Page 111 of Darcy
Half an hour passes, and things are beginning to get chaotic again. Luckily, I’m ahead of schedule, so no one cares when I head down the corridor in the direction Gabrielle went.
Most of the crew is rushing the other way, bashing into me in their haste, and it doesn’t take long for me to realise why.
Miguel is yelling so loudly I can hear his Spanish cursing from the other end of the corridor. Unfortunately, the hall is so clear that my lingering outside will be noticeable, so as I pass the door, I slip a tiny bot from my back pocket and drop it on the ground.
It’s another hexapod, just smaller than my palm, with a camera, mic, and Wi-Fi connection. Bare bones, really, but it will do.
Ducking into the next cupboard I see, I snap my phone out and take control, directing my baby bot through the door and into the shadows of the corner. The room is clearly a disused office, but Miguel and Gabrielle have set up shop on one of the desks. She’s clutching her laptop with white knuckles as he paces in front of the window. Her cell is on speakerphone on the desk.
“Your recklessness almost cost us our lives.”Roberto’s voice echoes softly from the slim device. I shift the bot closer, only to freeze as I realise the two of them aren’t alone.
There are three security guys lined up against the wall. I didn’t see them before, but fortunately, they’re too distracted by Miguel to notice my bot.
Slowly, I edge my bot underneath a desk, trying to get a clear view of the youngest Rosales without giving myself away.
“You think I fucking planned this? It all went to shit because you brought them to a family—”
“No,mijo,”the tinny voice snaps—Joaquin this time.“It went to shit because one of us has a Belladonna in our midst. The only reason all three of us are alive right now is because those bitches don’t do collateral damage.
“The old man’s remains weren’t in the desert, which means he might still be alive. If we had been alone, that damned assassin would have wiped us out.”He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, before continuing in a more rational tone.“Which is why Roberto and I will be organising things in Houston tomorrow.”
“I can organise—”
“No. You cannot.”Roberto snaps.“This has escalated. You have proved time and time again you are not ready for this responsibility. Gabrielle has been doing everything for you, and you haven’t—”
With a roar of fury, Miguel whirls, drawing a gun from his pocket. He fires once, then twice, then again, all with deadly accuracy.
I watch with my hand clamped over my mouth as Gabrielle’s brains are splattered all over the dusty floor. The gun is fitted with a suppressor, but it’s still loud enough that I can hear it without the mic from half a corridor away.
“I am more capable than someputa pendeja,”Miguel growls.“I’ll show all of you!”
Then, without waiting for his brothers to respond, he shoots the phone as well.
Shit.
Miguel has lost it. It takes my fingernails digging into my cheek for me to realise that my hand is still over my face.
Gabrielle is dead, and if my guys aren’t careful, they could easily be next.
I stumble out of the closet, on my way to warn them, just as a voice erupts from my phone.
“What the hell is this piece of—?”
Fuck! My bot!
A glance at the screen shows me that it’s been picked up by one of Miguel’s security guys. Without pause, I tap in the self-destruct sequence, enjoying the yell of shock from the room as I flee.
“The Belladonna must be in the building!” Miguel yells. “Find her!”
Shit. Shit.Shit.
I slow down to a fast walk as I reach backstage and dive towards the explosives cage, switching my phone to silent as I frantically shove myself into looking like I’ve been here all along. Glasses. Where are my glasses?
They’re looking for a gorgeous woman. I need to nerd up and make myself invisible. Thankfully, my SG-1 hoodie is super baggy and hides my curves. With my sneakers and comfort-wear, I don’t exactly look like a femme fatale assassin.
I should’ve known that someone with the cartel’s connections would find out about my mission after that failed attempt. I’ve been too busy caught up in the band’s drama to keep my ear to the ground.
“This is a security drill!” Jackson, Miguel’s head of security, announces as I shove the frames onto my nose. “Everyone stay where you are and prepare to show your road crew lanyard.”
