Page 100 of Hostile Secret
I saved his life, and over time, he had slowly unraveled my humanity.
Relieved he’s safe, I debate removing the dog from his bed and end up patting Daenis on the head instead before I creep out of the room. The next person I need to deal with is my twin, and this particular conversation calls for a few straight shots of liquor.
Kicking off my sneakers, I move to the liquor cabinet, unscrew the lid of my finest whiskey, and fill a crystal cut tumbler.
Taking out my cell phone, I hit the dial button and wander over to the windows where the velvety night sky dominates the calm ocean beyond the glass.
I’m ready to hang up when Dré finally answers. “You’d better not be calling to tell me India is in trouble again, cabron.”
I take a sip and let the liquor warm my throat. “She is, Dré. The night she was at the bar, I had todealwith some guys who work for Carlos Blanco, and now they’re after her. We were tailed on the way home tonight.”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Gio?” André growls. “You’re meant to be looking after her, not setting her up for a casket. Jesus fuck. If anything happens to her…” I hear a door slam in the background. “I can’t leave here, not without Sinéad. We’ve just secured the Sapori mansion and now she needs to rest. Put India on a jet now. I’ll take care of the kid from here.”
I remain deathly calm, utilizing my ability to switch off emotions rather than go nuts like my twin. Dré still considers India as a young girl, not a feisty as fuck woman with tits that plague my every waking thought.
“She’s not a little girl anymore, Dré.”
André grunts. “I helped to raise her. She’s a sweet little kid in my eyes. Get her on a jet.”
“What’s the point? You need our best sicario to end this and that’s me.” I argue, swallowing more whiskey. “There’s no point sending her to Italy. I’ll get this under control and permanently eliminate the threat. India is staying here with me.”
“Who the fuck are you and what have you done with my brother?” he asks skeptically. “I had to force her on you and even that was with the promise for the shortest time possible.”
“That was before her life was in danger. Like you keep reminding me, brother, the woman isfamilia.”
“Is the lone wolf getting used to having company?”
“Is the eternal bachelor used to having the same pussy every night?” I squeeze my eyes shut and visualize India, not Sinéad.
“Do not mention my wife’s pussy again, cabron.” I hear him spark up a cigarette and exhale slowly. “I have to admit, though, it’s refreshing to hear you taking your big brother responsibilities seriously.”
“I’m not her brother, Dré.” I reiterate, taking another gulp of numbing liquor. “But I am the only man who can keep her alive. You know it and so will her enemies. Those fuckers will wish they’d never seen her pretty face. I’ll fucking rip them apart and blow the Blanco compound to shit if I have to. They won’t get anywhere near her.”
“You’re giving me the impression you like her…” He pauses for a second, and then adds, “Are you fucking India?”
I fall silent, not sure if I should tell him the truth or spare myself the argument. I don’t answer to anyone other than myself. I’m the rule maker and the life taker. But for some reason, I’d rather not share my personal struggle with India—not yet. Not when I can’t understand it myself. I need time to figure out if there’s something real between us.
The fact I haven't endured this insurmountable rush with another female isn’t just a freak exception––it’s unknown to me, an enigma.
“I swear to fuck, Gio, if you mess with her, I’ll—”
Before hanging up, I sigh heavily. “Relax, Dré. If India flies to Italy now, there’s a high probability a sicario would add to your stress. I’m doing this for you. Once things have cooled down over here, I’ll personally put India on the next jet out of Colombia.”
The truth is, as I try to convince us both of my motive and logical plan, I inwardly accept she’d only leave Blackwater over my dead body. Someday I’ll tell him that fact, but only when I’m ready.
India isn’t going anywhere.
Not now.
Not ever.
31
INDIA
I’d returned to my bedroom, showered off the aroma of death, and studied my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I’d gazed at the face of a young woman with the capacity to justify violence, an unnatural gift from an absent father.
It doesn’t explain why I wasn’t disturbed by the dead guys next to us earlier. I do blame Giovanni for that blip in my morality. The man wields an unbending authority that makes me helpless to resist him. I can’t decide if I love it or despise it.
