Page 27 of The Devil
No matter where the man goes, it always looks like he’s on vacation because of the casual clothes.
“Something tells me you’re going to give me advise whether I want it or not,” I mutter as I meet his eyes.
“You need to take Jenna.”
I shake my head. “That will only add to the trauma she’s already suffered.”
“I’m not saying you should grab her off the street.” He gives me a patient smile that manages to calm me down a little. “Lure her to you.” He thinks for a moment. “Offer her a job.” Suddenly, his face lights up. “Pretend you need a housekeeper for the house on the lake. That will get her away from people, and the guards can keep an eye on her.”
Impressed with his idea, I begin to nod. “That could actually work.”
“Of course,” he scoffs. “I tend to come up with brilliant ideas. That’s how I get most of the victims I rescue to stay on my compound.”
Santiago has always had a soft spot for victims of sex trafficking. He’s created a small village with all the people he’s saved, and it’s become self-sustainable.
A new worry forms in my mind, and as I start to walk again, I say, “I’m not sure Jenna will be comfortable living with me.”
“That’s why you’ll move here to the motel. Let her have the house to herself. We can put up security cameras so you can keep an eye on her while you deal with the MC.”
When I look at Santiago, he chuckles as he throws his arm around my shoulders. “I know. Another brilliant idea.” His expression grows serious. “You need to take care of the MC. That’s why you came to the States. Once business is dealt with, you can focus on Jenna.”
He's right.
Nodding, I suck in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Okay.”
“See, family is a good thing to have, Enzo.” We stare at each other for a moment, then he says, “It’s fucking breaking my heart to watch you go through life alone. Let me in, brother. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I’m used to being on my own,” I admit.
“I know, but it’s time for things to change.”
When he gives me a pleading look, I give in and nod. “Fine.”
A smile splits over his face, and the next instant I’m yanked into a hug.
“You’re pushing your luck,” I grumble, but instead of feeling uncomfortable, it feels…good.
He lets go and pats my shoulder while he glances at the surrounding area, which consists of trees and a fuck-ton of greenery, then he says, “I have no fucking idea where we are.”
“Motel is that way.” I point to our right.
As we begin to walk back, I glance at Santiago. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, brother.”
Chapter 8
JENNA
Over the past three days, it’s felt like I’m stuck in a trance. I’m jumpy and startle every time I hear a sound or someone comes into the store.
Mr. Cahoon only closed long enough for us to clean up the mess. He wouldn’t even give me a day off to recover from the robbery.
The ATM was replaced today, and having strange men in the store only made my anxiety worse.
And to top it off, I haven’t seen Mr. Oliveira since the night of the robbery.
When the police questioned me, I wrote down everything except for the part that I know who killed the men. I lied and said the person wore a ski mask and that he was short. I also added that he was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and had no tattoos on his arms.
