel. To make amends since their operation got shut down because of her.”
A hot rage began boiling in Corey’s blood, burning through his veins and traveling to every part of his body. “Turn the jet around,” he ordered, voice strangled.
Brand gave a sharp nod. “We’re going to get Sera back,” he stated reassuringly. “Are you and your dad okay, Julia?”
“His pride is a little hurt, but we’re okay. He’s on the phone with his contacts.”
“Good. I’m calling him as soon as we hang up.” After they exchanged I love yous, Brand disconnected the call. “Battle, tell the pilot we’re heading to Tierra Caliente.”
“Roger.” Lex jumped up and bolted to the cockpit to tell the pilot to change their course.
Corey stood, swiping a hand through his hair. His world had jolted off its axis and plunged into a death spiral. With jerky steps, he stalked down the aisle until he reached the back of the plane. Pressing his palms against the wall, his head dropped between his shoulder blades and he squeezed his eyes shut as his words came rushing back.
