Page 76 of More than Paper

I move to lead Valeria out of the room, but the guard steps in front of the door. “Señor Sánchez has not given you permission to leave.”

I pull Valeria in closer to me. “I am her husband. I say when we leave.”

“Señor Sánchez says when it’s time to leave.”

“Let them go. We will resume this conversation another time,” Alejandro says from behind us.

I stare the guard in the face. “Move.”

He steps aside, and Valeria and I say nothing until we are safe in the car.

“Jamison, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—”

“Don’t apologize. I know you didn’t have any idea that was coming.”

“I never even considered he would think something like that. Santiago has been his right hand for as long as I can remember. He has groomed him to take over. I don’t know where this is coming from.”

“Whatever he has up his sleeve, I don’t want any part of it.”

“Nor do I,” Valeria assures me.

I turn into her more. “We have plenty of money to take care of your mama. Don’t let him influence you regarding her welfare.”

“I know that. You don’t have to worry about me thinking twice about this. I would never ask you to do this, nor do I want any part of it. You know my father is involved in dangerous activities. I don’t want you wrapped up in that.”

“I just wanted to reassure you. I can’t believe he would allow your mama to be kicked out.”

“It’s my father. He’s heartless.”

I chuckle. “Sorry, forgot who we were talking about.”

Valeria puts her hand on my leg. “Jamison, we’ve never defied him before. He isn’t going to just let this go.”

I sigh. “What can he do? Honestly? He can’t make me run his business.”

She furrows her brows. “I don’t know, but if there is a way to do that, he will find it.”

My gut sinks, knowing that everything she says is true. Alejandro is capable of the impossible.

16

Quinn

“It’s incredible,”Kim tells me.

“Really?”

“Yes. The beta readers are raving about your book. Have you not looked?”

“I’ve been too scared.”

“Quinn, logon. Look at what they are saying. Your stories are legit.”

My stories are legit.

Don’t get too excited, Quinn.

“Okay. I’ll log in and read the comments.”

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