“Anything yet?” He knows what I’m asking.
“I’ve just picked up three girls. The judges aren’t talking, so I thought I’d change tack,” he says.
My brows raise. “For the love of God, tell me you’re not torturing fucking pageant girls.” He also knows I’m trying to switch things up in the organization, and not targeting innocent fucking women is the start of that.
“No. I’m trying out other methods of persuasion.”Paz smirks. I suppose using his charm is better than torture.
“Heard anything from Alejandro?”
“Not yet,” he says.
I stand and start pacing the room. “There has to be something. I know something happened and I want to fucking know what it is,” I growl, my fingers combing through my hair. “Someone has to know something.”
“She still won’t say?” Paz quirks a brow.
“No,” I tell him. “I’m not pushing her to open up about something that causes her so much fucking pain.”
I’ve thought about it, but whatever happened to her was bad enough to be giving her nightmares years later. And I’m guessing it’s why she doesn’t sleep as well.
“She wants to go home,” I grumble. Evie is determined to go home now that our week is coming to an end. “Have the jet ready tomorrow night.”
“Will do. You going with her?”
“I’ll fly with her, but then we both have to return to the estate. I need someone else on her,” I say, hating that I need to take Paz back with me. But he’s the most trusted man in my organization and there’s a lot of shit to sort through back home.
“I’ll send Enrique. He’s the closest to her town,” Paz says.
“Make sure he knows what will happen to him if a single hair on her head is touched.” I hate having to leave Evie, but I can’t force her to stay with me. I need to give her the opportunity to want to stay first.
My phone pings with a message from the front gate.
Front Gate: Mrs. Lopez is here. She wants to see you.
“Fucking hell,” I groan. My parents never officially married but that didn’t keep my mother from taking my father’s name or him from considering her his property.
“What?”
“My mother is here.” This is the last thing I want to deal with right now. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate my mother. I’m just not ready for her to know about Evie.
“Want me to do anything?” Paz asks.
“No, I’ll deal with her. Hopefully, I can get her to leave before she finds out I have a… guest.” I choose my words carefully so Paz understands my meaning, then send a message to the gate, instructing the guards to escort my mother to the front door.
Paz follows me out to the foyer. The door flies open right as we approach. “Emmanuel,why on earth am I being stopped from entering my own son’s house?” My mother kisses my cheek at the same time she’s chastising me.
“Because we’ve increased security,” I tell her.
“Mrs. Lopez, it’s good to see you,” Paz greets, and my mother gives him one of her disapproving looks.
“I hope you’re keeping my son out of trouble in this god-awful city. Why have you two been hanging around so much lately?” she asks.
“I have a call I have to make. It was good to see you, Mrs. Lopez.” Paz walks away, likely trying to avoid the interrogation.
“Ma, come into my office.” I hold my arm out towards the hall, leading the way.
“I’m not here on business, Emmanuel. I’m your mother,” she replies, crossing her arms over her chest while digging her heels into the ground.
“Fine, come to the sala then.” I turn, knowing she’ll follow me. “Want a drink?” I walk over to the small bar trolley in the corner and pour myself a tequila.
