Page 95 of Hostile Secret
“How about we talk about the fucker who was cozying up to you on the couch?”
India groans and palms her flawless face. “Were you spying on me the whole time?”
Her friend’s house was under surveillance from the minute she’d arrived. I watched Julio Vargas and his wife leave, and monitored the arrival of a chauffeur driven Bentley.
When I saw Fabian Lozano and his buddies exit the vehicle, my brain had blipped. He’s the heir to a billion-dollar empire and the son of an advanced technologies entrepreneur.
The Lozanos might have plenty of cash, investments, and a little black book of connections, but they aren’t in the same league as the Souza syndicate. Not even close.
We rule Colombia, and men like Lozano sit in our pockets waiting for when we need them. Despite our ruthless reign, the kid has charm and good looks—and he’d wanted something that didn't belong to him––my girl.
After I’d listened to the voice message she’d left Reno, I decided to give her the chance to do the right thing—to call me so I could take her home.
My flimsy plan lasted five seconds when Fabian put his motherfucking arm around her. That’s all it took to set the fuse alight in my brain.
“I wouldn’t call it spying.”
“Really?” Her head whips around. “What would you call it, then?”
“Safeguarding an asset.” I deadpan, keeping my eyes on the road.
“Call it whatever you want, Gio. You’ve single-handedly ruined any chance I have of fitting in here. I may as well leave for Italy in the morning.”
The reality of her moving away slams into my chest. A sharp pain cuts through my heart, reminding me I have one and she’s taking up space in it.
A flash of light catches my eye in the rearview mirror. We’re not on the highway anymore, which usually means minimal to zero traffic. I’m trained to be suspicious at all times and instincts tell me this isn’t right.
“You’ll leave when I give you permission to go,” I say matter-of-factly, checking the mirror again after we speed around a bend in the road.
“Wrong. I’ll leave when Dré is ready for me. He’s my family and you have no say in the matter.”
“Really? We’ll see about that.”
Headlights reappear behind us. According to my calculations, the car had sped up at the same time as I did.
I curse under my breath, my veins jumping with adrenaline.
We’re being followed.
29
INDIA
There’s a noticeable switch in the tone of his voice.
Not only that, his entire demeanor changes. His posture straightens and a menacing blue hue from the main console settles over the tight expression on his beautiful face.
Without saying another word, the electric car picks up speed. He’s driving faster than ever.
“Oh my God, Gio… what are you doing? We’ll crash if you keep driving like a maniac.”
I grip onto the door handle with white knuckles when he takes a corner and hits the accelerator as soon as the wheels straighten.
“There’s a car behind us.”
My frown deepens. “It could be anyone.”
His jaw ticks in annoyance. “I know when someone is following me, India,” he bites out, his voice a low rumble.
