Page 29 of Unorthodox
Still, Luca’s eyes widen. “Really?” he asks, his Mexican accent sharp with that word. Kind of like my own accent, it’s faint most of the time, but certain phrases and emotions bring it out. A lot of people ask if I’m fucking British. I suppose I am, by blood. My parents were both born in London. But that’s a place I’ve never been.
“Yes, really.”
Luca frowns for the first time since he’s been in my office, leans back in his chair, running his palms over his thighs, then asks, “Is it the amount of money they’re giving you for her that’s made you choose them already, or…coercion?” His eyes meet mine with the last word.
I know what he’s asking. Luca and I work with many organized crime syndicates around the world, but we operate our own businesses. We don’t answer to anyone, and aside from our own men, gangs don’t answer to us. We work alongside one another, not above or underneath.
But the Sinaloa Cartel has a lot of influence.
Persuasion.
Saying no to the wrong person in that hierarchy could end your life.
“The price,” I answer him honestly. “The coercion could’ve come, but I didn’t need to be coerced. The payment is enough, and considering I’ve agreed to wait until they’re free for drop off,” I shrug, “it works for all parties involved. Makes good business sense.”
Luca purses his lips, nodding as if he’s impressed.
“You didn’t come here for her. What do you want?” I finally ask him, cutting through the shit. As a general rule, I don’t love people. Or socializing. It should be enough I’m going to Luca’s party in two weeks, and only because he promised there’d be women to play with. Evora will sit that one out in her room opposite the hall from mine, or at the house her father pays for.
Addison and Evora have never met each other, and with people following them both and no real reason to leave their respective rooms, I plan to keep it that way.
Soon, though, after the time I’ve had with Addison and the news about Ollie, I need to…unwind. Luca’s party will be perfect for that.
Luca laughs, clapping his hands together once. “I had a pick-up nearby, and I came to extend an invitation, for my fortieth.” He waggles his brows. “To your new toy.” Shrugging, he slings his arm over the back of the chair and studies me. “I want to see her in action.”
“She’s not my property. There won’t be any action.” Bringing a slave to a party isn’t unheard of. In fact, there will be others there. But I remind myself, that’s not what Addison is just yet. In order to respect the agreement with her buyer and her father, I can’t parade around merchandise that isn’t rightfully mine. And I’m not going to fuck this up. The stakes are far too high for that.
Luca tips his head back and laughs as if I’ve told a joke. Finally, when his laughter is grating on my nerves, he dips his chin, eyes connecting with mine. “No one will touch her, brother. But I’ve seen her photos.” He smiles. “She’s hot.”
Yeah. She is.I don’t say anything to that.
He stands, slips his hands into his pockets, and my eyes go to my gun, but I don’t touch it. Instead, I fist the playing card in my own pocket.
“Up to you, Max. But she’s more than welcome.” He winks at me with those last words, and then waits for me to dismiss him.
I nod once, giving him leave, and he turns his back on me and walks to the door. Dante opens it, because Dante is always listening, and Luca walks out. Dante’s eyes connect with mine for a second, then he pulls the door closed. I know he’ll escort Luca out, so I reach for the button under my desk that locks my door automatically.
Then I bury my head in my hands, closing my eyes.
I haven’t been sleeping well lately. Not since the offer came through.
Although, truthfully, I never sleep well. But between crawling into bed with Addison, then Evora, monitoring Christopher London and whatever possible revenge he might stupidly try to exact, not to mention mending things in Miami with the police and the cartels, things have been hectic lately.
And thinking about Ollie has consumed my mind in the night. Waking and sleeping.
My nightmares have come back since I’ve tried to wean off the sleeping pills, trying to make myself ready for every possible outcome this precarious agreement could bring. No one can know about that habit, which is just another secret I add to the rest. I’ve got so many fucking skeletons in my closet it probably won’t be long before they bury me alive.
The idea ofplayingwith Addison has never sounded more appealing. A distraction. A way to stop my brother from infecting my mind.
But it’s not smart to bring her to the party. I have no idea who will be there, but I know her buyer won’t. He’s handling this war in Texas, and he seems overeager to get her in his hands. I know he’ll be in touch as soon as he’s ready for her.
Even still, it’s not a good idea.
But seeing her wide green eyes on me as I touched her in the shower, the way she didn’t cry, the way she tried to fight back…the girl is brave.
I’m not used to brave girls.
Or brave men, for that matter.
